Turntable Setup by Ear?

I set up an Ariston rd11e with a Grace707mk2, and ADC Xlm 3(then a Koetsu Rosewood) by ear(I was a broke student, and it was in the early Linn LP 12 years.). Yes, you can hear what everything does(including the springs). In fact, I would suggest that until you know what everything does, it's a bit of guess-work to an extent. I did use objective parameters as a guiding light, though. You should use objective parameters(level, gauges, etc.)to start with, and, now, I don't like to have too many variables. I tried the same with an Oracle Delphi 11, and I just couldn't really hear what the springs did(and the bounce was never correct[I've seen on youtube the same table with a perfect bounce.]). Later, I did just okay(the armboard was never really even with the top plate-and it was me, not the armboard.)with an Ariston rd110, sumiko arm, and many cartridges. I think you set it up objectively(scales, etc.), then extremely slightly change something in one direction, then back in the other(slowly), until you start to hear what those adjustments do. Then you will know where to put it. I'd also suggest you don't worry about, if changing one thing affects another thing(it complicates the thinking too much.). It doesn't hurt to be reading about these things during the same time(I had a lot of time back then.) If you start to get confused, you are on the wrong track, and need to go back to where it was simple.

Use the tools for initial set up and fine tune by ear.

What tools? Eye and ear for me.

What tools? Eye and ear for me

That's like finding a black cat in a dark room. It can be done but it easier with the lights on.

so far i have had better success after a day of doing it by ear than 2 years using tools, maybe i know how to follow directions which leads me to another question. Does any not use a felt mat or cork or any other material on their platter? Vinyl on glass????