Test LP's Worth it?

I have a Shure test record and it is invaluable in testing resonance with arm and cartridge. Make sure the test record you get has this test included!

There are some on Ebay for $20. It is called Shure era IV TTR 115.

I have both the HFN Test Record and the Cardas Test Record. IME using the HFN I would not depend on it for anti-skate adjustment. It tends to cause overcompensation for A-S. I found better results using the dead wax tracking method (you can find it by doing a search on AA) and then music to fine tune.

You don't need to drop $299, but do consider spending $110 for a Mint protractor (or similar, except that AFAIK there is nothing similar - Wally Tractors being difficult to get).

The Mint is worth its price. Most owners report audible improvements vs. generic and less precise protractors like the MoFi disk.

This comes from a guy who's comfortable with measuring - I used to spend hours on all that - but who now prefers listening to music (albeit with a highly optimized rig). For nearly any cartridge setup, the Mint and a decent VTF scale are the only measuring devices I use. To me they're indispensable. Everything else measures something I can set better/faster by ear or don't particularly need to know.

I agree with Dougdeacon to get the Mint or Wally Tractor. have both for my arm. There is little to choose between them. Get a lighted magnifier to aid setup.

In addition, I would a decent digital scale to measure tracking force as well as something like the KAB Speedstrobe to set the turntable speed. I would rate these three tools as more important than a test record.

Next, VPI makes an Aluminum Rod that is handy for initial setting of azimuth. Any light straight object can be substituted. Same with Wally VTA Gauge I use to set initial VTA. Mark 1 Eyeball and a index card is a less expensive alternative :)

As for test records, I use three. I have the Cardas one because my Wally Analog Shop uses some test tones from it in setting Azimuth. I use the Hi-Fi News one for general set up, as well as the Telarc Omnidisc.

I finalize setup by adjusting by ear while playing my favorite LP's

I absolutely hate setting up cartridges. The one good thing about it is that once setup is done, it generally sticks. I check everything a couple of times a year just to make sure.