end of side distortion

[Lynster]

Thanks for publishing your efforts Ken. I've now tried your protractor with a Shure M95/SAS cartridge that is currently on my TT and I had already set up using the Technics plastic tool and the protractor made it so simple to do this. Great way to go for future set ups from scratch if using the Technics alignment.

Upon checking, it appears my existing set up was spot on and has always sounded great so the little tool can work well but then I may simply be very lucky and without any of the variables you listed applying in my case. However, whilst the tool can achieve an accurate overhang quite simply and quickly, I remember that getting the sides correctly aligned without an accurate printed grid to help took me ages.

Incidentally, I've always used the Technics alignment for two of my cartridges without having sufficiently long head shell grooves (standard Techy head shells) to accommodate and have used Baerwald for two others, one with a Jelco head shell and plenty of adjustment room. But I've always been very pleased with the standard alignment on the first two so I may start experimenting with the others now that your protractor adds to my set up accuracy.

[Qwin]

Lynton - Exactly.
Its good, even if you just use the protractor to check your arm/plastic gauge gives the right set up.
At least you can then use it with confidence.
If anything is slightly out it will show up and you can use just the protractor in future.
As you have found, if everything is spot on with the arm and all its fixings, the two methods should give exactly the same result.
You should be able to set the cartridge with the plastic gauge then put the cartridge over the correctly positioned protractor and the stylus should line up with both null points at the correct angle.

I've been perdantic with the explanations in these posts so that any folks inexperienced at cartridge alignment can understand and benefit from them.
I think if you look at the way I have drawn the protractor, I have left all the critical arcs and angle construction lines, it helps folks understand why the cartridge changes angle as it sweeps accross the record and how it is at right angles to the groove only at the two null points.
It certainly helped in my understanding.

If anyone is interested in how much difference there is between Technics and Baerwald alignment, check out this drawing I did, where I have overlaid the two alignments:

http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Pics/Technics v Baerwald.pdf

Its strange how the grid squares line up, even though the effective length, null radii and offset angle are different between the two, but thats Maths for you.

Do not use this for setting up a cartridge, it will be confusing, stick to using the instructions and protractor on post #24.

[serendipitydawg]

I've bookmarked this thread & will print out the protractor & align a cartridge over the weekend.

Not sure what it'll be yet; a hot favourite is a pristine Grado F1+ I found in a box in the attic recently.

I will report back in due course.

Thanks again

It took until today to find time to use your protractor in earnest, Ken.


It all went according to plan except that it took much longer than anticipated.

My initial observations:

1) I am not sure my alignment skills are fully formed. So I will check it all again, tomorrow.
2) I need to get my eyes tested. And stop relying on pound shop reading glasses
3) I am amazed at the differences in sound quality caused by different mats. Initially I just used a bootlg Technics logo one
that was left with the deck. Then a sorbothane mat found with the Grado F1 plus cartridge in the attic. Finally a cork & rubber compound one that I bought cheaply on eBay to go with a Thorens TD160 I have. Better & better sound as I changed mats.

Still a work in progress then. More later

[walpurgis]

Takes me moments to adjust alignment and I never get mistracking with any cartridge. I just use a forty year old card protractor that came from an ancient Hi-Fi magazine. I've got fancy ones, but don't bother with them. And I use cartridges that are not cheap!

[struth]

Ive used a geo disc for years. works fine and is easy to use....am on my second one actually.

[indy]

Qwin
Tnank you for your ideal protractor ! Because I've also had the Inner Groove Distortion in the end of record's side on Technics SL-1210Mk2 when using by stock Technics gauge and Baerwald alignment protractor.

[Haselsh1]

3) I am amazed at the differences in sound quality caused by different mats. Initially I just used a bootlg Technics logo one
that was left with the deck. Then a sorbothane mat found with the Grado F1 plus cartridge in the attic. Finally a cork & rubber compound one that I bought cheaply on eBay to go with a Thorens TD160 I have. Better & better sound as I changed mats.

Yes, I was too. I settled on a Funk Firm Achromat as this gave, in my system, the biggest change in sound.

[Qwin]

Qwin
Tnank you for your ideal protractor ! Because I've also had the Inner Groove Distortion in the end of record's side on Technics SL-1210Mk2 when using by stock Technics gauge and Baerwald alignment protractor.

Your welcome, glad it helped you.
I'm surprised more people don't use it, as far as I'm aware its the only one which uses the geometry and null points for the Technics arm. Technics use slightly different alignment to those normally used.

[Bacek]

For me end of side distortion desapired when I have switched from at95 to denon dl110 on same alignment. I have used template generator na Baetwald alignment.