Cartridge alignment

[rusty bearing]

Morning all, I've used the free ones from the internet for aligning carts so far but I feel that I could do better:scratch:. I wondered what people used, recommend, or not?

[chris@panteg]

Have you tried the Vinyl Engine one's ? I use the SME supplied protractor and an old Townshend one I got with a copy of Hifi Choice back in the 80's:wheniwasaboy:

[Clive]

I know some don't agree with me but....I find using just a 2 point protractor a frustrating hit and miss process. What works far better for me is to set the overhang correctly first. I use a Dr Feickert disc and overhang tool, here's a link to his latest version: http://www.feickert.de/PDF/Protractor_BDA_2011.pdf

I know people who've made their own version for peanuts.

The issue I have with using a protractor without setting overhang first is that you are trying to setup the cartridge fore and aft and well as laterally at the same time. It's all to easy to get the seemingly alignment close with the overhang wrong. If you have a line contact or other type of fussy tip this will matter.

You can get alignment right using just a protractor but it's not easy or quick for most mortals.

[YNWaN]

I would certainly start by setting the correct record centre to arm bearing centre distance.

[rusty bearing]

I do use the vinyl engine ones currently and they do the job....I've just got this feeling that I could be doing better.
I must admit the Dr Feickart looks to be 'the business' but at a price. It may indeed be what I decide to get unless there is something in between?
To be fair I'm using £2-400 MM carts rather than MC (tempted to try one though) but they all repay a little care with setting up?

[Clive]

I do use the vinyl engine ones currently and they do the job....I've just got this feeling that I could be doing better.
I must admit the Dr Feickart looks to be 'the business' but at a price. It may indeed be what I decide to get unless there is something in between?
To be fair I'm using £2-400 MM carts rather than MC (tempted to try one though) but they all repay a little care with setting up?
My £220 MM has a line contact tip needs very careful setup. I don't suggest you splash out on a Feickert unless you're very flush or can share the cost with some mates.

Some other products are suggested here: http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/cartbasics.html

You could work out the geometry yourself and make a template for your specific arm & cartridge.

[Rare Bird]

hope you don't mind me sharing the bed rusty :eyebrows: but im looking for sugestions for a good cheap digital styli pressure scales, i dropped mine & wont work anymore :doh:

[rusty bearing]

Share away sir, I'm sure we're all very open minded here:lol:
Thanks for the link Clive....

[Barry]

This (http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=358169#post358169) might be of interest.

It is very difficult to set up the overhang with sufficient accuracy. Ideally it needs to be within 0.1mm of the correct amount. The best way to do it is to use an alignment protractor. Provided the two null points are within 0.25mm of their correct position, the overhang will be correct.

[YNWaN]

I do use the vinyl engine ones currently and they do the job....I've just got this feeling that I could be doing better.
I must admit the Dr Feickart looks to be 'the business' but at a price. It may indeed be what I decide to get unless there is something in between?
To be fair I'm using £2-400 MM carts rather than MC (tempted to try one though) but they all repay a little care with setting up?

To be honest, unless you intend to set up a lot of different deck/arm/cartridge combinations you don't need the Dr Feickart. If you only need it to work with one arm you can easily make your own, or even just use a good quality ruler.

[rusty bearing]

Hmm. Lots to ponder. Thanks guys
Anyone got a suggestion for replacing Andre's broken scales?

[Barry]

Hope you don't mind me sharing the bed Rusty :eyebrows: but I'm looking for sugestions for a good cheap digital styli pressure scales, I dropped mine & wont work anymore :doh:

How cheap is cheap André? There are several digital scales designed for jewellers available on-line for about £30. Despite their attraction, you only need scales that are accurate to 0.1g, those that claim a readout to 0.01g, may have the resolution but not necessarily the accuracy.

Also, it doesn't matter if the weighing platform is not at the same vertical distance as that of an LP, the error in measured tracking force due to the change in VTA, will be much less than the accuracy of the scales.

[awkwardbydesign]

How cheap is cheap André? There are several digital scales designed for jewellers available on-line for about £30. Despite their attraction, you only need scales that are accurate to 0.1g, those that claim a readout to 0.01g, may have the resolution but not necessarily the accuracy.

Also, it doesn't matter if the weighing platform is not at the same vertical distance as that of an LP, the error in measured tracking force due to the change in VTA, will be much less than the accuracy of the scales.
Bear in mind some of these are magnetic. Mine is, so I use a block of polystyrene with shiny card stuck on top, this raises the level up to disc height and gets away from the magnetic problem.

[maxrob200]

I still have my trusty Denessen Soundtracktor as well as several two point alignment gauges which I have found to be very accurate

[Clive]

Here's a useful link to a description of overhang:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttadjust.html#OVER

[Barry]

hope you don't mind me sharing the bed rusty :eyebrows: but im looking for sugestions for a good cheap digital styli pressure scales, i dropped mine & wont work anymore :doh:

How about this one André? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360254696367?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

£6.80 can't be bad.

[keiths]

How about this one André? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/360254696367?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

£6.80 can't be bad.

They look identical to the ones I use. Non-magnetic too.

[mike1210]

I use a Mintlp one

http://mintlp.com/best.htm#spot

ordered a custom one for my Jelco 750 on my 1210

Great service fair play:)

[Audio Al]

Any of these any good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=stylus+scales&_sacat=0&_odkw=record+arm+scales&_osacat=0

[chelsea]

Look in any other section than audio and they are at least half the price.
As soon as it goes under hi fi the prices soar.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-SCALES-0-01-ACCURACY-100G-CAPACITY-FREEPOST-UK-/360254696367?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement _Equipment_ET&hash=item53e0da6baf

[chelsea]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/500g-0-1g-Digital-Pocket-Mini-Weighing-Scales-UK-Stock-Free-Shipping-/320952328054?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement _Equipment_ET&hash=item4aba3fdf76

[Rare Bird]

How about this one André?

£6.80 can't be bad.

Bought one :eyebrows:

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/scales.jpg

[seoirse2002]

Bought one :eyebrows:

http://i1075.photobucket.com/albums/w425/ELPFAN1968/scales.jpg

Hi Andre,
When you get it and use it will you let me know if its any good?
Looking for one myself:)

[Tarzan]

Hi Andre,
When you get it and use it will you let me know if its any good?
Looking for one myself:)


x2:)

[Rare Bird]

Hi Andre,
When you get it and use it will you let me know if its any good?
Looking for one myself:)

That is it sat on our dinner table..Quiet nice quality, im fussy swine aswell.. Seems to work great, i put a little pad on it as not to damage the styli tip..if you switch it on after you placed the pad it defaults to 0.0g. switching on then adding the pad will obviously clock weight up.