Fitting Cartridge To Technics Headshell

[ceejaydee]

It has been a while since I fitted a cartridge to a Technics headshell - over ten years in fact so when I made a start on fitting my new Stanton 500V3 last night I felt a little rusty in this art.... Seemed like a very, very long time ago.
(didn't need glasses for close work back then either!) :wheniwasaboy:

Now last time I seem to remember being rather unhappy with the white plastic Technics setting jig - fine for setting the 52mm overhang but I was and remain uncomfortable with lining up the tip of the stylus with the relevant v in the jig because when l have the stylus lined up the cartridge sits at an angle in the headshell and does not look central in the headshell either (as in lined up with an imaginary line running along the axis of the headshell and onto the tonearm)

Could it possible that my jig is a little wonky now, should I line the cartridge up by eye or am I being a little bit too fussy about it all? :doh:

I am also curious about setting up the height of the tonearm - my cartridge is 16mm thick which is a setting of 2.5 on the ring but should I take into account the extra 1.5mm thickness of the spacer and adjust the tonearm height as if the cartridge is 17.5mm thick?

Also spacers - I've seen that the little plastic washer strip supplied with the new cartridge should be used between the headshell and the spacer to provide isolation between the two yet I have seen other 'guides' where it is omitted - which is the better method?

All information regarding the set-up of this cartridge is welcome as I also have a Goldring Elektra to fit into another headshell for exclusive use on my new and more valuable records and I really want to get the set-up right.

Also interested in suggestions for any tools that would make the set-up process easier.

Thanks in advance for any replies :thumbsup:

[Qwin]

Hi Christopher
I am not familiar with the cartridge/spacers you mention but a good starting point, when you have decided whether to use them or not is to set the arm parallel with the platter. Put the needle down on a stationary record and place a piece of ruled paper or card behind the arm and resting on the record. Adjust the VTA ring till the arm looks parallel with the lines when viewed from the side. The sweet spot of your cartridge may be higher or lower than this but it is a good start and a reference point, so make a note of the number on the VTA ring before further tweeking by ear.

As for alignment, use a protractor. I couldn't find one for the specific geometry that Technics quotes for the stock arm so I drew one.
Find it here: http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Pics/Technics Alignment Protractor.pdf

and instructions on how to use it here: http://www.jkwynn.co.uk/Pics/Instructions for Technics Protractor.pdf

Hope that helps

[ceejaydee]

Many Thanks for the informative reply Ken :)

I've had a look at your protractor and read the instructions - I'll print them both off and have a go at fine tuning my set-up tomorrow.

My previous cartridge set-up was ok and no doubt the new Stanton will be too as it is a spherical type stylus which I understand is quite forgiving in terms of alignment. However I really want to improve my accuracy in setting-up so that when it comes to fitting the Elektra and other elliptical cartridges in the future I can get the best performance from them and minimise wear on my precious vinyl.

[Tarzan]

What Stanton is it Chris?

[ceejaydee]

What Stanton is it Chris?
It is a Stanton 500 V3 Andy.
I had a 500 AL II on there previously which I fitted some ten years ago when I bought the TT new.
I was never 100% happy with the way it all lined up using the Technics jig but as it was my first time fitting a cart to a headshell (previous Technics TT had a P type fitment) and as it sounded ok I left as was when I took the 1210 out of hibernation.
However I want to get it right this time and learn for future reference :thumbsup: