hlov Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 Hi all, I have installed a new ortofon bronze in my rpm 4 turntable, didn't use any special tool just the screwdriver provided and I have adjusted the counter weight and tracking force according to the manual, is there any chance to damage my records, cartridge or TT? The reason I'm asking is because the sound quality is amazing so maybe I was lucky and got it right with out any tools. Cheers H
Guest Muon Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 You may have got it near right, but I would grab an alignment protractor and check it. A poorly alighted stylus will wear unevenly.
gparker777 Posted June 29, 2013 Posted June 29, 2013 hlov, You don't need all the special gear to get it right. do you have a paper protractor? If not that is worth doing as a check that you have the cartridge correctly positioned and you can print these out from online sources. Also use a magnifying glass to ensure the needle is vertical in the groove of a record. It doesn't have to be harder than that in my view. Enjoy!
andyr Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 hlov, Also use a magnifying glass to ensure the needle is vertical in the groove of a record. It doesn't have to be harder than that in my view. Enjoy! So with your magnifying glass, you can guarantee it is 90 deg in the groove ... and not 89 or 91 deg? Regards, Andy 1
Warren M. Posted June 30, 2013 Posted June 30, 2013 hlov, You don't need all the special gear to get it right. do you have a paper protractor? If not that is worth doing as a check that you have the cartridge correctly positioned and you can print these out from online sources. Also use a magnifying glass to ensure the needle is vertical in the groove of a record. It doesn't have to be harder than that in my view. Enjoy! Have you seen those templates you can print off, which show how long your member is? Where no one is smaller than 7 inches? Well you have just about as much chance of getting it right with a magnifying glass and a paper protractor as with one of those templates. Sorry hlov but you are dreaming if you think you can easily optimise overhang and azimuth that way. As for the difference between the sound of perfect alignment and being out by as little as 1/2mm, it is mind-blowingly large!!! Cheers, Warren 1
hlov Posted July 5, 2013 Author Posted July 5, 2013 Hi guys, Thanks for the response, can anyone post a video link about how to use the protractor, I have printed the basic one from vinyl engine and I'm able to see that the needle sits perfectly in the middle of the cross in the protractor, but I haven't changed anything since I installed the cartridge, or maybe I should get something like http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ortofon-Cartridge-Alignment-Protractor-Turntable-/281110174749?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=ztxhALL8mcSHJ0NmxQBceCbNJrA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc Cheers H
eman Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Hi all, I have installed a new ortofon bronze in my rpm 4 turntable, didn't use any special tool just the screwdriver provided and I have adjusted the counter weight and tracking force according to the manual, is there any chance to damage my records, cartridge or TT? The reason I'm asking is because the sound quality is amazing so maybe I was lucky and got it right with out any tools. Cheers H DON'T PANIC. Sounds good ? Play the record. 1
hlov Posted July 5, 2013 Author Posted July 5, 2013 DON'T PANIC. Sounds good ? Play the record. Hi, as I said in my original post, sounds great
evil c Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Don't mean to be critical but hearing tests alone with cartridge alignment are a poor indicator of the true story - did you measure both points on the protractor & did it align perfectly going from one point to the other? I have found it impossible to properly align my cart with some protractors with my cart offset by 20 degrees trying to go by their measurements! It took me several different ones till I settled on the ideal one for my rig Hearing tests are only applicable if you know how your set-up sounds when perfectly aligned / configured. Just my POV. 1
zipstartcanoe Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 I am about to endeavour to setup my first TT and am similarly concerned about cocking it up. Was thinking about seeing if a decent hifi shop might provide the service ?
Toma Audio Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 Hi all, Any decent audio outlet into turntables should have a protractor of good quality and be able to set it up properly for you, or give you the right advice on how to do it. Personally I get far too fussy on the setup and alignment of a turntable........ Because I feel it makes a worthwhile difference. Just my ten cents. Cheers,
Toma Audio Posted July 5, 2013 Posted July 5, 2013 PS if you want one of those Ortophon protractors PM me.
hlov Posted July 5, 2013 Author Posted July 5, 2013 Don't mean to be critical but hearing tests alone with cartridge alignment are a poor indicator of the true story - did you measure both points on the protractor & did it align perfectly going from one point to the other? I have found it impossible to properly align my cart with some protractors with my cart offset by 20 degrees trying to go by their measurements! It took me several different ones till I settled on the ideal one for my rig Hearing tests are only applicable if you know how your set-up sounds when perfectly aligned / configured. Just my POV. Hi, No I don't have any idea how to do it, do you have some guide for it?
evil c Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Just go to the vinylengine site, go to cartridge alignment protractors and download a couple of them at 100% scale. You should be able to obtain all the information you need. Cheers, Clive.
Batty Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 A stylus balance is a good purchase too as the graduations on the counterweight are not always accurate.
Saxon Hall Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Just go to the vinylengine site, go to cartridge alignment protractors and download a couple of them at 100% scale. You should be able to obtain all the information you need. Cheers, Clive. That is an interesting site. Not a clue what it all means but interesting nevertheless. Do you need to be a member of Mensa to understand it? http://www.vinylengine.com/protractor-user-guide.shtml
andyr Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Don't mean to be critical but hearing tests alone with cartridge alignment are a poor indicator of the true story - did you measure both points on the protractor & did it align perfectly going from one point to the other? I have found it impossible to properly align my cart with some protractors with my cart offset by 20 degrees trying to go by their measurements! It took me several different ones till I settled on the ideal one for my rig Hearing tests are only applicable if you know how your set-up sounds when perfectly aligned / configured. Just my POV. Have you tried an arc protractor - like Ken Willis's "AccuTrak"? Or the "Wallytractor"? They're indispensable, Clive, IMO - if you haven't used one and would like to see how they work, as you're in Vic, you could come over to my place and I will demonstrate both. Regards, Andy 2
GregWormald Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Please relax. Good alignment is possible. Perfect is not.--Why? There are at least 3 theories on what constitutes a "perfect" alignment, and they all give different measurements. For some people, perfect alignment means adjustments for each LP. In my world it's all about the music. Greg 3
hlov Posted July 6, 2013 Author Posted July 6, 2013 That is an interesting site. Not a clue what it all means but interesting nevertheless. Do you need to be a member of Mensa to understand it? http://www.vinylengine.com/protractor-user-guide.shtml Cool, now make more sense, I have downloaded the stupid protractor but no clue how to use it, guess I'm not so stupid
evil c Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Have you tried an arc protractor - like Ken Willis's "AccuTrak"? Or the "Wallytractor"? They're indispensable, Clive, IMO - if you haven't used one and would like to see how they work, as you're in Vic, you could come over to my place and I will demonstrate both. Regards, Andy Thanks Andy - appreciate the offer and will be happy to take you up on it soon
evil c Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Cool, now make more sense, I have downloaded the stupid protractor but no clue how to use it, guess I'm not so stupid Read it over twenty times - forget 90% of it and apply the simplest method!
davidsss Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 There is an arc protractor generator on The Vinyl Engine, I use that and it is very good. DS
andyr Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 There is an arc protractor generator on The Vinyl Engine, I use that and it is very good. DS It certainly is - but only if you take the trouble to futz around with the printing scale so that it comes out exactly right after going through the printer! I tried a few times and then gave up and paid $50 to buy Ken's "Accutrak". Regards, Andy
andyr Posted July 6, 2013 Posted July 6, 2013 Thanks Andy - appreciate the offer and will be happy to take you up on it soon NP, Clive - PM me when you're ready. Andy
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