I stink at cartridge alignment
DaveHo
Posts: 3,545
I had taken the table to a local shop cause things weren't sounding quite right. He checked the stylus with a scope & all was good. Commented that Pro-ject's factory setup was off, so he supposedly aligned it using the Baerwald method. Got it home & it sounded dull & lifeless with zero soundstage.
So last night, using the paper protractor Pro-Ject includes, I tried to align the Ortofon om10 in my Debut III. That darn cart doesn't have a parallel surface on it & trying to get the cantilever lined up with the grid was tough. There seemed to be multiple alignments at which the cantilever aligned at the null points, but I know that shouldn't be possible. After about 3 hours(yes, 3!) my eyes were shot & I threw in the towel. I think it's close. I ran out of time last night to give it a listen & will do that tonight. In the mean time I've ordered a protractor from turntablebasics.com. Hopefully the mirrored surface will make it easier to get it right.
-Dave
So last night, using the paper protractor Pro-Ject includes, I tried to align the Ortofon om10 in my Debut III. That darn cart doesn't have a parallel surface on it & trying to get the cantilever lined up with the grid was tough. There seemed to be multiple alignments at which the cantilever aligned at the null points, but I know that shouldn't be possible. After about 3 hours(yes, 3!) my eyes were shot & I threw in the towel. I think it's close. I ran out of time last night to give it a listen & will do that tonight. In the mean time I've ordered a protractor from turntablebasics.com. Hopefully the mirrored surface will make it easier to get it right.
-Dave
Post edited by DaveHo on
Comments
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If you "can't get no satisfaction" w/that, hunt down a copy of Telarc's Omni disc.
Has disc to aid alignment and peromance tracks w/liner notes explaining what to listen for. Not the easiest/quickest path to "alignment nirvana" but if you obtain the Disc(s) and run your table through the steps you might be happier when finished than you r now.
Can't recall if it addressees VTA.
TonySamsung 60" UN60ES6100 LED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer
Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed & Plugged**”, inside* & out
8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
*soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)
LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
*all connected w/Premiere ICs
5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”
Power Conditioning & Distribution:
4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
