Yamaha PX-3 turntable cartridge installation questions

dromunds
dromunds Posts: 10,009
edited August 2012 in 2 Channel Audio
I was recently "awarded" a Yamaha PX-3 tangential arm turntable that has some issues. It came without a stylus (I want to replace the existing cart anyway) and the feet are either missing or missing much of the rubber (which is probably pretty common I suppose.) I have a used Shure V15 Type III that I'm not using on anything. Would that be a suitable match for that TT? Also, I downloaded the manual and it talks about a tool that was used to help with mounting the cart, but it appeared to only assist with overhang. The manual didn't seem to really get into much else regarding cart mounting. Can any current or past owners of PX-3's give me any advice on where to get the use of such a tool, if there is an alternative to the tool, and if there are any other tips for mounting/aligning a cart on this TT? This is my first tangential TT and I'm interested to hear how it sounds. Also, anybody know where I might find some feet, or what would be a reasonable alternative to the stock feet? Thanks in advance for any help.
Post edited by dromunds on
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Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited August 2012
    Low mass arm will appreciate a high-compliance cartridge; a V15 would be dandy, I would think.
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  • jon s
    jon s Posts: 905
    edited August 2012
    If you do not have the alignment tool, you will have to "eyeball" it... mount the cartridge. make sure the stylus tip is aligned with the center of the platter spindle... as the tonearm moves laterally, it should not deviate in any direction. you could proabably make a home made jig. draw a straight line on a cardboard. punch a hole so that the line runs through the center of the spindle. Align the stylus tip and make sure it runs laterally across the line with no deviation.
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,499
    edited August 2012
    jon s tells it like it is with a linear tracking arm.

    IIRC the tool was a piece of slotted plastic that registered off the rear of the headshell with an alignment mark indicating where to position the stylus. Here is a thread from Audiokarma about the PX-3. Post 7 provides a measurement that sounds like experience talking (50mm from the shoulder of the headshell).

    http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=139905

    My Yamaha YP-D10 actually had a dot on the side of the headshell indicating the correct stylus position for proper overhang with the pivoted arm.
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