INTERFACE - Tips, Tricks & How-To - How To Setup A Turntable

[Darksaige]

I really feel like I just learned something

[Threemicsrecords]

My friend gave me some old Sonus phono cartridge (PME .5/LC) with Nude "Line Contact" Elliptical Diamond Stylus Configuration (Sounds like fun :D) and I have to say it sounds nice but IGD are pain in the neck even though I used protractor and other methods. Maybe th eproblem is that I'm using p-mount to 1/2 adapter.

[BadEditPro]

@Threemicsrecords Lots of IDG could be an indication that the stylus is worn. Using the adapter shouldn't cause too much trouble as long as the arm can handle the extra height. :) JC

[soulessdelu]

Big stuff man thx!

[Paspiedreamcast]

@BadEditPro thanks, I got the turntable, preamplifier and 2 RCA-RCA cables and it works fine, my only issue is a buzz when I turn the volume up, may be either the preamp or cartridge, but hay, it works. I suppose it's automatic so doesn't need setup.

[Paspiedreamcast]

All the information and explanations on the internet just boggle my mind and remind me why CD's and cassettes became so popular. Hopefully I'll figure it out once my turntable (a Technics SL-DD33) arrives, but I'm just afraid that I'll set it up completely wrong and damage my records.

[BadEditPro]

@Paspiedreamcast Don't worry... It's really very simple and once you've done it a few times you don't even think about it anymore. Besides, the DD33 doesn't require any setup... Just stick a cart on the tone arm and start playing records. :) JC

[arndur]

I'll look around for the Technics Gauge. In the meantime I set the cartridge at 52mm. Sounds good! I previously had it at 50mm according to the protractor. Thanks for the help!

[BadEditPro]

@arndur You should be good to go now. :) JC

[arndur]

Hey JC thanks for your videos. I have been trying to properly align my Shure M97XE on my Audio Technica LP 120 and I think I've got it right, now. However I still hear some scratchy "S" occasionally. I used the Shure protractor to align, but I was wondering if you happened to know the overhang in mm for my tomearm. I believe in one of your videos you mentioned to have both the AT LP 120 & the 97XE. Useful tips on optimizing the setup would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[BadEditPro]

@arndur Get a Technics Overhang Gauge or measure 52 mm from the rear rubber washer (the edge closets to the plug) to the stylus tip. Make sure the cart is PERFECTLY straight in the headshell. You're done. That's it. Make sure you are tracking the M97xE at 1.25 grams at the stylus tip. If you use the stabilizer brush, that will mean setting the tracking force to a total of 1.75 and setting the anti-skate to 1.25. If you run with the brush up all the time, set the tracking force to 1.25. :) JC

[Paspiedreamcast]

seems incredibly complicated to me

[BadEditPro]

@Paspiedreamcast It's not hard at all. Once you do it a couple of times you don't even think about anymore. :) JC

[The1970sInfatuate]

Where do you find those jigs?

[BadEditPro]

@The1970sInfatuate Try Needle Doctor or KABUSA. :) JC

[The1970sInfatuate]

@BadEditPro It's called the "Technics Overhang Gauge." I hope it will just be easy enough to measure 52mm with a set of calipers.

[The1970sInfatuate]

A good affordable cartridge with a spherical stylus I just came across is the Sumiko Oyster. The tracking force is between 1.25g - 2.5g.

[The1970sInfatuate]

Are you supposed to always set the anti-skate equal to the vertical tracking force?

[BadEditPro]

@The1970sInfatuate Yes. Turntables are designed to give approximatively the right amount when set that way. Tyhe only way to fine tune it is with a test record and an oscilascope. There is a method where you use a blank record and set the anti-scate by watching that the tone arm does not move either way but it inaccurate and usually results in way too much force on the dial. Therefore, the 'same as' rule is the best way to go. :) JC

[LennyTorment]

I have a question about aligning a cartridge.

I have a Pioneer Pl-15DII and it has a lever that reads stylus position, and I believe is to align the cartridge. If I use the stylus position tool on the Pl-15DII to align a cartridge, can I use that already aligned cartridge on a Pioneer Pl-200?

[BadEditPro]

@LennyTorment I think so... Every Pioneer with an 'S' shaped arm that I've seen has an overhang of 49 mm. :) JC

[LennyTorment]

@BadEditPro You're right, it is 49mm for the overhang.

Quick question, I aligned my cartridge before setting the right tracking force, is that going to be a problem while playing records?

[BadEditPro]

@LennyTorment Bo, that's preferable. You usually have to double check the tracking force if you move the cart around. :) JC

[TheBeebopper]

You have a setscrew to lock the counterweight, use it to reduce tonearm vibration. Ideally the tone-arm pivots are tight yet free moving and it doesn't matter. This ideal is, as far as I'm aware, impossible to achieve. Anchor the tonearm using the setscrew(s) and bearing chatter is minimised.

Cartridge inclination affects the tonal balance, by seeting the tone-arm height or by any backing to the cartridge.

[j4r3du]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[imfree707]

Great, accurate work, JC, I wish I had seen this, back in October, when I got my turntable and got back into my 30+ year old vinyl stash! Eh, eh, eh (I'm 55), I've forgotten more than most young whippersnappers know about vinyl and tutntables, LOL.

[BadEditPro]

@imfree707 Thanks! I know the feeling.... I didn't have a turntable at home for 17 years and when I got one and started listening I was shocked at what I had been missing. It must be more than nostalgia because so many young people are buying records these days. Think about it... If the quality was not there they would just move on. They have no sentimental attachment :) JC

[legOldtimer]

Very good video, especially for beginners.

Will promote the video by Twitter.

Thanks for posting.

[BadEditPro]

@legOldtimer Thank You! :) JC

[727JeffN]

Excellent video! I use the Bearwald (sp?) protractor to set my alignment, the same one you are using.

But you should align your cartridge before adjusting the tracking force.

[BadEditPro]

@727JeffN Thank you! I agree it would be best to align before setting VTF but VTF is more important so it came first in the video... :) JC

[SupraWes]

Good video, the only other thing I would suggest is leveling the turntable itself.

[BadEditPro]

@SupraWes Thanks! I figured putting the turntable on a level surface would be pretty obvious... :) JC

[wings19fan]

Ortofon makes the S arm cartridge replacement easy as it eliminates one of the adjustment steps I am using a DJ S on an Ion ITTusb and the results are good. I have never been sure that I had the downward force just right the video is well done. I am going to re check my setup based on the video. Thanks and a second "Well Done"

[BadEditPro]

@wings19fan The proper tracking force for the DJ S is 3 grams. Ortofon is one of the few companies that actually specifically lists a recommended tracking force. Integrated carts are great as long as you know you have a Technics compatable tone arm. Yours is for sure. :) JC

[vinyl12s]

Very informative, as always. Thank You JC!!!

[BadEditPro]

@vinyl12s Thanks Phil! :) JC

[nemru]

Hi, J.C.! Great video for beginners! Can you make video about how to choose cartridge for turntables. If i remeber correctly, you didn't mention about "stylus compliance" term in your videos, but it's important part for "friendship" between tonearm and cartridge. Hope you make this.

Anyway, thanks for your videos and greetings from Russia.

Yuri (nemru)

[BadEditPro]

@nemru Thanks! I have touched on compliance in the past but finding hard and fast information to share is a bit difficult. Most of the cartridges (MM) being sold today are just about the same in that area. I have not had much interest in MC carts from viewers so I really haven't talked about them. MC tends to be more compliant and needs a low mass arm. :) JC

[MagnusVideos]

Can you buy new "Calibration Records"???

[BadEditPro]

@MagnusVideos Yes. There are a couple of good one's on the market. You really need a scope to get the most from them and I find that a bit over the top for the average home user. However, I remember my days in radio and the engineers never setup a new turntable without getting the test record out to fine tune everything. :) JC

[clydesight]

Excellent video. Thanks JC!

[BadEditPro]

@clydesight Thank You! :) JC

[MagnusVideos]

This video will be very helpful to a lot of people out there. Thanks.

[BadEditPro]

@MagnusVideos Thanks. I searched YT before posting this and I couldn't find any videos that really covered the subject well. :) JC

[SlimeAmTheBest]

Bravo!

Joe, I like to find out the most optimal tracking force to balance maximum harmony with grooves.

[BadEditPro]

@SlimeAmTheBest Thanks! It depends on the cartridge. :) JC

[weasel2htm]

Bless You J.C. for making this video, this contains the info I have needed to learn for years, but wasn't really sure where to look.

Well, done, I proclaim this video to be the official "Turntable Setup For Dummies." video.

[BadEditPro]

@weasel2htm Thank You! :) JC