Deck set up.... xperts please help!

Hi all,

Well before I recieve my shiney super scoutmaster, a rather silly compulsive buy from me, I need to know how to align a cart. Can someone point me at a product that'll let me do this with relative ease? I'm a muppet when it comes to TT's. I've got a digital stylus weight measurer already.


Cheers, Tim

 

It depends what comes in the box, if they supply a printed protractor, then all you need is either a scewdriver or alan key to fit the supplied nuts/bolts. and a stack of time. just follow the instructions. If not try vinyl engine for a download protractor.

 

Hi,

I think the arm comes with a jig into which you mount it, and this is then used to set the correct overhang point. Much easier than with a protractor placed over the turntable spindle.

That's what the instructions for the JMW 9 arm say, anyway. These can be found online. I read them on the Cool Gales site: http://www.coolgales.com/manuals/VPIJMW9manual.pdf

Mark

 

Hi Tim,

I've got a SSM. It comes with a jig, which is fine for getting the cart aligned although if you want to be totally anal you can arguably get better results using something like a Clearaudio Cartridge Alignment Guage.

Azimuth adjustment is aided visually by a thin aly rod that comes in the box and rests across the headshell.

Tracking weight you've got covered, so that leaves VTA and anti-skate. VTA is easy enough by eye to start off and then fine tune by ear if you are so inclined. My SSM came with an anti-skate mechanism that fits to the junction box but which wasn't actually fitted as supplied. VPI don't recommend that you use any anti-skate with the SSM but supply the mechanism anyway after customer feedback - my experience is that the anti-skate is necessary.

Finally, if you're not confident I would recommend a copy of Michael Fremer's Vinyl Set Up DVD - in that he shows a step by step set up of a VPI Scout (very similar) so you'll see exactly what needs to be done.

Oh yes - don't forget to add the tonearm damping fluid.

 

Tim,

Buy the Feickert Alignment Protractor.
http://www.angelsoundaudio.co.uk/dr_feickert.html
OK it's 190 quid, but it's the best vinyl set up tool I've used in 30 years.
You'll be able to align your cartridge in less than 10 minutes using this.
1. Align the cartridge
2. Adjust the vertical tracking force (VTF)
3. Adjust the vertical tracking angle (VTA)
4. Recheck the VTF
5. Check the azimuth (sideways tilt to cartridge) & adjust
6. Recheck VTF
7. Adjust anti skate (bias)
8. Play record

Charlie

PS are you the same TimF on the camera fora?

 

Lots of questions!
Thanks for the info all. I'm not on the camera forum.

I'll take a look for the thin alloy rod, not sure that I spotted one.
I've found the jig and it looks very helpful.
The tonearm fluid, I've just bought some VPI oil, is that the same stuff?
How would I do VTA by eye?
What setting would you put the anti skate onto?

Thanks guys,
Tim

 

With apologies for the poor photography!

My aly rod came in packaging that looks like this:



To use this to adjust VTA, sit it across the headshell and visually confirm that the rod is parallel to the record surface. Like this:





My tonearm fluid came in packaging like this:



and it goes here:



Finally, I've taken a photo of the anti-skate settings I have, but this is very much a suck it and see adjustment. The o-rings are not standard - they are from my garage as I found the weights that VPI supplied put too much anti-skate on even at their lowest setting:



Good luck!

 

Thanks lbr, I don't have an alloy rod, I presume something similar will do.

Any clue on the size \ type of o-rings you use, I'll try to match your setup if possible?

Have you a link to the tonearm fluid in a shop somewhere? For some reason i can't see the picture!

Your help is much appreciated.

Cheers, Tim

 

Thanks sooo much for this, I can see the pics now. I have no damping fluid. Can't find any online either but at least I know what I'm looking for! I'll get a different make if I can't get VPI fluid.

The rod looks simple enough I'm sure anything small and straight will do.

Do you have the heavy platter and upgraded feet?
Was wondering if they make much difference. I won't be buying now but nice to know.

Cheers! Tim

 

Hi Tim,

I think my platter is normal (wasn't aware there was a "heavy" version, so I may have that without knowing) and I know I have the standard feet.

One upgrade I have done, which I would recommend, is to install the rim drive.

I don't have details of the o-rings I'm afraid, I just raided the garage and played around with various options until I had it right. I would recommend that you start off without anti-skate as VPI recommend - just put a twist in the wire that connects the tonearm to the junction box as per the instructions. That worked for me for about a year, until (I believe) the wire lost its elasticity through handling and I needed to put some "proper" anti-skate on.

 

The heavy version is black not clear perspex, worth £1k new so a bonus if you do have one!

 

Hi IBR.
Great idea alloy rod. I have SME 309 arm and use a
mirror for azimuth. Will try rod two strings to the bow must
get better setting.
Noel W.

 

How does the mirror technique work?

Ta, Tim

 

you can see the "squiffiness*" better with a mirror underneath the stylus.


* technical term

 

Hmmm. When I mooted that with the missus all I got was a slap round the chops!