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Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Problem with when you "...align it to the cantilever..."

Hi, Biff,
I'm assuming that when you align to the cantilever that you're talking about static alignment; that is, the platter is stationary and the cantilever takes a static set when you lower the tonearm. In your case, the cantilever has a set that isn't parallel with the cartridge body. Aligning to the cantilever seems to be the consensus on how to align a cartridge, based on the assumption that the cantilever remains in that position even while playing the record.

But I don't agree with that assumption; instead you should align the cantilever/stylus so it's parallel to the body of the cartridge or to the angle of the cantilever while the record is playing. Dynamic alignment rather than static alignment. (To clarify, I'm NOT advocating that you try to align the cartridge while playing a record. :-) My methodology is perhaps validated by Peter's comment that "...if the cantilever pulls straight when it is on the record, then you are OK."

That has been my observation for certain cartridges that take a (static) set other than parallel with the cartridge body. I observe the dynamic position of the cantilever/stylus and if it's in-line with the cartridge body, that's what I use for alignment. If the cantilever has a slight angle to the cartridge body while playing, you could measure that angle and use it as the reference for alignment. Basically you'd be setting the cantilever at that angle in relation to the alignment grid on the protractor.

Refer to the discussion at the link below...

Regards,
Tom


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