New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Turntable calibration help please.

post #1 of 8
8/2/07 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 
Hello All,

I still listen to vinyl and recently replaced my cartridge. I have a Rega P3 2000 and recently purchased the Elys 2. I recall I encountered this 5 years ago when I bought this turntable new but did not belong to this forum at the time. Now that I have replaced the cartridge, I was reminded of this problem.

When installing the cartridge, I had set anti-skating and bias to zero. I balanced the tonearm so that it was barely above the record. I then applied the recommeded setting of 1.75 gm to the anti-skating and bias. Now when I placed the needle on the outside edge of the record, it is fine. However, when I move the needle to the middle, the tonearm moves to the outside a bit (it drifts). If I increase the setting to almost 3, then there is no drifting of the tonearm but the setting is way above recommended. In the past I think I did increase a bit and found some middle ground but I'm not sure that is correct. Any advice to ensure that the setting is correct on the anti-skating and bias? If these are incorrect, does it lead to the needle running on the outside of the grooves rather than smack in the middle? Any tips for ensuring the tonearm is properly adjusted for the cartridge is appreciated.
Reply
post #2 of 8
8/2/07 at 4:15pm

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

I'm no expert with calibrating turntables, but I also have a Rega Planar 3 (with Dynavector 10x5 cart). My dealer recommends 1.8-2.2 gm for the anti-skating and bias, and we settled on 2.0 gm.
Reply
post #3 of 8
8/3/07 at 8:42am

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

Find a local hi end audio shop, they should be able to calibrate for you for a small fee. It's worth it.

This is why I like P-Mount. P-mount is poo-pooed by "audiophiles" but I'm not an "audiophile", I just want good sound with minimal troubles. Hell my mid 90s Denon turntable is not only P-mount, it's direct drive and fully automatic. The anti-audiophile trifecta! Sounds great.
Reply
post #4 of 8
8/3/07 at 10:18am
Thread Starter 

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

Probably what I'll do if I can find one down here around Boca or Ft. Lauderdale. "The anti-audiophile trifecta" ... that is funny.

Alon, I read on different forums about hooking up that cartridge to the Rega as it is deemed very good. I was considering getting it but it required VTA adjustment which I'm not sure how to do whereas the Rega cartridges have the VTA accounted for. I believe it uses some spacers that have to be supplied by Rega but I assume they are like washers.
Reply
post #5 of 8
1/25/08 at 11:16am

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary Seven
Hello All,

I still listen to vinyl and recently replaced my cartridge. I have a Rega P3 2000 and recently purchased the Elys 2. I recall I encountered this 5 years ago when I bought this turntable new but did not belong to this forum at the time. Now that I have replaced the cartridge, I was reminded of this problem.

When installing the cartridge, I had set anti-skating and bias to zero. I balanced the tonearm so that it was barely above the record. I then applied the recommeded setting of 1.75 gm to the anti-skating and bias. Now when I placed the needle on the outside edge of the record, it is fine. However, when I move the needle to the middle, the tonearm moves to the outside a bit (it drifts). If I increase the setting to almost 3, then there is no drifting of the tonearm but the setting is way above recommended. In the past I think I did increase a bit and found some middle ground but I'm not sure that is correct. Any advice to ensure that the setting is correct on the anti-skating and bias? If these are incorrect, does it lead to the needle running on the outside of the grooves rather than smack in the middle? Any tips for ensuring the tonearm is properly adjusted for the cartridge is appreciated.
Well the formula is correct..what ever the down force is set at the anti skate should match.
It the table perfectly level?
I re level and reset mine at least once a month
With out a down force gauge you could still be on the light side try going up in small increments on each setting.
Reply
post #6 of 8
1/25/08 at 7:38pm

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

I only vaguely remember some hints from over 20 years ago.

Can you swing the arm all the way in over the turntable center pivot? The hint I was given was to adjust the cartridge's position or the arm's length so the needle is something like 3/8 inches past (as opposed to directly on) the turntable pivot when the arm pivot, the turntable pivot, and the needle point are all in a straight line.

The record you are using for your antiskating tests, is it a special disk with no grooves on it? This is what you use for antiskating measurements if you can get one. The arm should neither move in nor move out when the needle is put on this blank record. You will just have to compromise if the arm won't stay steady no matter whether the needle is -- near the outer edge or near the record center or halfway.

Another turntable manufacturer from back then (the speaker maker AR) said you don't need antiskating compensation, a little more tracking force will suffice. If we combine this idea with the preceding, use a compromise skating compensation that may have the arm still drifting towards the center some of the time but never drifting to the record rim.

Video hints: Video Technicalia Made Easy
Reply
post #7 of 8
1/25/08 at 9:13pm

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

Quote:
The hint I was given was to adjust the cartridge's position or the arm's length so the needle is something like 3/8 inches past (as opposed to directly on) the turntable pivot when the arm pivot, the turntable pivot, and the needle point are all in a straight line.

I should take the time someday (but not today) and tell everyone what it takes to really set up a turntable. It ain't easy, it ain't fun (unless you're a masochist) and even after you've put in the effort you're never, ever quite certain that you've done it good enough. What you've related here is awfully crude and not correct. Ever hear of Loftgren A and Loftgren B (not 100% certain of the spelling of Loftgren - it's been so long since I mounted a cartridge)? The P-Mount idea was wonderful but unfulfilled. It would have made turntable setup almost a snap. Too bad the idea hadn't come about twenty years before it did so manufacturers would have slowly progressed to it; it's so logical.
Reply
post #8 of 8
1/26/08 at 8:13am

Re: Turntable calibration help please.

Quote:
Originally Posted by alan halvorson
I should take the time someday (but not today) and tell everyone what it takes to really set up a turntable. It ain't easy, it ain't fun (unless you're a masochist) and even after you've put in the effort you're never, ever quite certain that you've done it good enough. What you've related here is awfully crude and not correct. Ever hear of Loftgren A and Loftgren B (not 100% certain of the spelling of Loftgren - it's been so long since I mounted a cartridge)? The P-Mount idea was wonderful but unfulfilled. It would have made turntable setup almost a snap. Too bad the idea hadn't come about twenty years before it did so manufacturers would have slowly progressed to it; it's so logical.
Personally, being a turntable user since the 70s, I would not buy a turntable without a P-mount cart. All these settings are always very close to optimal no matter what. I've never trusted any other method.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home