How To Set Up Your Turntable Cartridge

Proper turntable setup can make all the difference between lousy sound quality or damaged records, and analog audio bliss. Set up and adjust your brand new turntable, when you switch or replace your cartridge or needle, or just as a part of regular maintenance.
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www.How-To-You.com

[@alukeofalltrades]

I LOVE YOU THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! I couldn't figure out why my records sounded like they were put in a blender... turns out my cartridge was not only loose but also not aligned properly! Thanks again!

[@indieworks]

Very fine demonstration. Clear and precise. Well done

[@audiofixsales1942]

Nicely produced video (although the music is incredibly annoying)... BUT as in so many cases and here is one yet again, the internet has gotten it wrong. There are quite a few boo boos and incorrect information in this video. Perhaps the key one and gives away the fact that the writer/producer of the video is not an audio professional is the adjustment procedure for correct tracking angle. The correct method is - Use the inner groove adjustment point and slide the cartridge backwards and forwards keeping the cartridge parallel in the slotted holes. When the tip is over the 'x' and the cartridge is parallel in the slots and the side of the headshell edge is parallel with the lines on the protractor all is good. Any decent turntable will have little difference in alignment between inner and outer but why not get it right on the inner grooves where alignment matters more. The writers suggesting you have to keep fiddling between inner and outer adjustment is only because they don't actually know how to set up a cartridge. I know how to set up a cartridge having done it for the last 40 years more times than I care to remember (as an audio tech) but I am rubbish at making You Tube videos. Each to their own I suppose. I won't bore you with the other disinformation as it is not so glaringly wrong.

[@sandswan]

Thanks for this. So are you saying that there is (a) no rotational adjustment necessary at all? (b) That as long as the cartridge is perfectly parallel in the headshell, you make sure the headshell is parallel with the protractor lines, and (c) that you simply move the entire cartridge forwards/backwards within the headshell to align the tip to the X? If so, great, thank you. Two questions though - (1) on what angle do you have the protractor on the turntable? As it rotates, moving the cartridge forwards/backwards becomes confusing if the platter can also move forward/backward, and (2) what do you use the outer null point for if all these adjustments are made against the inner null point? Thank you again !

[@jothamhousden6363]

Nice touch at the end...

[@davidbilling9742]

Thank you so much for this video! Just upgraded my Ortofon 2M Red to 2M Blue. Couldn't have done it without you!

[@toddbod94]

The body of the red and blue are the same you could've just swapped the stylus

[@ronramsay9340]

Firstly, yes helpful. Thanks for that. You make it look easier than I found it, with this particular t/table. Additional things to know (if uprading form this t/table to a 2M Red or similar/superior Ortofon) : (a) you may need a 2mm Allen Key to remove the screws securing the supplied cartridge; a screwdriver was used in this video, but none of mine would do the trick...very tight. Screws on headshell do not respond to a Phillips or flathead in my experience; (b) the provided counterweight is not sufficient to allow you to balance out the arm...the manuals (i.e., Project's + Ortofon 2M Red instructions) will tell you that you will have to invest in a 01 counterweight (which are not cheap, but within my budget.) as the 2M Red is 7.2 gms. Try finding one on the net (heavier ones and the original one are available.) The salesman I bought the cartridge from did not mention this, but what can I say...nobody knows everything, yes? And (c) when removing the white wire, it snapped clean off. O.k., maybe that's just me (although I have never had any trouble fitting cartridges in the past. But then, I am getting older. I managed to thread it through small (what....0.75mm/) rubber sheath ( am allowing space for an association of ideas here. Shame on you. This is important stuff. Ha ha) and cut through cover leaving wire intact. And, if my ears are anything to go by, did an ok solder job. Am not convinced that Pro-ject did, but may well do, 99% of the time. Which brings me fully to my final point: in the video, the pincers are placed usually at the point that the wire meets the flange, i.e., at the soldered area. Maybe the rubber cushions the pressure, I don't know. It is a tricky operation on this tonearm; the four pins seem very close together. Maybe it's standard, and I am getting some kind of condition that affects psycho-motor performance (not to mention my eyesight.) If you can take this one to be done professionally, I would consider it. But I have no transport and there is no hi-fi outlet in this so-called city anymore. Sayonara and good luck. (Hope this has been informative hi-fi wise.)

[@Night5225]

Ron Ramsay Appreciate the tips. Will certainly come in handy once I get around to upgrading my cartridge on my Carbon.

[@trevorwynn240]

Ron, which Pro-ject do you have? I have the Essential II am and looking to do this upgrade. Thanks for the advice.

[@dudemcrude2023]

Trevor Wynn if your upgrading to the 2M Red/ Blue cartridge you’ll need to purchase the 01 counterweight to counteract the 7.2g weight as opposed the the OM 5e which is around 4.5g

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

One minor thing, you didn't remove the stylus guard when setting the tonearm weight. It's very minor in terms of the weight it adds, but it does add some weight that shouldn't be there when balancing the tonearm.

[@THEQueeferSutherland]

Good video though, thanks for making it.

[@christopherkirk6493]

The initial counterweight setting was a coarse adjustment. The stylus guard was removed for the final fine-tuned counterweight adjustment at the end, using the digital scale.

[@davidjay4229]

Excellent video easy Peasy well done. Thanks my ortofon 2m blue loves life now, tone arm pressure is pretty critical it would appear

[@erikliterature8162]

Thanks for this video. I had a starter model Rega Planar 1 at one time. I wanted to exchange cartriges on that so I got some tools and took it to a friend who loves vinyl. Turns out that Rega turntables are not suited for this. The copper (I suppose that is what it is) connectors were pretty much stuck on the pins and when I finally got them off they got damaged. Either they split and couldn't be used again or the whole 'tube' fell off. I had even bought some extra 'tubes' but I couldn't find anyone willing to solder those on. I had a Nagaoka cartridge I wanted to put on it but it was a no go after that experience. I bought a new turntable after that (Pro-Ject Classic Rosenut) and I sent in the cartridge for the 'experts' to replace the original cartridge. Haven't touched it since. Fortunately, analog is only a side interest.

[@ihop4no14]

Extremely helpful! Thanks!

[@cm2881]

Nice video, I personally prefer to align the cartridge just closer to the second adjustment closer to the center of the record.

[@fetthunderdome]

The video is well made, but when you balance the tonearm 2 main things should be done: 1 remove the stylus cover, 2 eliminate anti skating (for pro-ject turntables it's done by removing the weight).

[@dredrotten]

Looks easy but Ive been trying to do this for days on an Onkyo CP-5000a, its a literal bastard of a thing to get right. LOL

[@iawnlad]

Took me 15 minutes on my pro-ject Debut III!

[@xeniumxneum8006]

I found this helpful replacing a dj cartridge with a goldring e3. You do need to refer to your turntable manual and download the correct protractor. You cant expect the fella to show every cartridge/tonearm/ player !!! Come on. !! Putting a dj cartridge on is apiece of piss. This was tricky but me and the missus had a good time figuring it out and making sure we got it right. You need to do what he says with reference to your kit manual. I balanced my arm before understanding what the overhang was, which changed the setting. It was nerve racking placing the stylus on the protractor, but it cant stress it more than running thru a piece of vinyl can it? It helped me anyway so thanks bro

[@nickvloeberghs777]

I just installed this cartridge on My pro ject primary but i cannot adjust the anti skate. Is this a problem? When i use a cd the cartridge Goes to the middle fairly quickly

[@robinliebrechts9122]

That is not how it should be done. With the inner null point you just turned the cart body a bit till it aligned with the lines, in stead you had to move it back -or forward in the sleeves to get correct overhang!

[@skillracoonful]

wait so the needle doesn't have to be on-point as long as the front of the cartridge is parallel to horizontal lines?

[@keithparkhill8321]

+Curtis Pea There are five basic alignments you can use based on varying theory. If you stick with the geometry that the manufacture has built into the turntable the cart should be parallel to the horizontal lines. If you choose a different protractor for the other alignments your cart will be slant toward the spindle slightly . Unless you are using very expensive styli like a micro line or a Shibata just stick to the basic alignment. Hope that helps.

[@Chrarsh101]

helpful!

[@joeytribbiani2355]

could i fuck up my stylus by placing it on the alignment protractor? at $700 it's quite an expensive risk

[@patrickbodenham6879]

Is that vinyl The Acid?

[@mick2d2]

Thanks!

[@newenglisharchitecture1012]

Where did you get the screwdriver at 0:37

[@HangVader]

thanks!

[@rajivranjan7853]

Plz remove the antiskate force before setting the tracking force .

[@xeniumxneum8006]

Looking forward to copying some vinyl and seeing the difference, I HOPE there is or i might cry a bit and throw my toyys out the pram lol

[@cubdukat]

How do you set the overhang? I have a MMF-2.2 (which I've been told is a rebadged Debut III), and I'm looking to replace the standard cartridge.

[@mikechivy]

The overhang is set when you have the actual needle in the dot on the protractor in both spots

[@MrJimbaloid]

Hi mike I've just bought a new rega cart and I don't have a protractor. Can I download one and print it off? and do you know anywhere I can do that? I was so looking forward to a bit of vinyl tonight but I guess it will have to wait :(

[@SuperNathan29]

@@MrJimbaloid vinylengine you have to make an account but there's no spam and then you can print one out

[@MrJimbaloid]

@@SuperNathan29 many thanks.

[@kishobharv6964]

vta , rake angle, etc etc...duhh

[@maxpezzali3941]

Why stylus on the first point in protractor doesn't sit in the middle of + sign on protractor ???

[@HowToYou]

HI Max, If you're talking about around 2:26, it was just a matter of trying to show it clearly for camera. It was also hard to make those very precise movements in a timely fashion for the video, so I used the take the showed it the best.

[@maxpezzali3941]

Then If I understood video, stylus must in both positions be in te middle of + sign on protractor ?

[@HowToYou]

The + is the location to take the measurement. What is important is how parallel the cartridge is with the lines on the protractor. When your cartridge is parallel to the protractor lines at both + points, you're in good alignment.

[@ivansolans9497]

Cambiate a audiotechnica, es mejor que Ortofon. Pero buen video.

an easy way to learn how to listen vinyl properly

[@kayakuprising5914]

What about the forward and back positioning? Thanks

[@christopheroliver9435]

Kayak Uprising.... Hello did you get a reply, as this is what I'm trying to work out. Cheers C.....

[@henveee]

You should be pulling on the clip rather than the wire

[@julianabrown8283]

3:44 How? Just try aimlessly till it randomly lines up on both? Explain the method better.

[@brout80]

Use a Dr. Feickert Cartridge Alignment Tool?

[@wardell1518]

He is using too much anti skate.