Vinyl protractor

In this article, I will guide you through the simple process of downloading and printing a cartridge alignment protractor pdf for your turntable. Vinyl protractor will also provide clear instructions on how to use this tool for precise cartridge alignment, vinyl protractor.

For fully enjoy the quality of your turntable-tonearm-cartridge combo you need to have it perfectly geometrically calibrated. On the market, there is such a big choice of new and vintage equipment, most are on factory specifications, but many are custom built. To make things worse, there are different opinions about the correct geometry to employ for a single tonearm. We have an elegant and cost-effective solution for you. You can order from us a custom-made protractor, specially designed on the specification of YOUR tonearm and turntable.

Vinyl protractor

This website offers free phono cartridge alignment protractors and other tools for turntable setup. Generate free custom alignment templates with our arc protractor , 2-point protractor and sightline protractor generators. The cartridge loading and and compliance caclulators will help you choose the right phono cartridge for your preamp and turntable. An alignment protractor is a tool for aligning the stylus and cantilever of a turntable cartride as precisely as possible to two null points. This is an important step when setting up a record player. Precise alignment minimizes distortion. Vinyl records sound better and last longer with a well aligned needle. Yes, but a turntable protractor not only determines the correct overhang. It sets the offset angle as well. As there are many different alignment geometries to choose from, the overhang and angle determined by a protractor may be different from the geometry specified by the manufacturer, though. When setting up a turntable, it is important to stick with one geometry. Setting the overhang as specified by the manufacturer and then trying to set the offset angle with a ramdom two point protractor will not work. It is a mistake that is commonly made. With a pivoted tonearm and the phono cartridge mounted at an offset angle, there are usually two null points at which the stylus is perfectly tangent to the grooves on the record surface.

To do this, you can move the tonearm by the cueing lever.

We have truly universal two-point tools such as the Stupid Protractor, and tonearm specific types for Audiocraft, Helius, Heybrook, Linn, Rega and Thorens, all with easy to follow instructions detailing how to align a cartridge. To determine which protractor is suitable for your tonearm please read Seb's Protractor User Guide and please check scale carefully after printing and resize if necessary. Tonearm Database Mounting dimensions and alignment data for most turntables and tonearms - the original and best! Overhang Shift Calculator Assess the effects of changing stylus overhang while keeping the original angle of the cartridge in the headshell. Simple, accurate and widely compatible.

The award-winning Feickert Analogue Universal Protractor is an invaluable tool for aligning your phono cartridge's path across the record. Proper alignment pays huge dividends in terms of improved tracking, consistent tonal balance across the entire record, ultra-low distortion and increased cartridge longevity. If your cartridge is not properly aligned, you are not hearing the full potential of your analog system. The best solution for accurately aligning your cartridge with seemingly countless tonearms , this protractor offers Lofgren and Baerwald curves as well as the Stevenson curve, giving you multiple choices to reduce the distortion caused by less-than-ideal tangential cartridge tracking. Extremely versatile, accurate, and compact, it allows correct adjustment of overhang and offset for virtually any cartridge on virtually any tonearm with an effective length between 8. And it comes with an instruction booklet that makes everything incredibly easy to do. If you love analog and spin vinyl, consider this device a must.

Vinyl protractor

Below are some downloadable PDF arc protractors, used to align a cartridge to various standard null radii. Be sure to choose a protractor that matches your arm or turntable, as the accuracy of these protractors relies on the pivot to spindle distance being correct. There are 2 popular alignment families, known as Baerwald or Lofgren A and Stevenson. The 2 alignment geometries are calculated to minimise tracking error and distortion. Lofgren A or Baerwald alignment spreads the distortion across the surface of the record, resulting in the lowest average distortion figures. Stevenson alignments are optimised for zero tracking distortion in the lead out groove of the record at the expense of slightly higher distortion everywhere else. In reality the distortion figures are so low as to be of little issue. If your turntable manufacturer specifies an alignment, it is best to stick with their recommendation. If not, a Lofgren A protractor usually offers the best performance across a majority of LP records. This protractor will align a cartridge to the factory Technics alignment, the same that is achieved when using the supplied overhang gauge.

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Alternatively, if you are certain of the mounting distance Conrad Hoffman's Arc Protractor Generator is an excellent tool. The grids are placed at the two null points, and feature closely spaced double lines for those who prefer aligning the cantilever instead of the cartridge body. Another problem is the deflection of the cantilever when put onto a stationary protractor. On the market, there is such a big choice of new and vintage equipment, most are on factory specifications, but many are custom built. Finally, just cut along the two red lines with a sharp knife , and push the circle area over sthe spindle. If it is off slightly, you will need to repeat the steps and realign it again before tightening the screws. Add to Cart. There may be slight resistance, but when you move the stylus to adjust it so that the tip of the stylus is on the corresponding dot of the turntable protractor. Welcome to Le Son Audiophile Blog! With a pivoted tonearm and the phono cartridge mounted at an offset angle, there are usually two null points at which the stylus is perfectly tangent to the grooves on the record surface. In theory mounting the arm very accurately at the recommended mounting distance should get you close, then if the arm has a sliding base you can adjust the mounting distance using an overhang gauge to achieve 15mm overhang. An alignment protractor is a tool for aligning the stylus and cantilever of a turntable cartride as precisely as possible to two null points. The path of the stylus follows an arc. The geometry can be set to the same specifications for either alignment tool, so the results should be the same if carefully done. Note that Technics arms do not use baerwald alignment as standard, so you may have to skew the cartridge in the headshell in order to align with arc.

This website offers free phono cartridge alignment protractors and other tools for turntable setup. Generate free custom alignment templates with our arc protractor , 2-point protractor and sightline protractor generators.

However, the difference is only a fraction of a percent in distortion levels and varies across the record. Overhang gauges make alignment quick and easy, but they are not the most accurate tools. Instead of cutting the square shape which is difficult and often inaccurate, here is a better method that makes the job simple but extremely precise:. Protractor User Guide. They can simply be printed out with a home printer. The pivot to spindle distance is the only specification that one must know to generate an arc protractor. Aligning the cantilver has its limitations, as it is so short. According to Jelco's specs the original null points work out at Alignment importance goes back to the time of the phonograph, which needed stylus alignment just like modern-day record players need today. If the stylus follows the arc, if the cartridge body is aligned with a set of lines, if your mounting distance is the one specified by the protractor, then, the cartridge body must be aligned with the second set of lines. The protractor is made of high-quality black perspex, laser cut and engraved measure mm x 93mm and is thick 3mm, like a gram vinyl record. When you have the overhang aligned properly, make sure that you tighten the screws. Why do you need a cartridge alignment protractor for your turntable?