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OWNER’S MANUAL
• When the cartridge is properly positioned, tighten the cartridge mounting screws and recheck
the alignment. Remove the alignment jig. Tighten the screws just enough to securely hold
the cartridge in place; you can damage the surface by over tightening.
SETTING THE TRACKING FORCE
AND TONEARM HEIGHT
Tracking force is adjusted by rotating the black knob on the back of the tonearm. This will move
the counterweight forward and back on its shaft. Although the tonearm does not have a built-in
tracking force gauge, a precision digital tracking force gauge is supplied.
The following setup steps must be performed without any stylus guard or protection device in
place and with anti-skating disabled. Be careful not to damage the stylus or cantilever.
• Place the gauge on the platter (stopped, with no record).
• Loosen the two black thumb screws in the mounting base of the tonearm, and turn the large
black knob on top of the VTA tower to adjust the height of the tonearm so it is parallel to the
platter when the stylus is resting on the stylus force gauge. When the arm is at the desired height,
lightly tighten the thumbscrews. This is important to assure accurate tracking force adjustment.
• Set the tracking force according to the cartridge manufacturer’s recommendation. If the
manufacturer specifies a range of tracking forces, we recommend the maximum setting.
High-frequency vibrations of a light-tracking stylus can cause more groove damage than
secure tracking at higher force. Be sure to lift the stylus off the gauge whenever adjusting
the counterweight so as not to damage it or the cantilever.
• If you choose not to use anti-skating, we recommend for most cartridges that you set the
tracking force 0.1 gram above the maximum specified.
• To adjust the vertical tracking angle (VTA), put a record on the platter and lower the stylus
onto the record. Using the large black knob on top of the VTA tower, adjust the height of
the tonearm so it is parallel to the surface of the record. After this is set, tighten the two
thumbscrews on the tonearm mounting base.
SETTING THE AZIMUTH
• Although the azimuth is calibrated at the factory, we suggest a quick check after cartridge
alignment. Place the long aluminum rod in the groove behind the mounting screws on the
tonearm headshell. Make sure the rod is parallel to the platter surface.
• If it is not level, carefully loosen the two set screws on the side of the tonearm, rotate the
tonearm wand to align the aluminum rod, and gently tighten the set screws.
SETTING THE ANTI-SKATING
• With modern tonearms and cartridges, not all users prefer to enable anti-skating devices.
The
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anti-skating device is mounted on the rear of the VTA tower; enable it by looping
the thin line around the first post, as shown. Anti-skating force can be adjusted by adding
or removing rubber washers from the two posts on the device, as well as by moving the
washers up or down the posts.
• Put a record on the platter, turn the motor on, and put the stylus down on the record. Looking
from the front, observe whether the cantilever is deflected while the record is playing, or
if the tonearm shifts when lifting the stylus out of the groove. If the cantilever is deflected
toward the center of the record (i.e. the tonearm is being forced away from the center of the
record) then the anti-skating force is too high. The force can be reduced by moving the rubber
washers toward the central pivot or by removing one or more of them.
• Check the anti-skating force at several points between the outer and inner grooves of the
record, and adjust the weight on both posts as needed. The post with the line attached has
the dominant effect on tracking force near the outside of the record, while the other post has
the most control over the inner grooves.
• Additionally, anti-skating can be adjusted by listening to a record. Excessive distortion in the
left channel indicates too much anti-skating force, whereas distortion in the right indicates
not enough force.
GENERAL USE
• Allow at least 20 hours of break-in time.
• The motor will make some low-level noise. This will not get into the system. The motor and
bearings will become quieter as you use your
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• After two years of use the platter bearing should be re-lubed with PTFE super grease.
• You can experiment with different platter mats, but be sure to recheck and adjust the VTA
setting as needed.
