Align Cartridge
If you have never carried out cartridge alignment, there
are numerous Youtube videos which some may find
easier than reading.
Set overhang
First set cartridge overhang to 17mm unless you have a
12 inch arm in which case the overhang is 13.2mm.
Overhang is the measurement from centre of platter to
tip of stylus (see below). When measuring this ensure the
arm-tube is positioned with it’s centre line directly over
the centre of the spindle as shown.
Use the alignment gauge or a ruler to judge this
measurement. In the above photo, notice that the ruler is
butted against the spindle although it's the centre of the
spindle that we need to measure from. To compensate for
this simply add 3.5mm (half the diameter of the spindle)
to measurement readings. This is easier than trying to
align the ruler with the centre of the spindle.
Note that when you later twist the cartridge to align it,
the overhang position must be maintained and checked at
the end of the whole procedure.
Line up the stylus
Once overhang is set, place the alignment gauge on
the platter as shown below.
Gently lower the cartridge onto the alignment
gauge and follow the instructions printed on it.
Twist the cartridge body in the headshell till body
or stylus aligns with grid then re-check overhang.
Repeat procedure if necessary till desired result is
achieved.
When all adjustments are correct, carefully tighten
down the cartridge mounting screws keeping a firm
grip on cartridge and headshell together so nothing
shifts.
Gradually tighten each screw in turn until tight.
Tightening one screw fully before tightening the
other is almost certain to move the cartridge out of
alignment. However careful you’ve been, always
check the alignment again after tightening.
Ensure the headshell wires are bent so they are
clear of the record surface. Align stylus or cartridge
body?
Most cartridge bodies have faces that are perfectly
aligned with the cantilever so you can align the
cartridge body on the gauge.
However this does not apply to all cartridges and
some brands do not build their stylus aligned
symmetrically with the body.
In these cases align stylus along centreline of the
card. This takes precedence over cartridge body
alignment in the case of Lyra, Soundsmith and
other cartridges.
Page 6
PLATTER
SPINDLE
7MM DIAMETER
STYLUS
TIP OVER
RULER
USE RULER OR
MARK
ON ALIGNMENT
CARD
CENTRE LINE OF
ALIGNMENT
GUAGE
ALIGN STYLUS AS THE PRIORITY
RECORD SPINDLE
ALIGNMENT GUAGE
