TT setup help

[ngc4900]

I have searched the internet and here looking for a basic primer on setting up a TT. Does anyone have any sources, links, books, etc on this topic. I want to pull the trigger on a new TT but I don't live around anyone who could help me do this.

Thanks
Joe

PS. I am looking at a possible VPI scout.

[crwilli]

I have a DVD by Michael Fremer but have never watched it! It was in the mail as I decided to go full-on digital. But I can't send it to you until April. Sorry.

[miner]

Do a search on AnalogPlanet.com - there maybe some tips that will help.

[audio bill]

Joe - If you end up going with a VPI you will probably find some of their videos helpful which are available on their youtube page.

[Mikado463]

as Craig stated ……….. Michael Fremer's 21st Century " Practical Guide to Turntable set up' DVD

[1adam12]

Several of Michael Fremer's setup tutorials from various audio trade shows are posted on youtube. The camera work on them is generally abysmal, but you can still get the gist of what's going on.

[cmalak]

From whom are you purchasing the VPI Scout? If local dealer, they should set it up for you. If one of online retailers (MusicDirect.com, ElusiveDisc.com, Acousticsounds.com, etc...), they have vinyl set up experts who can do much of the set up for you and when you receive the table all you will need to do is check certain parameters but you can talk to them over the phone about their set-up service and how it works.

As others have said Michael Fremer's DVD (you can find on Amazon) is a decent source and there are a gazillion videos on YouTube uploaded by various enthusiasts of varying degrees of quality.

Finally, VPI has video setup guides that you can follow as well. Best to get a local expert to walk you through it like s local dealer so you can learn how all the different set-up features work on your turntable. Good luck.

[tima]

Here are a few documents (.pdf) and a link that may get you started. There are lot's of articles and views on how to set up a turntable, which really includes setting up the 'table, tonearm, and cartridge.

My suggestion is to read as much as you can and take notes of the various steps and the order they are in. Then aggregate your notes to make a single list of steps to follow, or come back here (your thread) with questions. It will seem daunting at first, but have courage it takes more time and patience than technical knowledge.

There are a few words or terms that may be new. You pay want to print or study the following diagram before starting to read, because you're likely to read about what it depicts:



Here are some articles:

Analog 101 - The Audio Beat, Roy Gregory

Setting Up a Turntable - Theory (PDF)

Turntable System Setup (PDF)

Practical Guide to Turntable Set-Up (PDF) - Michael Fremer

There are a variety of tools that make the different steps of 'table setup much easier and more accurate. Here's a list of tools I use - stolen from another thread:

Key ingredients include a will to patience, magnification and lots of good lighting.

The whole process is made easier and more enjoyable with the help of good tools. Doing vinyl well is expensive (and rewarding!) but I wish I had known about the tools I use now when I was starting out - it would have saved me from buying some of the junk I did.

Clearaudio Weightwatcher stylus force gauge - I must have tried 5-6 scales and though its pricey, this one is the most consistent and easiest to use that I've found. And it measures very close to record height.

WallyVTA - from Wally Malewicz. Gets the tonearm parallel to the record surface. It won't stay there but its the place to start from.

UNI-Pro Protractor or its younger less expensive brother the SMARTractor - from Dietrich Brakemeier at acoustical-systems. Easiest to use cartridge alignment system I've found and it lets you choose a tangential alignment option (Baerwald, Loefgren, etc.) I tried the original Feickert, but found the proper spot for the stylus point to be way too big for accuracy; maybe the newer model is improved. The best ARC protractor I've used is the original WallyTractor, again from Wally Malewicz. I like this one more than the Mint; both are tonearm specific. He has a universal model but I haven't tried that.

UNI P2S - Spindle to pivot (P2S) accuracy to 5/100 of a mm. Built in to the SMARTractor.

Fosgate Fozgometer and an appropriate test record. The OP (miner) has it right!

Machinist Level - the Starrett 130 is my preferred for leveling the turntable - much easier and more consistent than bubble levels. You do level your table don't you?

Small screw drivers and hex keys - Wiha or Williams (Snap-On) make good ones. Often 'tabes and 'arms come with what they require.

USB Microscope - These can be helpful for getting your stylus to an initial angle (SRA) from whence you can dial-in by ear or use as a baseline to come back to when changing SRA/VTA. You'll need a laptop or other computing device with a USB port. I've mixed feelings on these but they can work if you're patient using the software that comes with them to measure angles.

Magnification reading glasses and hand held magnifiers - at least for my eyes. The lighted Vivitar handhelds have proved helpful along with various higher powered loupes.

Did I mention patience, .

One more suggestion and I'll shut-up ...
Try using what I'll call a 'practice cartridge' to get familiar with cartridge alignment. That way you won't be worrying about toasting your $$$$ beauty. I suggest a Denon DL-103R - its got lots of sonic virtue in its own right and only a couple hundred bucks on ebay.

You can set-up your own 'table and have fun doing it!

[ngc4900]

Thanks all for the excellent sources and references. I did buy and viewed the Fremer DVD. It was good. cmalak, I purchased the TT and Cartridge from Ivan. Tima I did see your excellent equipment list, but I missed the PDF's, thanks

Best

Joe

[ngc4900]

I suggest a Denon DL-103R - its got lots of sonic virtue in its own right and only a couple hundred bucks on ebay.

I missed this, that is a great idea.
Thanks

Best

Joe