When Does a Stylus Need Cleaning?

[restorer-john]

I'm using Technics 52mm measurement device for SL-1210mk2, much better, but it seems a bit rudimentary.

The overhang guide provided with the Technics TTs since way back are perfect for the arm in my experience. I played with other alignments with protractors and never got consistency across the record compared to the standard common white plastic piece supplied in the 1200 box.

Where you can improve is the azimuth, if your heasdshell is not perfectly aligned with the collet pin, but that is rare with genuine Japanese 'shells.

Test records don't traditionally have the same tracks recorded at three or more points across the record, so listening for THD or measuring it isn't possible, but IGD is easy, along with outer/mid THD tests on the records I have. Tha said, they are all getting old (like me) and tweaking carts for the lowest distortion is less important than consistent tracking of difficult records for me these days.

 

[spiral scratch]

My experience with the Hi-Fi News test record is that it puts the anti-skate much too high. Using some other method now (the tonearm very slowly moving inwards at run out grooves), seems better, but not sure how accurate really.

Like BDWoody, I would like some guidance on this and protractors. I printed a protractor off vinylengine for my turntable and it was no good (stylus canted inwards, when it was supposed to be parallel). I'm using Technics 52mm measurement device for SL-1210mk2, much better, but it seems a bit rudimentary.

I've been using Conrad Hoffman's protractor with decent results. It's the third link from the top. There's also a methodology for anti-skate adjustment in another link, but I have not tried it myself. Anti-skate adjustment seems like many things related to audio, a compromise.

Conrad's Free Stuff

Messy Basement Software Downloads

www.conradhoffman.com