Setting up a new turntable - what your mother didn't tell you!

The housing of the system isn't the
important thing.

The stylus has to go in a 90 degrees angle into
the grove (the original v15 idea).
In the end you'll hear better then your eyes
manage to look.

try to varing the heights of the arm until
you got the best sound, then do the same
with the counterweight (for and backwards).

the written figures of 1.12g are only a hint
and differ from system to system.

have fun listening

****

bye the way for the lp12 adjustment use your dealer who is familiar with lp12 setup and
could do the same you do in a week in a few
hours (i don't wanna say that you are not able
to manage it, i even don't know whether you've
done 1000's lp12 setup by yourself...)

Regards
-mb

Hi Timbo:

Yes, rotating the main counterweight will likely change the horizontal azimuth as the C/W is not perfectly balanced when machined. However, you'll also change the VTF. Bummer.

Good job on the lead out wires. These can make a difference too (see later).

The little weight you say is tight is the one you need to move and has a plastic insert which does grip well. In my experience, the chances of getting this smack on are small. Plus it's a pain to have to remove the arm top everytime you make an adjustment but you *must* do that.

My method (which is mine and belongs to me...) is to place the bubble level that came with the ARO centrally on the top of the arm cup. You will need to print out a small, round template of concentric circles from a computer draw program to do this accurately. This does need to be accurate.

You can now see how far out you are dynamically, i.e. whilst playing a record. As long as the cartridge, viewed from the front, is leaning to the right you can simply add small bits of BluTak to the azimuth weight until you get it right. You'll be surprised how little is needed. Believe me, this is much easier than putzing with that weight. Some folks actually remove the weight and use BluTak only.

While you've got the bubble level in place, put the arm on a (spinning) record about 1/3 way in and then again, almost at the end of the side. No difference in the bubble? Good. Some difference? Your lead out wires from under the bearing cup are putting a torsional force on the arm as it gets near the centre. Simply fiddle with them a bit. My favorite way to move them is with the short end of an allen key.

All this is worth it.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

If you bought it "new" as in your post, your dealer should be able to help you with all that. That's why they get the big bucks as we say Stateside...
David

for the info chaps!

I decided last night to start from scratch and make sure mana wall shelf was level - it wasn't, not quite. Then leveled up the turntable - OK, also checked the armboard - OK. Managed to move the small lateral counterweight right up against the arm cup, was easy once I had removed the arm tube. re-checked tracking force set it up for 2 grams and put on a record.

Was a nice sound and I was enjoying it. However I decided to have a look to see how the arm was doing and according to my eyesight the arm bearing cup looked like it was leaning to the left, the cartridge seems to be facing straight down and tracking OK.

I wonder if this is an optical illusion as the arm should automatically balance. I thought about removing the lateral counterweight completely but run out ot time and I didn't want to do anything in haste.

I think what I'll do is leave it for a while as I'm out of the country for a few days from tomorrow and when I come back give it a spin and see how it goes, it might be that the deck needs to settle in for a few days and gets some hours on the bearing, arm and stylus.

If I'm still not happy I'll get the dealer round (he's only 20 mins up the road) + I understand he has another customer in my area with the same configuration so I might try and organise a visit.

Tim

it's a pain to have to remove the arm top everytime you make an adjustment but you *must* do that

Why??

- Jun

Hi Jun:

"Why?"

Because Naim tell you to of course.

Actually, that little weight is tight and trying to man-handle it with the arm in place is begging for disaster.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn‡

I can slide the little weight easily to and fro. I think to remove the arm-top every time is a much greater distress for the bearing...

Am I missing something?

- Jun

Hi Jun:

I think you're lucky. Non of the arms I've played with would allow that. As long as your's isn't *too* loose, I think you're on to a winner.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunnd