8
Set the 3-position switch (33-OFF-45) to its OFF position (middle position).
4.1.2
Fit the Belt (preliminary)
Fit a belt around the platter and the motor pulley. Locate the belt slightly
above the center of the non-grooved section of the platter and parallel to the
indexing grooves on its side wall.
Slowly move the motor pod to exert enough tension on the belt to hold it in
place.
You can achieve very close to the ideal tension by observing the distance
that the belt deflects with light pressure from your finger.
i. Press on the belt at the midpoint between the motor pulley and where the
belt releases from the platter.
ii. A gram or two of side force should deflect the belt from 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-
12mm).
The motor’s bushing is robust and will tolerate a large error. In the next
section you will learn how to easily and accurately set a light tension - a
setting which results in optimum motor bushing health as well as the best
sonics.
4.1.3
Fine Tuning Belt Position
Overview
You will find that adjusting the belt position up and down on the platter involves
“working” the belt with your fingertips along the entire circumference of the platter
which contacts the belt (over half the platter’s circumference).
This is why we recommend delaying your first cartridge mount until after you are
familiar with the process.
Procedure
Position the belt so that it is level with the motor pulley while remaining
parallel to the grooved index lines on the platter.
As you re-position the belt, you may need to re-tension it by moving the motor
pod.
.Once the belt appears to be the same height as the pulley, re-tension it
(moving the motor pod), as noted above.
Slowly rotate the platter by hand (1/4 of a turn or less, at first) and observe
the position of the belt on both the platter and the pulley.
The belt starts to "walk off” the top of the pulley:
i. Stop rotating the platter and reverse its rotation to settle the belt back
on the pulley.
ii. Gently slide the belt downward - along the entire platter area that the
belt contacts.
