4
C. TRACKING FORCE AND AZIMUTH
Make sure the turntable is level. Refer to your turntable instructions and use a bubble
level to check level. In most cases, the best place to put the level is on the platter.
With a unipivot arm it is particularly important to level the turntable.
First, the lateral balance or azimuth must be set. Because the phono cartridge is
offset, there is an unbalancing force that tilts the arm to one side. For the cartridge to
properly track the record groove, the stylus must be ninety degrees to the record
surface. Place a record on the platter and move the counterweight so a slight tracking
force is applied and the stylus just sits on the record surface.
Use the counterweight or azimuth ring to set correct azimuth. Lay the long thin rod
supplied behind the cartridge mounting screws into the V groove and use it as a guide
for setting azimuth. Rotate the flat part of the ring towards the side that is lower and
that side will become lighter causing it to rise. Playing with this will give very accurate
azimuth settings. You can also rotate the counterweight around its axis to do the
same thing.
Unlike other unipivot arms, the JMW’s lateral balance weight does not hang off to the
side of the arm. Instead, its position around the bottom of the upper bearing housing
places the weight below the pivot point. This increases mass below the pivot and
increases arm stability.
FIG #2: THE PROPER WAY TO ALIGN A CARTRIDGE, ALIGN THE CARTRIDGE, NOT THE
TONEARM HEADSHELL! SHOWN IN WHITE FOR CLARITY.
