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Notes
A detailed description of Cartridge set up and care is included in the end sections of this manual.
Please note that the occasional rewired arm can make a slight “rustling” noise through the speakers when it is lifted
across the record. This should not be a cause for concern as it is only caused by microphony of the internal litz cable -
under normal playing conditions this is inaudible.
Check that the arm can move freely across the whole record – if there is a “catch” then it is almost certain that the
curved arm rest is fouling on the yoke – simply rotate the arm rest till it no longer fouls – this can be carried out without
loosening the arm rest grub screw.
On the Illustrious and encounter tone-arms you can get a “gripping” action with the arm rest clip if you rotate it very
slightly so that it is at an angle to the arm ( not too much or you might get wear on the arm ).
The earth lead should be connected to the earth of your pre-amplifier or amplifier. This earth lead is best separated
slightly from the arm signal leads so do not wind it around them for best performance.
Now that all the hard work is over you can settle back and hear the results - we wish you many hours of enjoyable music
and rediscovering your record collection.
You can increase the height of the lift / lower arm rest by loosening the small allen screw in the side of the curved arm
rest and raising it slightly – finish by retightening it in position.
The sound of new arms and rewires will improve significantly over the first 2 weeks as items “bed in” and arm
wires burn in.
Fit the cartridge to the arm using an alignment gauge and ensure the headshell wires are bent so that they are clear of the
record surface. Ensure that the bias adjustment slider is set to zero. Set the tracking force to the manufacturer’s
recommendations using a stylus force gauge (stylus balance). When tightening the counterweight, set it so that the Allen
bolt is at the side of the arm (not at the top) see figure below and tighten firmly - check tracking force is still correct after
tightening.
It is worth experimenting with VTA adjustment if you can. Slightly raise and lower the arm and then listen - if the sound
is bright then the arm is too high, if it is dull and bass heavy then the arm is too low.
We guarantee arms to be free from fault for 2 years and will undertake to correct any faults providing the arm has not
been modified by any party other than ourselves and has not received maltreatment of any kind.
NOTE: The Ortofon stylus force gauge works on the same principle as a set of scales or balances. First, place the stylus
on the inscribed line on the white portion of the scales. Then try the stylus at different points along the line until you
find the point where the white plastic beam “balances” freely in a roughly level position. You then read the force that is
being exerted - 1gram = 10 mN on the numbered scale. From this number you can assess whether you need to increase
the tracking force or vica-versa. Move the tonearm counterweight accordingly and re-measure the tracking force.
Repeat this procedure until the correct tracking force is obtained.
A detailed description of Cartridge set up and care is included in the end sections of this manual.
H i - F i
c a r t r i d g e s -
s e t t i n g
u p
p r o c e d u r e s
I N T R O D U C T I O N
General comments
As we supply most makes of hi-fi cartridge we get asked questions from time to time about various issues regarding set
up and care. To help newcomers to this area we have published the following notes. These guidelines are of a general
nature - we publish them only to be of help and although widely accepted they are not formally authoritative - we cannot
accept liability if you choose to use them and neither do we encourage the time consuming occupation of answering
queries surrounding the procedures outlined - these are best referred to the manufacturer of your specific hi-fi cartridge.
For those new or inexperienced to fitting hi-fi cartridges we would state that this is NOT difficult and much of the detail
and perfectionism outlined below is for those who like to experiment. We ourselves do not normally check azimuth, or
vary tracking forces from the manufacturers recommendations - neither would we worry if the arm was up to 3mm away
from the recommended distance from the spindle - although all these details are audible they are generally of a fairly low
order, although tracking force and VTA are worth trying should you feel anything is lacking. If things seem complicated
we would encourage you not to be put off as it all becomes clear once you get started.
Before fine tuning the set up as described below you should allow the cartridge to "run in" properly - at least 40 hours for
some cartridges.
Importance of cartridge set up
Hi-Fi cartridges travel like a bobsleigh through the grooves of a record only a few thousandths of an inch wide. You hear