Setting the Tracking Force and Tonearm Height
•
Tracking force is adjusted by moving the tonearm counterweight
forward and back on its shaft. If your cartridge is heavy and the
counterweight is all the way back, you can order a heavier weight
from your dealer.
•
The JMW Signature Tonearm does not have a built-in tracking
force gauge. We recommend that you use Shure Stylus Force
Gauge or good digital gauge. Place the gauge on the platter and
raise or lower the arm so it is parallel to the platter when sitting
on the record. Only when the arm is parallel to the platter will
you get an accurate VTF reading.
•
Follow the gauge instructions and set the tracking force according
to the cartridge manufacturer’s recommendation. We recommend
always going to the high side of tracking force. High frequency
vibrations on a light-tracking cartridge can cause more damage to
the grooves of a record than running a cartridge at a heavy
setting. Always go 1/10
th
gram higher than the maximum
recommendation.
•
To adjust the arm height, loosen the setscrews on the base of the
arm assembly and turn the adjustment wheel above the base.
When the arm is at the desired height, tighten the screws.
•
NOTE: If you put a 5” X 7” lined index card next to the arm with
the lines parallel to the arm tube when it is on the record, you can
set the height very accurately parallel to the record. That should
be your zero starting point for tuning VTA.
