Cartridge alignment 101

Hi Johan, I'd focus on getting the alignment right with your protractor so the cantilever (and hopefully the stylus) is exactly aligned with the grid and the record groove at both null points. It is probably designed to the Baerwald alignment so will give you equally low distortion on the inner grooves as the outer grooves. Tip: use a magnifying glass.

Hi Johan,
I've found this card protractor very good as long as you get the arrow accurately pointed
at the arm pivot.
When the alignment was checked with an expensive Dr. Feickert job it was very close.
Tracking seems to be consistent across the record.

suede wrote: Thanks Jon. Maybe I should get a better protractor sheet to use - but if it sounds right, open, detailed and free of distortion, could it still be doing damage? Is alignment by hearing not a good way to do it (even with help of a Solo UL ;))

No the issue would be if you heard distortion on peaks or even jumping. My understanding (which may be wrong) is the stylus should stay in contact with the groove and may cause damage if not.

My apologies for the short reply (poor internet connection my end) and thanks to Richard. That's what you need - a reliable tool to do the alignment. When the mounting distance (distance from platter spindle to arm pivot) is known then arc protractors are very good because they let you fix one variable and then work on the other, just as Richard wrote. If you get a paper arc protractor I suggest using it on top of an old record not on the platter because the height will be slightly closer to playing height.

My other practical tip is using a little blu-tac to stop the platter turning after you aim the line at the arm pivot.