Origin Live Sovereign MKI - Manual (Page 9)

9
Final setup of tonearm
I N S T A L L I N G T H E A R M
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Please note that for Origin Live tonearms - do not adjust bearing tightness - this is carefully set at factory - it may seem that there is “play”
in the bearings - this is
deliberate and must be left alone or degradation will result - it is not actually play in the bearing races but careful
bearing house fitting to allow a loose bearing fit thus “floating” the arm rather than rigidly coupling it to the deck.
V T A ( V E R T I C A L T R A C K I N G A D J U S T M E N T )
To allow the cartridge needle to track at the correct angle it is important that the base of the arm is at the correct height in relation to the
platter.
For Rega arms, the OL1 series and Silver arm
- Usually the optimum setting is such that the TOP edge of the arm is parallel with
the surface of a FLAT record – you can use a piece of card with parallel lines drawn on it to check this once the cartridge is fitted.
For the Encounter, Illustrious and Conqueror arms
– the centre line of the tapered arm tube should be parallel with the surface
of a FLAT record. You can use the template supplied to help judge this.
It is always best to experiment with vta height by varying it and listening to the results till you have found the optimum position.
Most cartridges have a height of 17mm and if this is the case, then the base of the arm should rest approximately 31mm below the top of the
platter surface. If your cartridge height is different you can work out where the base of the arm should be from the preceding figures.
U S I N G T H E O R I G I N L I V E V T A S L I D I N G A D J U S T E R
Do not fit a threaded VTA adjuster (supplied with some arms – this is a large knurled disc that can thread onto the arm base). Ensure
that the Aluminium sleeve (this
IS the VTA sliding adjuster) is the right way up with the recess on the top side. This ensures that the
arm goes all the way down into the sleeve. Place the arm in the aluminium sleeve and then clamp it in position via the set screw in the
side of the VTA housing (i.e the sleeve is forced in to grip the arm’s threaded base). You do not need the Rega nut on the base of the
arm. Only tighten the set screw sufficiently to clamp the arm firmly in position – over-tightening can make the arm sound bright.
F I T T H E A R M C A B L E C L I P
Fasten the arm cable in position with a nut & bolt through the cable clip. This should be supported by a cable clip screwed into position
underneath the plinth - leave a slight droop on it so that it isn’t “tight”. The clip fastens to the underside of the plinth outer ring using
the hole near the rear chrome pod. This again is helpful to “earth” vibration in the cable. (Please note that the occasional 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 cable - under normal playing conditions this is inaudible. 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. Avoid pulling the external wires at the base of the Silver arms as they are not indestructible and can become detached if
excessive force is used to manipulate them.
S E T F I N A L D E C K L E V E L N E S S
A R M & C A R T R I D G E S E T U P
F I T T H E C A R T R I D G E ( I F N O T F I T T E D A L R E A D Y )
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. If you are not familiar with fitting cartridges then please read the section “Hi-Fi Cartridges – Setting up procedures”.