Origin Live MK3C arms dual pivot - Manual (Page 8)

Page8
vary tracking forces from the manufacturers recommendations -
neither would we worry if the arm was up to 2mm away from the
recommended distance from the spindle - although all these details
are audible they are generally of a relatively low order, however
tracking force and VTA in particular are worth fi ne tuning 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 fi ne 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 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 groove
displacements of the order of a few millionths of an inch. (That’s
like splitting a hair into one thousand pieces.) Every bit of motion
or vibration allowed at this level can be heard enormously amplifi ed
through your speakers. For this reason it is good to set up the
turntable and arm correctly so that the audio cartridge can do it’s
job properly. For instance a turntable out of level can produce side
forces on the pickup cartridge tip that will wear it more on one side
than the other as well as have a slightly degrading effect on the
wear of your records.
LEVELNESS
When a turntable goes out of level, the platter bearing performance
and the arm’s dynamics, specifi cally anti-skate, are negatively
affected. So be sure your turntable platter and tonearm mounting
board are level - use a spirit level. If the platter is out of level, fi rst
adjust the surface that the deck stands on. The suspension (in the
case of a suspended sub-chassis design) may also need levelling if it
has subsided over time. If the arm board is not level (which means
the arm pivot is not vertical), either return it to your dealer for
repair or re-level it yourself by shimming between the mounting
board and it’s support.
HI-FI CARTRIDGES ALIGNMENT
Alignment for hi-fi cartridges needs to be optimised in three
different planes. However, it cannot be perfect in all three planes,
so it must be optimised for an overall best balance or compromise.
The fi nal authority should always be your ears and preferably over
an extended period of listening. Bear in mind that each record is
cut slightly differently. Here again, optimise for an overall balance
of good sound over a wide range of records. The three alignment
planes are as follows. (Please note that it is the stylus, not the
cartridge that is being aligned.)
Lateral tracking angle
Viewed from above, the hi-fi cartridges arcing movement across
the record must maintain the stylus in the same relation to the
groove as that of the cutting stylus’s straight-line tracking; this is
Lateral Tracking Angle, or Tangency. Apart from linear tracking
arms this is always a matter of the best compromise.
Azimuth
Viewed from head on, the stylus must be perpendicular in the
groove so as not to favour one groove wall, and therefore one
channel, over the other wall/channel; this is Azimuth.
Vertical tracking angle (VTA)
Viewed from the side, the stylus must sit correctly in the groove, at
the same angle as the original cutter; this is Vertical Tracking/Stylus
Rake Angle. (VTA, however, varies from record to record due to
their varying thicknesses. Therefore, this alignment must be set by
ear, even more than is the case with the other adjustments).
HI-FI CARTRIDGE ALIGNING TOOLS
Tools required are an alignment gauge, a ruler, a tracking force
gauge, a FLAT record, a screwdriver or Allen keys of the right size
(usually 2mm), a good light may also be helpful. Small needle-nose
pliers and a magnifying glass all help. It also helps to have the hi-fi
news test record. Treat the arm with care as some parts are fragile.
To this end ensure that tightening of any bolts is carried out gently
and without causing undue strain.
Tonearm wiring uses a standard color code for channel and polarity
identifi cation: White = L Hot, Blue = L Ground, Red = R Hot,
and Green = R Ground. If the cartridge pins aren’t color-coded
the same way, they will have letter identifi cations next to them.
Make sure that the arm’s wires, wire clips, and solder joints are
in very good condition. At minimum, clean the contact between
cartridge pins and wire clips by removing and replacing each clip.
Holding the clips with needle-nose pliers can make this easier, but
be careful that you don’t strain the wires where they join the clip.
Check the clips for a proper fi t on the cartridge pins, and adjust
them if necessary. “Proper” means snug but not tight. To check
clip size, hold the cartridge tail-up close to the head wires, grasp
a clip fi rmly right behind its tubular part with the tweezers, line
it up with the cartridge pin, and press. If it does not slide on with
moderate force, the clip needs opening-up. If it slides on easily but
fl ops around when attached, it needs tightening. Re-sizing is the
operation most likely to detach a clip. The trick is to avoid bending
the wire at its attachment point or putting too much tension on
it. To avoid either, always hold the clip with its wire slightly slack-
looped behind it while adjusting. For opening a clip, hold it fi rmly
with the tweezers or needle-noses, right behind its tubular section,
and press the tip of the jeweler’s screwdriver into the open end of its
longitudinal slot until you see this widen very slightly. (Here’s where
you’ll probably need the headband magnifi er or reading glasses.)
You’re dealing with thousandths of an inch here, so a barely visible
spreading may be all that’s needed. Try it for fi t, and repeat until it
does. For tightening a clip, press a toothpick inside it as far as it will
go, then use the needle-nose pliers to gently squeeze together the
sides of the clip near its free end, while watching the slot for any
change. (Attempting to squeeze a clip without the toothpick inside
it will fl atten its sides.) Try it for size, and resqueeze if necessary
until the fi t is correct. When it is, close up the middle section of the
tube to match the end
Proper care and maintenance
of Hi-Fi cartridges & records
C A R E O F C A R T R I D G E S
Replace your cartridge when due - hi-fi cartridges have a lifespan
for their cantilever suspensions and stylus needles. This will vary
from manufacturer and type of cartridge as well as other factors
like the cleanliness of your record and the care you take of the
cartridge. It is wise to enquire on the expected life of your cartridge
to the manufacturer so that when the time comes it is replaced
accordingly - most importantly this will preserve your records as
well as enable you to enjoy the best performance.