Origin Live Rega Modification Kits - Manual (Page 10)

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I F Y O U H A V E 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. Ensure that the Aluminium sleeve 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.Fit the arm
cable clip
Fasten the arm cable - 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”. This again is helpful to “earth” vibration in the cable. (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. 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.
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”.
S E T T R A C K I N G F O R C E & S I D E F O R C E B I A S
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 “Rear end view of counterweight” and tighten
firmly - check tracking force is still correct after tightening.
Once the tracking force has been set you can set the sliding control for tracking bias – For Rega arms and arms with a
similar bias adjustment you should set the value of approximately 1 or less due to the fact that the bias adjustments on
Rega arms and similar arms tend to under-read the true value of side force produced. . The settings you read on the
Rega, OL1 or Silver arms are not always dead accurate so it may be worthwhile to fine tune the setting using the
following method. Find a test record or a record with approx 10mm of blank vinyl between the end of the lead out
groove and the record label. Place the stylus needle on the blank uncut vinyl and see whether the needle skates
inwards towards the centre of the record or outwards. You are aiming to achieve a situation where the needle drifts
slowly towards the centre of the record so adjust the side bias until this state is reached.
U S E O F S T Y L U S F O R C E G U A G E
Most stylus force gauges work on the same principle as a set of scales or balances. For example with the Ortofon
Stylus Force Gauge, first place the stylus on the inscribed or graduated portion of the scales. Then try the stylus at
different points until you find the point where the beam “balances” freely in a roughly level position. You then read
the force that is being exerted –( 1gram = 10 mN if the scale is in mN). 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. The Shure stylus force gauge
works slightly differently so follow the instructions that come with the gauge.
S E T T H E 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 necessary that the base of the arm is at the correct height
in relation to the platter. 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. Place the cartridge on the
record with the deck switched off. Hold the card edge onto the record in a position alongside the arm and see
whether the top edge of the arm is parallel.. Raise or lower the base of the arm till you achieve parallel position. Most
cartridges have a height of 17mm. If this is the case, the base of the arm should rest approximately 31mm below the
top of the platter surface –see diagram “cross-section of sub-chassis”.