Cartridge Set Up Essentials


Just wondering what kit you consider "essential" for proper cartridge alignment for any/all turntables. What should every audiophile have on hand to be able to optimize cartridge set up regardless of turntable brand? For each piece of kit please comment on ease of use and consistency of results. For example, I purchased a MINT Tractor many years ago to use with my VPI Scout and found it very difficult to use--lots of eye strain and uncertain outcomes. Let's hear it!
dodgealum

Showing 2 responses by nandric

Does anyone use the same size of shoes? My best friend uses
even smaller kind. His reason: ''it feels so good when I put them
off''. Aka ; it depends.
It depends from the number of tonearms, number of carts and
even the size of the spindle  in the number of TT's one owns.
Besides from the ''audio-nervosa'' of the person involved.
I use 3 tonearms on two TT's and own 3 x Mint tractors. For each
tonearm one. All my carts (+50) are ''pre-adjusted'' in their headshells
whit the help of an (plastic) caliper. This way exact ''eff. length'' 
(stylus distance to the pivot) can be determined. By fastening on
the tonearm the geometry can be checked by following the Mint
curve. If I only knew how to adjust the anti-skate...
The writings of our beloved Syntax are an curious mix of Kantian
categorical imperatives and Monty Python's humor.