Essential TT/Cartridge Set up tools


After much fretting...I've deciced to go with an VPI HW19MKIII with a Rega RB300 arm (purchased seperately) On my previous Throrens, and current AR. I believe all I used to set up my turntable was the cartridge manufuacturers template, and the basic instructions from the TT manual for setting Anti-skate, tracking force etc... What tools should I get to make sure I get everything setup right. There seems to be a wide range of scales, protractors, etc... available at an equally wide range of prices.

What really is needed and any recommendations on the most cost effecient easy to use tools?

Thanks in Advance,

Tom
tder

Showing 2 responses by 4yanx

Tom is correct, you don't really need expensive tools to do a very credible job of setup. Some of the settings, especially VTA, is something you will want to hone in by ear anyway.

On the subject of scales, the Shure gauge works fine in most all applications. Make sure you get the non-magnetized later version, though. I recently bought a small pocket digital scale that works very nicely, indeed, and is accurate to 0.01 gr. It is a bit more than the Shure gauge, but not on the order of, say, the $500+ they want for the Winds scales. I think I paid $63-something with all shipping included. I tested it with a 10gr, 25gr, and 50gr weight and the scale read them all dead-on. Please find the link below (there are others, of course).

http://saveonscales.com/js50.html
Bombaywall, I'll speak for myself and let Doug correct me if this isn't also what he meant. With the scale I have, it is a bit "thinner" than the height of the platter + a "standard" LP thickness. My scale isn't magnetic, so I put pad of just the right thickness of "sticky pads" under the scale so as to bring the height of the scale pan equal to the height of the platter + LP. If your scale IS magnetic, maybe putting the "shim" on top of the scale pan and zeroing out the scale will separate it sufficiently from the cartridge. If THAT makes any sense. :-)