How to properly set up a turntable

mijostyn2,

Your very brief summary of correct setup is very helpful.and sensible.  The only addition I would make is that the perfectly parallel arm is the starting point from which minor deviations should be tried to find the optimal VTA setting by ear.  As for finding parallel, with most arms, you can used a ruled index card set behind the arm when it is in playing position on a record to see which way it tilts.

Peter Ledermann, the founder of Sound Smith, has a really good series of videos on setup that not only supplies the "how to" aspect of setup, but also the "why this is the way to do it" explanation.  These can be found by googling them.

The only difficulty with the SmartTracker (I own one) is the requirement to find the precise location of the bearing; on some arms it is not that easy to do.  After you do that, and after locking the platter so it doesn't move (painter's tape or a wedge between the platter and plinth), the one point alignment makes it easy to do correctly.  It is expensive, but it works well if you need a universal tool. 

If you only need a tool that works for your particular table and tonearm, a Mint alignment tool really works well too, and is MUCH cheaper.