I use a tiny level that comes with Van den Hull cartridges. I then added a few more lines with a magic marker so I can have finer measurements. I place the level on the headshell to check VTA and azimuth. Does the trick.
Parallel? How do you set the VTA?
Silly question, but how do you guys determine whether your tonearm is parallel to the record surface? I had my tonearm set up happily for months, but recently started messing around with the cartridge alignment and the VTA, and I'll be damned, but the folded index card method gets me nowhere now. Even with adjustments I keep getting the same visual effect. Happily my ear tells me when the setting is off, but as a base, how do you determine conclusively your tonearm is parallel? For reference, I have a VPI Classic. Thanks.