Skewed cantilever

Uh-oh.
You'll have the devil trying to get HTA set..actually, you can't. Using meters on a cassette deck or CDB, you may see channel imbalance...probably will.

You didn't say the age of the cart, if it arrived outta the box this way, or if you may have done it.

Depending on how long it's been in your possesion, you may have an uphill fight w/ the distributor on a warranty claim.

An off center cantilever (on a new unit) is a DEFECTIVE cart. *Unacceptable*.

Broadcast: *Inspect all new carts very, very carefully upon receipt for cantilever alignment. Good reviews result in massive increases in production runs.*

Been there - and suffered - w/ a certain german MM in the $800 price range.

Unless the tonearm bearings are REALLY bad, insufficient or even zero anti-skate is unlikely to skew a cantilever or suspension. Unless there's meaningful resistance from the arm, the whole affair will simply glide along following the pull from the stylus.

OTOH, anti-skate set too high could skew a cantilever to the left (inward). In this case the resistance of the stylus in the groove counters the (excessive) outward pull on the arm. This tension would be absorbed by the suspension in the cartridge, which could eventually take a set.

If the cantilver is skewed to the right doesn't that mean you do not have enough anti-skate set? Some tonearms are under-set even if dialed in correctly.

Rnm4,

When checking/adjusting cartridge alignment, always:

1) set VTF to where you'd normally play the cartridge,
2) set VTA to where you'd normally play the cartridge and,
3) disengage anti-skating (ie, set it to zero).

Failure to do the above can lead to inaccurate results.

For inspection, try cueing the stylus down onto a mirror instead of an LP. Things will be easier to see. Then use your protractor to align the cantilever, not the cartridge body, as Stefanl said.

You may be able to adjust for a twisted cantilever. Some tonearms have an azimuth adjustment, some don't. Check your tonearm's manual or let us know which arm you're using.

If your arm has no azimuth adjustment it's still possible to fiddle azimuth a bit using the shim technique shown on Wally's site:

http://www.simplyblack.net/WVC/Technical_F_wally.htm

Scroll down to the fourth photo for his clever method. Unfortunately, putting shims between cartridge and headshell can impair their coupling. This could affect sound in negative ways, so it's not a perfect solution.

If this cartridge is new, I'd ask the dealer for a replacement. Vinyl damage is not very likely unless the skew is extreme, but sonic damage beyond your ability to adjust it away is very likely indeed.

The stylus angle will change when it is in the groove as oppposed to when you hold it up,the weight of the cartridge body will apply downforce etc..If it looks correct after careful examination and it sounds good it could be o.k.,butI would use my judgement here.If you are worried that it will damage your records,change the cartridge.

It may be twisted a bit too, so the stylus is not pointing straight down, but canted a bit to the right. Can this be adjusted for? Is it dangerous to my vinyl?

thats exactly what you need to do, always line up the stylus and cantilever, as opposed to lining up the cart. body.

If it's only a few degrees to the right it is o.k.Line the cantilever up carefully with the centre line of your protractor.I use a magnifying glass and a strong light also.