The best phono cartridge alignment tool


The best phono cartridge alignment tool.  Can anyone recommend a phono cartridge alignment tool that:

- Has both horizontal and vertical (azimuth) alignment

-  isn't that complex to use

-  is under $300?

Some of the phone cartridges I'm interested aren't available in my area so professional set-up is not an option.  If I'm going to spend $2K to $4K on a cartidge I really need to make sure I nail the installation.  thanks.

 

russellrcncom

Showing 2 responses by wlutke

I have the Geo Disc, the Mint and the Feickert. Maybe because I wear bifocals I don’t’ recommend the Geo. Sighting down that rail to the pivot is near impossible. I have to stand way back to see the whole rail in focus.
The Mint is the most accurate thing I’ve ever seen, in theory. There are a couple “gotchas”. Both the arc the stylus traverses and the null point angles are extremely accurate. So accurate that if the spindle to pivot is off even a millimeter it’s not possible to align the cantilever to the grid at both null points simultaneously. Another gotcha is the only way to set overhang is trial and error. If the stylus is on target at both null points the overhang is correct. But there’s no reference. Just set the stylus on one grid and check it on the other. Simple, right? No. It will be off. Figuring which way and how much to change the overhang is a shot in the dark. It can easily take an hour. My work around was to tape down the Mint to the old cartridges overhang, then remove the old cartridge. The last gotcha is getting a powerful enough loop that doesn’t hit the cart before it’s in focus. Don’t believe anyone who says it’s easy. It’s a pain.
The Feickert automatically compensates for S2P error and has a reference for setting overhang. Aligning the cartridge to the grid is straight forward from there.
All protractors only get you in the ballpark. That last bit of adjustment is on you.

Here’s a tip for finding the pivot on a Rega and some other arms when using the Feickert. With the arm on the lift I place a 3/8” square of sticky note with a dot in the center over the pivot. With the Feickert pointer over the dot, I’ll swing the arm towards the spindle. If the dot moves from under the pointer, I missed.