Tonearm Parallel?

It all depends on the cartridge IMO. I usually start with the cartridge parallel, after the cantilever has settled in, then listen with arm slightly lower and then slightly higher. You will find the sweet spot soon with one setting.

You start with arm tube parallel to the record surface (cartridge tracking weight within limits) and then go up or down.

Your cartridge manufacturer can give you the best guidance, since some cartridges require their top or bottom side to be parallel to record surface.

That is not the end of story though, as all other adjustments are equally crucial.

When you hit the spot the thing opens up considerably.

That’s what she said.

I’m sorry, that was just too good of a setup.

On a serious note, every cartridge will have a recommended angle for the cantilever in relation to playing the record. If you really want to get perfect about your setup, pick up a little usb microscope online. Shouldn’t cost but around $20. Then you can take photos and measure actual angle to verify things are perfect. I used to think my turntable was set up correctly, but just checking by eye had it 1.5° off. Once I fixed it to the recommended value, things were COMPLETELY different with so much more lively sound and detail. Definitely $20 well spent.

Here ya go!

https://www.amazon.com/Record-Measuring-Tonearm-Cartridge-Azimuth/dp/B07TXBB2JH/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=1345802832480670&hvadid=84112753102918&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=101285&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-84113057663977%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=7893_10674031&keywords=azimuth+tool&qid=1668438360&sr=8-2

I own a Sound-Smith Paua II on a VPI Prime Signature with JMW Uni-Pivot. Thought I had the cart and arm zeroed in but just had the opportunity to have J.R. from WAM Eng. install the dual pivot and correctly set up the cart. All I can say is WOW. You don't know what you are missing until you hear your TT/arm/cart properly set up. Fine Line styli require very careful alignment to sit into the grooves properly. I'm not trying to promote WAM but in my experience I now am convinced that without the proper set-up tools your cart is probably not performing at it's best. The geometries involved are in the sub-micron range. It's not something you can do by ear.

@yogiboy I have the same tool. Works great!

The late , brilliant AJ Conti of Basis Turntables said that he thought that being obsessed w/ “perfect” VTA was mostly a waste of time because records can be different thicknesses & can be cut to different depths too. And this was a man OBSESSED w/ precision & details! He 

His turntables & tone arms have stood the test  of time are amongst the very best available. I’ve had my 2500 & Vector 4 arm for 20 years, changed the belt & cartridge once & still sounds excellent & only recently has digital music sources truly competed vs. it. 

I assume that the angles mentionned with the cartridge instructions will be achieved when the tonearm is parallel. 
 

now every cartridge has a different height, mostly between 17 and 19 mm. As i swap cartridges regularly i would have to optimize with every swap. Which i am too lazy. 
 

I read values of 4 to 8 mm for the tonearm to be raised which sounds enormous. Other statements are ‚slightly, higher  at the bearing side. 
 

I will give it 2-3 mm.

FWIW, I always start with top of headshell parallel to platter surface and if necessary adjust up or down in tiny increments (<2mm typically) if need is perceived. And yes you can do this by ear.

Parallel is the recommended place to begin.

FWIW, I always start with top of headshell parallel to platter surface and if necessary adjust up or down in tiny increments (<2mm typically) if need is perceived. And yes you can do this by ear.

👍 - Unfortunately, not all arm tubes are on line with their cartridge mount - where you’re trying begin as @lewm mentions

Potential pitfall 2.) Many tonearms create VTF changes for the cartridge/stylus when VTA is adjusted - be aware of what you’re listening to/for

Cartridge setups are a combing-through process that should finish in most cases as a “set & forget” with all the variables in-the-window 🎶

If differences are not experienced, then just go for a technically correct setup and call it a day.

I have to say that I really like using the WAM reference tool kit. It is a great way to know when the headshell will hold the cart parallel to the record surface. It will also confirm a neutral azimuth from the headshell perspective.  Great set up tools.

Always start with the tonearm level and adjust +/- from there as needed AFTER the cartridge has run in for 50 hours or so.  

However a level tonearm is irrelevant.  You really want a level top of cartridge headshell.  Tonearms are hard to sight in.  

My method is to put a bubble level on top of the headshell when the cartridge is resting on a non moving LP.  Of course the platter must also be level and you need to adjust the tracking force to temporarily compensate for the level weight. Then adjust the tonearm height.  Document the settings for a level cartridge and adjust from there. 

@jorgjean 

I have a similar question , " VTA my compromise setting "  .

Read the answers I received .

So parallel to which record ? a 140gr or a 180gr ?   

Also watch Soundsmith's Peter Ledermann's videos  ,  https://www.sound-smith.com/soundsmith-cartridge-alignment .

Interesting link, interesting videos. So many variables to get the sound right from the cartridge through the tonearm and the phonopreamp….
 

I have a program to do adjust adjustment. Once it is set for with the bajonett headshell for the various cartridges its done. The VTA you would have to adjust everytime you change the cartridge. It will obviously also change with the tracking force you apply. That looks very time consuming considering each cartridge has different height which changes the vta again..

I guess getting the VTA horizontal with the highest cartridge and adjusting the tracking force of the individual carftidges will bring me close.

Otherwise i would have to stick to 1 cardtridge and optimize it.

The SRA needs to be 92 degrees. The arm has to be adjusted to achieve that angle. 

@jorgjean 

Happy Day After Thanksgiving 

How many cartridges do you play with ? 

Suggestion 1 stereo and 1 mono from the same company and possibly even the same model  like Soundsmith Carmen mkII that comes in both or the Grado Prestige Specialty series Gold . This would eliminate height and weight differences.

Just something to think about .

I play 4 catridges, depending on the music I listen. All different sound signatures and varying in height by 1 mm. Benz Gullwing, My Sonic Lab, Van den Hull and Goldring Ethos. 
 

adjusting each time would be a pain.. 

@jorgjean 

Nice cartridges ,   my experience with setting the VTA parallel using a 160gr records works very well for records between 120gr and 200gr , I have a few records that are very light at 105gr that sounded bright .  

Using John Denver's "Poems, Prayers & Promises" one being a US Dynaflex pressing weighing 105gr and the other being a German pressing weighing 150gr the difference was noticeable but now as much as one would think . I've thought about trying to use a 150gr record to set the VTA but for now I think I have a few more 200gr records than 105gr ones so for now I'll keep 160gr as the middle or compromise setting .

Good Luck