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VTA setting up.....how do I find level?

I've read advice to "raise the rear of the tonearm .03 inches from level" for best performance of my Lyra Helikon cartridge.

OK, how do you find level? If I place a bubble level on the tonearm it stresses the stylus with the extra weight! (damage potential!?) and bends the arm down, so it's not in the normal playing position.

Then, the numbered barrel on the JMW12.5 arm indicates what? (numbered 0 through 99)

Could someone address this particular step of the setup please?
jbatlanta

Showing 3 responses by lugnut

lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Doug,

The armboard may be right for all I know. Both the arm and the board are on their way to Chris. I'll let you all know what the culprit item is. I'd just like to get this done right and hear it in it's glory before it leaves my house. Besides, I don't find it fun at all to handle these pieces more than the minimum if you know what I mean. Regarding the 901, the stylus is an irregular shape so visualizing a vertical line through it is impossible for me. I'll have to do it the way I've done it for the last 35 years; using my ears. Finding level is a very good place to start. I thank you again for pointing me to Jon's post at AA.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Jbatlanta,

I really recommend you go to Audio Asylum and on the home page click on FAQ. Scroll down until you see the section on turntable set up. If you read all the posts and especially Jon Risch's "VTA and forget it" you'll be an expert.
lugnut
1,190 posts
 
Actually, I have to credit Dougdeacon for pointing me in the direction of the Jon Risch post at AA a month or so ago. I was going to post the recipe card suggestion but since so many of the cartridge bodies are not a true rectangle I decided not to. When using the card make sure that it's up against the cartridge body or very parallel to it. Also, make sure the card is not influenced by the outer hump on the record. Shorten the card to avoid the outer edge.
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