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Should the platter and plinth be level?

Greetings all -

I've always made sure the plinth on my Rega P5 is level using a carpenters "bulls-eye" level. On a whim the other day I popped the level up onto to the platter and was amazed that it did not show it to be level. When I move it down to the plinth - it's showing level.

Don't misunderstand me - it's not a dramatic amount and if I eye-ball the platter and subplatter in relation to the plinth it all looks to be fairly level.

Should I be concerned that the platter is not rotating exactly level to the plinth? Should I adjust everything so that the platter is level and not worry about the plinth being level? I've checked speed, etc. - and everything's working smoothly without any problems so I suppose I shouldn't be worried about it but can't help thinking it's a bit odd.

Any input would be appreciated - I'd also REALLY appreciate anyone owning a P5 or P25 if they wouldn't mind checking to see if the same anomoly exists on their tables - maybe it's just the way it's designed and assembled.
slate1
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Slate1,

Don't worry so much about the tonearm/platter angle. What is important is the angle of the stylus to the record. That is why we have all of these adjustments, VTA, azimuth, overhang, etc. Get the platter level then adjust whatever you need to in order to get the stylus angle correct in relation to the now level record groove.
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
Slate,

The RB-700 is a bearing arm, which requires a leveled pinch (actually the arm board). Otherwise, the arm will put more pressure towards the lower side.

On the other hand, a unipivoted arm (i.e. VPI JMW) is self-leveled which requires a leveled platter to maintain correct angular relationship with the record.
dr_balance
16 posts
 
My J.A michell Tecnodec does also the same thing. The platter is level but the base is not. I don't let it bother me. The small difference is nothing and can be compensated through tonearm adjustment like DAN_ED suggested above.
slate1 OP
82 posts
 
Sidssp - this is the most logical response I've gotten yet. So I should just get the plinth (and hence the armboard since it's bolted directly to the plinth) level and not worry about it. It's pretty much sitting at a happy medium between the two now after I adjusted a few things.

Dr_balance & Dan_ed - the problem with these Rega arms is that there are NO adjustments. Don't get me wrong, the RB-700 is one of the finest arms I've ever experienced but you can not adjust a single thing other than tracking weight and anti-skate.
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