overhang adjustment vs. twisting in slots

ilewis33 · 17th March 2009, 12:48 PM

Hello - I have an AT AT-PL120 turntable (Technics 1200 clone), and a Shure M97xe cartridge. I have been using various alignment methods and have a theory question.

When using a 2 point protractor (I have been using Stevenson, but it doesn't matter), it seems that you can move the cartridge to almost any point in the slots and then rotate it in the slots to get an alignment. So what should the effective length be set to?

For instance, I've used the Technics arc protractor and set the stylus to the overhang indicated (52 mm). To achieve alignment with the grids at the 2 Baerwald points, I must twist the cartridge within the slots. Sounds fine.

But, I can also move the cartridge WAY back in the slots (almost all the way), and then the cartridge aligns with the simple 2 point protractors, with no twist added. This is an S-arm, by the way.

So which is better? I would think that keeping the effective length as long as possible would be better, but I find it interesting that you can achieve a perfect 2 point alignment with a much shorter effective length. In fact, it seems you can align the cartridge at any length by merely twisting it in the headshell.

Thanks!

Conrad Hoffman · 17th March 2009, 01:35 PM

A two point template has to align at both points. This should only be possible if you have the overhang set correctly, or you're not being fussy enough. IMHO two point templates are way too difficult to use. I certainly don't have the patience. Go to my website and download my free *arc* template generator.

http://www.conradhoffman.com

ilewis33 · 17th March 2009, 01:55 PM

Thank you, that's quite helpful! I figured I was being too lenient or something else was going on. The README file was the explanation I had been looking for regarding setting the effective length and alignment in general.

17th March 2009, 12:48 PM	#1
ilewis33 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norcross, GA	overhang adjustment vs. twisting in slots Hello - I have an AT AT-PL120 turntable (Technics 1200 clone), and a Shure M97xe cartridge. I have been using various alignment methods and have a theory question. When using a 2 point protractor (I have been using Stevenson, but it doesn't matter), it seems that you can move the cartridge to almost any point in the slots and then rotate it in the slots to get an alignment. So what should the effective length be set to? For instance, I've used the Technics arc protractor and set the stylus to the overhang indicated (52 mm). To achieve alignment with the grids at the 2 Baerwald points, I must twist the cartridge within the slots. Sounds fine. But, I can also move the cartridge WAY back in the slots (almost all the way), and then the cartridge aligns with the simple 2 point protractors, with no twist added. This is an S-arm, by the way. So which is better? I would think that keeping the effective length as long as possible would be better, but I find it interesting that you can achieve a perfect 2 point alignment with a much shorter effective length. In fact, it seems you can align the cartridge at any length by merely twisting it in the headshell. Thanks!

17th March 2009, 01:35 PM	#2
Conrad Hoffman diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canandaigua, NY USA	A two point template has to align at both points. This should only be possible if you have the overhang set correctly, or you're not being fussy enough. IMHO two point templates are way too difficult to use. I certainly don't have the patience. Go to my website and download my free arc template generator. http://www.conradhoffman.com __________________ I used to be an audiophool like you but then I took an arrow to the knee.

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17th March 2009, 01:55 PM	#3
ilewis33 diyAudio Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norcross, GA	Thank you, that's quite helpful! I figured I was being too lenient or something else was going on. The README file was the explanation I had been looking for regarding setting the effective length and alignment in general.

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