Vinyl records are making a comeback, and for good reason. The warm, rich sound of vinyl is hard to beat.
But to truly enjoy your vinyl collection, you need a properly balanced tonearm. If you own an older turntable without a counterweight, don’t worry – it’s still possible to achieve perfect balance.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of balancing your tonearm without a counterweight, so you can enjoy your vinyl collection to the fullest.
Let’s get started!
How To Balance Tonearm Without Counterweight
The first step in balancing your tonearm without a counterweight is to power off your turntable. Next, make sure the anti-skate is set to 0 and the cueing lever is used to lock the tonearm in the rest position.
Gently remove the protective cover from the stylus while holding the headshell to keep the tonearm stable. Release the tonearm locking clamp, and the tonearm will swing freely since it’s unbalanced. Be sure to hold the headshell so it doesn’t crash into the turntable platter.
Keep the cueing lever in the down position while holding the headshell above the rest position. Carefully adjust the tonearm until it is horizontally balanced. This means that the headshell won’t be moving up or down but will naturally float above the rest position.
Once you’ve found the perfect balance spot, set the counterweight to zero. Now, you’ll want to set the proper tracking force for your phono cartridge. Turn your entire counterweight counterclockwise to adjust the weight in grams, and gently place the stylus and entire cartridge onto a stylus force gauge to measure.
Once you’ve set your tracking force, you can now turn on the anti-skate setting. Match it in grams to your tracking weight, so if your tracking weight is 1.5 grams, you’ll want anti-skate on 1.5 grams.
Understanding Tonearm Balance
Tonearm balance is an essential part of setting up your turntable for optimal sound quality. The tonearm is the component that holds the cartridge and stylus, which reads the grooves of your vinyl record. The weight of the tonearm and the tracking force applied to the stylus affect the accuracy of the sound reproduction.
To balance your tonearm without a counterweight, you first need to understand what it means to have a balanced tonearm. A balanced tonearm means that it is horizontally level and does not float up or down. When the tonearm is balanced, the stylus will track evenly across the grooves of your vinyl record, producing accurate and clear sound.
To achieve a balanced tonearm without a counterweight, you need to adjust the tracking force of the stylus. This can be done by adjusting the spring system under the housing by the bearing. You may not have a scale to determine this tracking force, so you’ll need to use a stylus balance instead.
Once you have adjusted the tracking force, you can then adjust the tonearm until it is horizontally balanced. This can be done by using the cueing lever to lock the tonearm in the rest position while gently holding the headshell above it. Carefully adjust the tonearm until it is level and naturally floats above the rest position.
Finally, set the counterweight to zero and turn on the anti-skate setting. Match it in grams to your tracking weight for optimal sound quality.
Tools You’ll Need
To balance your tonearm without a counterweight, you’ll need a few tools:
1. A stylus force gauge – this is used to measure the tracking force of your phono cartridge.
2. A level meter – this is used to ensure that your turntable is perfectly leveled horizontally.
3. Protective gloves – to avoid getting fingerprints on the cartridge or stylus.
4. A cueing lever – this is used to lock the tonearm in the rest position.
5. An anti-skate dial – this is used to apply a slight frictional force to the tonearm and keep the stylus aligned to the groove.
These tools will help you properly balance your tonearm and achieve optimal vinyl playback without a counterweight.
Finding The Zero Point
If you don’t have a counterweight, finding the zero point can be a bit tricky. However, it’s still possible to balance your tonearm without it.
To find the zero point, you’ll need to follow a few steps. First, make sure the anti-skate is set to 0 and the cueing lever is used to lock the tonearm in the rest position. Gently remove the protective cover from the stylus while holding the headshell to keep the tonearm stable.
Next, release the tonearm locking clamp and hold the headshell so that it doesn’t crash into the turntable platter. Keep the cueing lever in the down position while holding the headshell above the rest position. Now, adjust the tonearm until it is horizontally balanced, meaning that the headshell won’t be moving up or down but will naturally float above the rest position.
Once you’ve found this balance spot, set the counterweight to zero. This means that you won’t be adding any weight to the tonearm, but it will still be balanced. Now, you’ll need to find the proper tracking force for your phono cartridge.
To do this, gently place the stylus and entire cartridge onto a stylus force gauge to measure. Turn your entire counterweight counterclockwise to adjust the weight in grams until you reach the recommended tracking force for your cartridge. This information can usually be found in your cartridge’s specifications or manual.
Finally, turn on the anti-skate setting and match it in grams to your tracking weight. This will help counteract any tendency of the tonearm to move inwards as the stylus gets closer to the center of the record, ensuring that your music sounds its best. With these steps, you can balance your tonearm without a counterweight and enjoy high-quality sound from your turntable.
Adjusting The Tracking Force
Adjusting the tracking force is an important step in balancing your tonearm without a counterweight. The tracking force is the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record’s grooves, and it’s essential to get it right to ensure optimal sound quality and prevent damage to your records.
To adjust the tracking force, turn your entire counterweight counterclockwise to adjust the weight in grams. Gently place the stylus and entire cartridge onto a stylus force gauge (which will clamp to your turntable platter) to measure the tracking force.
Once you’ve set your tracking force, you can now turn on the anti-skate setting. Match it in grams to your tracking weight, so if your tracking weight is 1.5 grams, you’ll want anti-skate on 1.5 grams. This will ensure that the stylus stays in the groove and doesn’t skip or jump.
It’s important to note that different phono cartridges require different tracking forces, so be sure to consult your cartridge’s manual for the recommended weight. Also, remember to check and adjust your tracking force periodically, as it can change over time due to factors such as wear and tear on your stylus or changes in temperature and humidity.
Testing And Fine-Tuning The Balance
After you have balanced your tonearm, it’s important to test and fine-tune the balance to ensure optimal performance. To do this, you can perform a few simple tests.
First, you can test the balance by gently tapping the tonearm. If the tonearm moves up and down, it means that it’s not perfectly balanced. You can adjust the counterweight until the tonearm remains stationary when tapped.
Next, you can check the tracking force by playing a record and listening for any distortion or skipping. If you notice any issues, adjust the tracking force accordingly. It’s important to note that too much tracking force can cause excessive wear on your records and damage your stylus, so make sure to find the proper balance.
Finally, you can fine-tune the balance by adjusting the anti-skate setting. If you notice any distortion or skipping on one side of the record, it may be due to uneven tracking force. Adjust the anti-skate setting until the sound is balanced and clear on both sides of the record.
By testing and fine-tuning the balance of your tonearm, you can ensure that your turntable is performing at its best and producing high-quality sound.
Tips For Maintaining Tonearm Balance.
Maintaining proper tonearm balance is crucial for optimal sound quality and to prevent damage to your records. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Always power off your turntable before adjusting the tonearm. This will prevent any accidental damage to your stylus or records.
2. Use a stylus force gauge to measure your tracking force accurately. This will ensure that you’re not putting too much or too little pressure on your records, which can cause damage or affect sound quality.
3. Check your tonearm balance periodically, especially if you’re noticing any skipping or distortion in your playback. A misbalanced tonearm can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your records and stylus.
4. Be gentle when handling the tonearm and headshell. Avoid dropping or slamming them onto the turntable, as this can throw off the balance and cause damage.
5. If you’re unsure about how to properly balance your tonearm, consult your turntable’s user manual or seek advice from a professional audio technician. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to maintaining your equipment.
