How To Properly Align A Phono Cartridge

If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you know that the quality of your turntable setup can make or break your listening experience.

One crucial aspect of turntable setup is properly aligning your phono cartridge. This ensures that your stylus tracks the grooves of your records accurately, resulting in optimal sound quality and longevity of your records.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of aligning your phono cartridge step-by-step, so you can get the most out of your vinyl collection.

So grab your tools and let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Before you begin, make sure you have the necessary tools. You’ll need an alignment gauge, a digital scale, and an overhang gauge. These tools can be purchased from your local turntable dealer or online.

The cost of your turntable and how often you plan on setting up your cartridge will determine how much you invest in alignment tools. However, starting with basic tools like the Align It DS2 alignment gauge and a Measure It E digital scale will get the job done.

Step 2: Set The Tracking Force

The first step in aligning your phono cartridge is to set the tracking force. This is the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record as it tracks the grooves.

To set the tracking force, leave the stylus guard on your cartridge and ease the tonearm from its rest. Let it lower freely by moving the cueing lever down. Hold the sides of the cartridge and rotate the counterweight at the rear of the tonearm until the entire tonearm/cartridge assembly appears to float in midair.

Turn the counterweight very slightly so that the tonearm now goes down when you lower the cueing lever. Gently lower the tonearm onto the scale and observe the reading. Your cartridge will have a tracking force value, in grams, that is usually somewhere between about 1.4 and 2.2 grams.

Step 3: Set The Stylus Overhang

The next step is to set the stylus overhang distance. This is the distance that the stylus tip extends beyond the center spindle when the tonearm is positioned directly over it.

To set the stylus overhang, use an overhang gauge with markings in millimeters (mm). Some gauges are designed to be placed against the spindle, while others are designed to be placed on it like a record disc.

If your particular tonearm does not swing far enough inward to reach the spindle, a headshell-type gauge is a good alternative. This gauge holds a removable type headshell/cartidge assembly, and the measurement used is taken from the headshell post shoulder (aka flange) to the stylus tip.

Step 4: Align The Cartridge

Now that you’ve set both tracking force and stylus overhang, it’s time to align your cartridge.

Use an alignment gauge to align your cartridge properly. Place it on top of your turntable platter and position your tonearm so that it rests on top of it.

The alignment gauge will have two lines on it – one for aligning with a straight tonearm and one for aligning with an S-shaped tonearm. Make sure you use the correct line for your tonearm type.

Once you’ve positioned your tonearm correctly, adjust your cartridge so that it lines up with both lines on the alignment gauge.

Step 5: Fine-Tune The Alignment

After aligning your cartridge, listen to a few tracks to ensure that everything sounds right. If necessary, fine-tune your alignment by making small adjustments until you’re satisfied with the sound quality.

Understanding Phono Cartridge Alignment

Phono cartridge alignment is a crucial step in setting up your turntable for optimal sound quality. It involves aligning the cartridge stylus tip with the grooves on your vinyl records to ensure accurate tracking and minimal distortion.

There are two main types of alignment gauges – the two-point protractor and the three-point protractor. The two-point protractor has a dot for the stylus tip to rest on and a grid with lines running parallel to the sides and front of the cartridge to which it should be aligned. The three-point protractor has three dots for the stylus tip to rest on and is used for more advanced alignment.

To align your cartridge using an alignment gauge, first, loosen the screws holding the cartridge in place with a flat head screwdriver. Then, rotate the cartridge until the lines on the gauge are parallel. Once it’s parallel, move the stylus tip to point B. If the cartridge is properly aligned at point B, tighten the screws, re-check to make sure it’s aligned, and you’re done.

It’s important to note that other variables such as record thickness, stylus shape, and variations in cartridge construction can affect alignment. Therefore, fine-tuning your alignment by making small adjustments until you’re satisfied with the sound quality is recommended.

Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA) and Stylus Rake Angle (SRA) are also important factors in phono cartridge alignment. VTA refers to the angle of the stylus relative to the vinyl surface, while SRA refers to the angle of the stylus relative to the record cutter head used to make the original master lacquer.

Correct SRA is achieved when the angle of the playback stylus matches that of the record cutter head used to make the original master lacquer; typically 92 degrees. This sets the VTA to approximately twenty degrees, plus or minus five degrees, varying between cartridge manufacturers.

To set your VTA/SRA, you can use a digital USB microscope and measurement software for accurate adjustment or use a test record with 4KHz and 60Hz tones and a spectrum or distortion analyzer. Alternatively, some listeners prefer to adjust by ear by starting with the arm parallel to the record surface and raising and lowering it in small increments until they achieve their desired sound quality.

Tools Needed For Proper Alignment

To properly align your phono cartridge, you will need a few specific tools. These tools include an alignment gauge, a digital scale, and an overhang gauge.

The alignment gauge is used to ensure that the cartridge is aligned correctly with the tonearm. It has two lines on it – one for aligning with a straight tonearm and one for aligning with an S-shaped tonearm. Make sure you use the correct line for your tonearm type.

The digital scale is used to set the tracking force of your cartridge. This is the amount of pressure that the stylus exerts on the record as it tracks the grooves. The scale will give you a reading in grams, which should be within the range specified by your cartridge manufacturer.

The overhang gauge is used to set the stylus overhang distance. This is the distance that the stylus tip extends beyond the center spindle when the tonearm is positioned directly over it. The gauge will have markings in millimeters (mm), and you should use the correct gauge for your particular tonearm type.

Preparing Your Turntable For Alignment

Before you begin the process of aligning your phono cartridge, it’s important to prepare your turntable. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Clean Your Turntable

Make sure your turntable is clean before you start. Use a record cleaning brush or a microfiber cloth to remove any dust or debris from the platter and tonearm.

Step 2: Check Your Turntable’s Level

Ensure that your turntable is level. Use a spirit level to check that the platter is flat and parallel to the ground. If it’s not, adjust the feet until it is level.

Step 3: Check Your Tonearm’s Height

Check the height of your tonearm. Some turntables have adjustable tonearms, while others do not. If your tonearm is adjustable, make sure it’s set to the correct height for your cartridge.

Step 4: Loosen Your Cartridge

Loosen the screws at the top of your headshell where the cartridge mounts to the tonearm. This will allow you to adjust the position of your cartridge.

Step 5: Set The Stylus Overhang

Using an overhang gauge, set the stylus overhang distance. This will ensure that the distance from the center of the tonearm pivot to the tip of the stylus is at the manufacturer’s specified length.

Step 6: Align The Cartridge

Using an alignment gauge, align your cartridge properly. Make sure you use the correct line on the gauge for your tonearm type.

Step 7: Fine-Tune The Alignment

By following these steps, you’ll be able to properly align your phono cartridge and enjoy high-quality sound from your turntable.

Fine-Tuning Your Alignment

Once you have aligned your cartridge, it’s time to fine-tune the alignment to get the best possible sound quality. Fine-tuning is a critical step that should not be overlooked.

The first thing to do is to check the tracking force again. It may have changed slightly during the alignment process. Use your digital scale to make any necessary adjustments, aiming for the mid-point of the recommended range.

Next, you need to adjust the stylus overhang so that it is aligned with the manufacturer’s specifications. Loosen your cartridge enough to allow it to slide back and forth with gentle resistance. Then, move the cartridge forward so that the tip of the stylus will lower into the corresponding dot in the alignment tool. Using the grid lines on the Align It, square up the cartridge body so it is parallel to the lines.

Some tonearms with removable headshells allow you to move the cartridge on the tonearm’s axis to be sure that the cartridge is at a perfect 90-degree angle to the groove. Once you have set the overhang properly, recheck the tracking force, as it may have gone up or down by a tenth of a gram or two. Just twist the counterweight very slightly to bring this back to where you were.

The next adjustment is VTA/SRA. If you do not have access to a stylus microscope or some very sophisticated cartridge alignment tools, “eyeball” this by trying to visually align the bottom of the cartridge body so that it is parallel to the surface of the record. Your instruction manual will tell you how to set this for your turntable, but again, think small increments.

Once you have set VTA/SRA to the best of your ability, check tracking force one last time and move on to the final step – anti-skate. As your cartridge tracks across your record groove, centrifugal force wants to pull your stylus towards the inside of the groove. This can cause premature wear of your records, stylus and cause a channel imbalance from left to right.

Setting anti-skating force properly will keep your stylus where it belongs. If you go too far in either direction, you will encounter issues like skipping or distortion. The goal is to find a sweet spot where your stylus stays in place without any skipping or distortion.

Testing Your Alignment With A Test Record

Once you’ve aligned your phono cartridge, it’s important to test the alignment using a test record. A test record is a specially designed vinyl record that includes various test signals and tracks to help you evaluate the performance of your turntable and cartridge.

To test your alignment, play the test record and listen carefully for any distortion or tracking errors. If you hear any issues, it may indicate that your cartridge is not properly aligned.

One common test signal on a test record is the “azimuth” signal, which helps you determine if the left and right channels of your stereo system are in phase. If the azimuth signal is not aligned properly, you may notice a “hole in the middle” of the stereo image or a lack of clarity in the sound.

Another useful track on a test record is the “wow and flutter” track, which helps you determine if your turntable is spinning at a consistent speed. If there are fluctuations in speed, you may notice pitch variations or other distortions in the sound.

Overall, testing your alignment with a test record is an important step in ensuring optimal performance from your turntable and phono cartridge. By carefully listening for any issues and making adjustments as needed, you can enjoy high-quality sound from your vinyl records.