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Tonearm setup/cartridge allignment....Please HELP! Confused! Grace 707 arm...

Hello,

I'm really hoping someone can help me sort out this nightmare. Here is the story. I have a Grace 707 tonearm on a JA Michell Focus One turntable. My cartridge is a Grado Prestige Silver.

Basically, I'm trying to allign the cartridge. I'm using the mirrored protractor from turntablebasics.com. I have a laser pointer that allows me to point the sight line on the protractor precisely at the pivot point of the tonearm. First, I start with positioning the tonearm. Using an accurate translucent metric ruler...I am easily able to line up the pivot point of the tonearm as being 222mm from the center of the spindle. Then I tighten the tonearm in place. At this point, things start to fall apart. If I then line up the turntablebasics protractor with the pivot point of the arm and place the headshell over the grid, the headshell will not line up perpendicular with the grid on the protractor. If I want to set the cartridge up to match the grid on the portractor, I have to angle it slightly crooked toward the center of the spindle so that the cartridge is not parallel with the headshell if I want it to align with the protractor.

Further confusion:

1) As I am measuring 222mm from the spindle to pivot, there are of course several locations I can place the arm. For example, I could put it more toward the rear of the table and closer to the platter or I could put it more toward the front of the table and further from the platter. How do I know which 222mm position is the correct one?

2) I have very confusing data as to which measurement is correct spindle to pivot distance. The tonearm specs say 222mm. Wally (Wally Tractor) says it's 221.3mm. I found a post where someone says it's 219.5mm for this arm. I have no idea what to do.

3) Furthermore, Wally says that the only way to properly align my cartridge with this arm is to purchase his protractor and that the turntablebasics mirror is probably not accurate. He says there is no way to properly set overhang without his protractor. So okay, no problem....if $120 will end this nightmare, I'll purchase a Wally Tractor. However, why do so many people state that they are able to obtain favorable results with the turntablebasics tool?

4) Basically, I'm stuck here. I don't know how to proceed. I can't seem to get this table setup properly...unless the cartridge is crooked in the headshell, and this is assuming the turntablebasics unit is telling the truth.

And finally, if there is anyone on the asylum who would be willing to loan me a Wally Tractor for the Grace 707 arm....I will gladly pay $20 plus shipping and return the unit in 48 hours. I can also make a Paypal deposit to cover the cost of the unit in case of loss or damage.

Thanks in advance for any wisdom or advice here.


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Topic - Tonearm setup/cartridge allignment....Please HELP! Confused! Grace 707 arm... - Mr Blue Sky 15:01:39 03/27/07 (4)


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