AT440MLB Set Up

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chickenwings

New Member
I've installed a new AT440MLB on my AT-LP120. It's aligned to the best of my ability (looked in line to me using the recommended protractor, but getting a good look is challenging with this cantilever) The instructions said the headshell should be parallel to the record. To acheive this, I had to put the VTA as low as it can go and add the stock mat underneath the suede mat I have. Is this similar to anyone else's experience? It's sounding pretty good to my ears. But, there's a nagging sense that it's just a bit off somehow. I currently have the vtf around 1.6. Any general recommendations for this cart and table combo?

Here are some pics:
https://imgur.com/a/DhYiA
 
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How did you go about setting up the position of the cartridge in the headshell? If the tonearm and the top of the headshell is parallel with the record surface then that part is good for now but I can see in your photo that the azimuth is off, meaning that the top of the cartridge, and therefore the needle, is rolled towards the inside. Loosen the bayonet collet and align so that the cartridge doesn't lean to the left or the right. I'd shine a bright flashlight on the front of the cartridge while the needle is resting on the record. You should see in the reflection on the record whether there is any tilt at all. If there is then try it again.
 
tubewade said:
How did you go about setting up the position of the cartridge in the headshell? If the tonearm and the top of the headshell is parallel with the record surface then that part is good for now but I can see in your photo that the azimuth is off, meaning that the top of the cartridge, and therefore the needle, is rolled towards the inside. Loosen the bayonet collet and align so that the cartridge doesn't lean to the left or the right. I'd shine a bright flashlight on the front of the cartridge while the needle is resting on the record. You should see in the reflection on the record whether there is any tilt at all. If there is then try it again.
Click to expand...

Using this protractor: http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/r...04_00_cartridge_headshell_alignment_sheet.pdf
The cartridge needed to be tilted just a little inward to align right. From what I gathered, that seemed to be what most people recommended. Is this something that's often disputed?
 
If the stylus is aligned straight with the grid lines on both the inner and outer grids then that part of setup should be correct. My point about azimuth is that the cartridge does not appear to be straight up, it is leaning towards the inside, like the Tower of Pisa. It needs to be straight up and down with respect to the record surface.
 
tubewade said:
If the stylus is aligned straight with the grid lines on both the inner and outer grids then that part of setup should be correct. My point about azimuth is that the cartridge does not appear to be straight up, it is leaning towards the inside, like the Tower of Pisa. It needs to be straight up and down with respect to the record surface.
Click to expand...
Ahhh, I think I see now. Bear with me here, but what exactly is the bayonet collet? To adjust this do I loosen the screws attaching the cartridge? How do I go about adjusting this without screwing up the alignment?
 
chickenwings said:
Ahhh, I think I see now. Bear with me here, but what exactly is the bayonet collet? To adjust this do I loosen the screws attaching the cartridge? How do I go about adjusting this without screwing up the alignment?
Click to expand...

No, don't loosen the screws. The cartridge is probably OK in the headshell, but the headshell is crooked with respect to the tonearm. The little collar behind the headshell that you loosen to take the headshell off, loosen that and rotate the headshell to the right for better alignment, then tighten it again whilst holding the headshell where you want it. Then look at it from the from the front to see if it is straight up and down. Shining a bright light on it will give a reflection off of the record which will help with accurate adjustment.
 
tubewade said:
No, don't loosen the screws. The cartridge is probably OK in the headshell, but the headshell is crooked with respect to the tonearm. The little collar behind the headshell that you loosen to take the headshell off, loosen that and rotate the headshell to the right for better alignment, then tighten it again whilst holding the headshell where you want it. Then look at it from the from the front to see if it is straight up and down. Shining a bright light on it will give a reflection off of the record which will help with accurate adjustment.
Click to expand...
https://imgur.com/gallery/Zlqtc
https://imgur.com/gallery/LxOXl

Ok. I always assumed the headshell-tonearm connection was fairly fixed a certain way since It has the one slot to insert it. But I held it to the right and tightened it. Seems to be straight from the reflection.
 
It might be helpful to google images of sra vta. With the platter stationary, set the stylus on the lp and look ( use a maginifer ) to see if it looks like 92 degrees. Also, looking at your headshell, see where the mounting surface for the cartridge is about to the top of the bayonet. Now look at my headshell, that same surface is lower as compaerd to the bayonet. You could use a different headshell and/or shim the cart as I did.

screw.jpg
 
@chickenwings speaking from experience as the owner of an lp120 (in addition to others) when it comes to VTA- you're on the right track. The VTA on the lp120 doesn't get low enough for most cart/headshell combos. This is a known issue with this model.
 
tcss said:
It might be helpful to google images of sra vta. With the platter stationary, set the stylus on the lp and look ( use a maginifer ) to see if it looks like 92 degrees. Also, looking at your headshell, see where the mounting surface for the cartridge is about to the top of the bayonet. Now look at my headshell, that same surface is lower as compaerd to the bayonet. You could use a different headshell and/or shim the cart as I did.

View attachment 871095
Click to expand...
I'll check this out. Thanks
 
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