I have a Fisher MT-6224 turntable that I love--except for one thing. I wanted to mount an Empire 2000E cartridge, with a brand new expensive LC stylus on it, and the 'cue' lever does not lift the tone arm high enough to clear the 'edge' of the LP, to start playing the album. The AT cartridge in my other head shell doesn't hang down as low--so it works fine--but I'd really like to use the Empire, just to see what it sounds like. Is there any way that mechanism can be adjusted to raise that 'lifter-arm' a little more, so I can go back to using the que-lever, instead of just fumbling around trying to get the TA in position manually?
Can it be adjusted?
- Thread starter tommieboy
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Looking down at the cue platform, is there a small screw visible? If so, hold the platform down and unscrew that guy a little. That screw usually holds the platform down against spring pressure and the hex head screw fits into a hex shaped recess.
At least that's how many of them work.
At least that's how many of them work.
Look again. The Service Manual does mention it on page 9 and also talks about the arm return adjustment. However both are internal adjustments, screw 60 for arm height and A for arm return. Not the greatest pictures and not as easy to access as one could hope for but there at least.
I'll admit to only grazing thru the instructions and pics.Thanks for the input guys....I checked those service pages for the MT-6225 on VE....I'm pretty sure that the 6224/6225 were practically the 'same table' so I expect what works for one, should work for the other.....but like Montycat said; the pictures are not very 'definitive' ; and I'm a little leery of tearing apart a good table, to gain the necessary access to attempt this adjustment. Instead of making things better, I'd risk screwing something else up, and then having it not work AT ALL! Getting a headshell with more 'height' to it might be my best course of action....but my attempts to 'modify' that brass clip-on mounting bracket that Empire used on these carts, resulted in me breaking it, (C'mon man, I heated it up & everything--no way it shouldda broke!) and the only ones I've found on Ebay are around $30 (with shipping!), so I'm dead in the water, until I get a new bracket + a new HS.....How about this? GLUE the top of the cart to one of those plastic T4P 'adaptor' rigs, (that allow you to use a T4P cart. on a 1/2"-mount HS) then mount the rig to the HS, and run the wires directly to the cart. pins....(?)
bobins08
Celebrating Life
Assuming you manually play the record without the cueing, because of the problem the OP described will there be an issue with VTA as well? Seems like some kind of arm height adjustment is needed.
The Empire 2000e that I remember has that metal bracket for mounting to the headshell.
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That doesn't appear to be the case. The screw I mentioned above is side mounted on the underside of the lift mechanism. Same with the auto-return.
This is not that uncommon, but also the manual for the 6224 is not available on VE. I was referencing the 6225 which looks quite similar.
Is there a point to that?
There might be, but I can't see any way that the arm on this table has VTA adjustment. Again nothing is mentioned in the manual and it would be very rare in an automatic or semi automatic table.
I would have a look at the clearance under the tonearm. If it is more than a few mm then the solution is going to be raising the lift platform. It only needs the thickness of a business card or 2 as clearance. I also found a picture (not a very good one) of the arm. I've highlighted where the side mounted screw might be, if it is not in fact underneath or inside the plinth. For the OP, look in this area and it could be a small flat screwdriver but could also be a mini Allen head like 1.5 or 2 mm.
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I'm starting to lean in that direction myself....God knows I've fabricated all sorts of chewing gum & baling wire "FIXES"; to get something to work. Those shots of the Fisher TA--with the red dots--you would think that adjustment screws COULD be there; but NONE ARE....nothing but 'smooth plastic'....no moveable trap doors or caps 'hiding' them either. The entire tone arm assembly is mounted on a plate held down by 4 allen-head bolts--one in each corner--but just thinking about 'pulling that up' has me envisioning those hair-thin TA wires 'snapping', and it never producing another note--from ANY cartridge! I'll fool with simple stuff first & see where it takes me. I really do appreciate the advice--and I'll take all the help I can get! Anybody have an Empire bracket that they don't need? LOL!
bobins08
Celebrating Life
I would try to layer blue painters masking tape neatly on the black cue lifter. Monty was thinking you need only the width of few business cards. Maybe you cuts some cards to the proper shape, set them on on the lifter and tape them? Or just use tape layers.
Test it to make sure when you lower the cueing it does not obstruct tonearm travel. Make it high enough to clear a record and cue, low enough not to obstruct.
The other thought I had is maybe the cartridge bracket is the wrong size or installed incorrectly?