Concept 2QD cart recommendations/alignment questions.

[Phydeaux]

Hello all, first post here.
I just acquired a concept 2qd along with a pioneer pl-518, which I bought under the assumption that neither were working...
(Just wanted something to work on and have been stuck with a crosley nomad for far too long).

The seller said there was no sound coming
out of the concept so I thought if I was lucky I’d just be replacing some old cables..
turns out I was even luckier and noticed while cleaning it off that the screw holding the tonearm on was loose and the arm wasn’t fastened in all the way...
......hooked it up to test and it works just fine!
Even through my low end gear it sounds pretty damn good to my ears.

I loosened the cart from the head shell to peek at what model Audio-Technica it was after difficulty identifying online. Turns out it’s a Precept PC-440 and seems like a fairly rare cart. Is this a good match for my table though? Not sure if it is high compliance or if I should track down something else that would be a better fit....saw another table I want that has a Pickering XV-1200e and I’ve heard it’s a pretty good one.

and lastly, I’m looking to learn to align my cart/stylus properly but don’t know how much distance the cart should be coming off the front of the head shell and as far as the stylus goes...if any protractor I buy will work or do I need the one from the manual printed to the right scale?
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

sean

 

[Phydeaux]

It’s in pretty good shape overall.
Only missing the silver cover to one foot,
The plug that goes over the cueing adjustment hole, and a crack going through the entire top of the dust cover.

 

[emedeles]

It’s in pretty good shape overall.
Only missing the silver cover to one foot,
The plug that goes over the cueing adjustment hole, and a crack going through the entire top of the dust cover.

I have one too,but sadly it's missing the dustcover. Looks very nice!
.

 

[Phydeaux]

I have one too,but sadly it's missing the dustcover. Looks very nice!
.

I’m actually looking for one too cause this crack going through it is making me ocd haha.
If I can find someone that will make a custom
One for me I’ll give you the dimensions if that helps.... since somethings tells me the odds
Of us finding any parts is lower than finding a whole new one.

That and it’s missing the silver cover for one of the feet .
I’m very happy with it though, great first table for me having nothing to compare it to.
Glad to join the club

 

[emedeles]

I’m actually looking for one too cause this crack going through it is making me ocd haha.
If I can find someone that will make a custom
One for me I’ll give you the dimensions if that helps.... since somethings tells me the odds
Of us finding any parts is lower than finding a whole new one.

That and it’s missing the silver cover for one of the feet .
I’m very happy with it though, great first table for me having nothing to compare it to.
Glad to join the club

Great! Hey if you can find a guy that can make one, maybe he can make 2 instead???

 

[Phydeaux]

Il

Great! Hey if you can find a guy that can make one, maybe he can make 2 instead???

I’ll definitely ask, I’m gonna try some sellers on the bay that have a bunch posted for pioneer and marantz tables since I think that would be the closest size. I wish they didn’t charge so much for those but I’m pretty sure they’re much thicker and better quality acrylic overall.

 

[Music2Myear]

This is a dust cover that came up and I have forwarded to others in need look it over maybe a solution to fix a not so nice one. cheers
Reloop COVER-RP1000-2000-4000 Optional Dust Cover, For and Turntable Models, Plastic, Clear

by Reloop at Amazon.

 

[Phydeaux]

This is a dust cover that came up and I have forwarded to others in need look it over maybe a solution to fix a not so nice one. cheers
Reloop COVER-RP1000-2000-4000 Optional Dust Cover, For and Turntable Models, Plastic, Clear

by Reloop at Amazon.

Do you know if it worked out for anyone youve recommended it to? I didn’t see anyone comment on there that it worked for a 2QD.

 

[Music2Myear]

There is some testimony at bottom on the Amazon site ,there is one that fits the popular Technics sl-1200 mk2 also . I think if the size is ok then look at how it works with the hinge part . I think it comes with hinges also plus its Amazon so check if its returnable before ordering. Probable people out there with some first hand experience Ill keep eye out and forward any info I come across.

 

[Phydeaux]

There is some testimony at bottom on the Amazon site ,there is one that fits the popular Technics sl-1200 mk2 also . I think if the size is ok then look at how it works with the hinge part . I think it comes with hinges also plus its Amazon so check if its returnable before ordering. Probable people out there with some first hand experience Ill keep eye out and forward any info I come across.

Thanks I appreciate that,
I’m trying to get this table set up properly but the manual is very thin and doesn’t list anything about leveling the whole tonearm since the head shell is not removable. Found this little screw on the arm base that looks like it loosens the tone arm but I’m a little worried about tinkering with it.

 

[Isaac C.]

That screw should, not 100% certain, but should let you move the tonearm up and down to adjust the vertical tracking angle. If it does, you want the arm tube to be close to parallel to the record. I've just recently become aware of this model after seeing one locally for sale, so I don't know all the ins and outs of it, I'm just going on the fact that most tonearms with a screw at the base are adjustable.

 

[Music2Myear]

Ya wouldn't touch anything till you know whats what ,don't want to brake a wire in the arm. Post some pictures from all angles. Not sure I understand the leveling the tone arm. Unless the tone are has a mechanism to raise and lower it won't be possible unless you change height of the platter with thicker mat or some wedge in head shell if it permits.I know there can be differences in cartridge height too something to consider if your going to change that.

Ok forgot you did have pics.

 

[Music2Myear]

Have you got the manual from vineylengine? The one screw secures the tone arm in place . There is another screw for cueing height adjustment mentioned in manual to adjust for proper height to 1/4 in above platter. So unless I am missing it doesn't appear you can adjust the arms tracking angle.

 

[Phydeaux]

I may have worded it in a way that made it more complicated. The tonearm itself is level, only because the cueing mechanism is set too high currently and my tracking weight needs to be adjusted. I think have that figured out, but feel like this needs to be fixed first.

the head shell itself is what’s not level,
Most headshells have that pin that keeps it from moving out of place once it’s tightened on..but because this one is attached to the tonearm itself the only way to level the shell is to turn the whole arm about 1/10’s of a whole turn if that makes sense.

Not the best angle but the shell is off kilter a slight amount.

the screw to the right is the tonearm set screw,
This is what you tighten once to tonearm is connected to keep it from coming loose and falling off. The one to the left however isn’t mentioned in the manual at all, I believe it is the screw holding the tonearm to the housing with the connector pins inside. I’m thinking if I loosen this I can spin the arm itself, and if it’s only a small adjustment I would hope it wouldn’t damage the wires where they meet the pins. Hopefully that sort of makes sense.

Edit: this shows it separated because I’d rather not do that just yet. Silver cover between the tonearm and the pins is where the screw is located but the manual only mentions to set screw.

 

[Music2Myear]

Ya i see now ,your probably right about the screw on left. I would loosen the one on right and see if it will allow that movement and stay level when its tightened back up. It may just go back to unlevel again. Then try what you think may do it. carefull!

Do you have a small level to sit on the head to tell if its right.

 

[Phydeaux]

T

Ya i see now ,your probably right about the screw on left. I would loosen the one on right and see if it will allow that movement and stay level when its tightened back up. It may just go back to unlevel again. Then try what you think may do it. carefull!

Do you have a small level to sit on the head to tell if its right.

The problem is that if I try to spin the arm while the set screw is loosened it will break the delicate pins off inside of the female end. It warns about that in the manual, something along the lines of “do not try to force tonearm pins in incorrectly they are very fragile”.
Considering I’d have a hell of a time trying to find a new arm I’d rather take them for their word on that one haha

and no level yet, I just saw that they make a tiny one for that. I’m thinking that if I noticed it enough to see that it was out of place that I could at least alleviate it a little until then.
Just worried about damaging it

 

[Music2Myear]

Ya don't blame you .Do some googling maybe someone else has done this and can shed some light on it.

 

[Music2Myear]

Is there a screw at the head end also? Be nice if it moved there .

 

[Phydeaux]

I’m hoping so,
Glad this is starting to gain a little traction,
Thought this thread was headed straight to the dust bin haha. Hopefully some fellow concept enthusiasts can chime in....i know quite a few people from pacific stereo including the owner are AK members. Just hasn’t been a hot topic since 06’ or so

 

[Phydeaux]

Is there a screw at the head end also? Be nice if it moved there .

I don’t believe so, from what I’ve read on other threads it’s not removable at all. It sort of looks like it is by the way the arm meets the head shell but I see no screws there.