Headshell/alignment advice

[MmBuddha]

Hello all,

I am coming back to my old Technics SL-1200 (MK2) deck after keeping it in a box under the bed for a few years. It’s still in great condition, and I’d like to bring out its potential a bit more, and listen to my records again.

This was all kicked off by me recently acquiring my first good-quality phono amp (a deal I couldn’t pass up), so I finally have a reasonable pretext for purchasing a better cartridge and learning to align it properly. I am used to the quick and dirty DJ-style setup process, but have never used an alignment record, or held a protractor anywhere near my deck etc, so I have a lot to learn.

For context, my phono amp is suitable only for MM carts, which I’m perfectly happy with. I’ve been looking at/listening to various Nagaoka cartridges online and like the sound of the range, and am currently leaning towards a cart from them, either the MP-200, 300 or 500 (despite the price, the 300 or 500 are currently the most appealing options to me). I wondered if I could seek some advice about this in general, but first to ask about my options for a new headshell.

From browsing online, I notice that along with the cart itself, the Nagaoka MP series are also offered in a package with their own headshell. Since I lost my Technics headshell in a move years ago, I need a new one, so this seems like an elegant solution. However, being a 1200 deck, while I have hight, weight and anti-skate adjustment options on the arm, I don’t have a good way to adjust the azimuth (to the best of my understanding). So I have wondered if there would be a distinct benefit to purchasing a different headshell with its own azimuth adjustment facility. Do you think this would be the way to go – could it conceivably make a big difference to sound balance/quality/tracking, if properly adjusted, vs the Nagaoka shell the carts come with in the package? If so, I’d be grateful for any recommendations for a good, azimuth-adjustable headshell for pairing with one of the better Nagaoka carts. And apologies if the above questions seem naive, I’m dusting off half-forgotten knowledge and realising how much I don’t know.

Lastly, I want to teach myself to perform a full alignment of the height, weight, anti-skate, and possibly azimuth (depending), using the best reasonably accessible methods for a home user. Do you have any advice about which tools are essential to this endeavour, and any especially good and detailed guides/videos I could reference and learn from?

Let me say in advance how grateful I am for any help or advice you can give me.

Best,

MmBuddha.

 

[salamander]

Hello ! Audio Technica produces very good headshells with azimuth adjustment . But we must remember that these headshells have a higher mass ( from 11 to 18 grams ) . Otherwise , these headshells are much better than headshell Technics .

 

[JoeESP9]

A stylus protractor and an electronic scale are IMO/E absolute must haves. If you want an ordinary balance type scale the Shure SFG-2 works very well. There are several manufacturers of both device types.

I use a DB Systems stylus protractor, a Shure SFG-2 and an inexpensive electronic scale. While I'm commenting on LP/TT setup accessories, I have a strobe light and disk. I also have the full Discwasher "Suite" and a Record Doctor vacuum RCM. If you become overly concerned about azimuth there are two ways to go. Buy headshells that don't allow azimuth adjustment or buy a Fozgometer.

As for anti-skating, I use the groove free side of an LP for setting it. Alabama Shakes dual LP, Sound and color has no groove on side two of the second LP.

 

[EWarrior]

You can print a protractor here: https://alignmentprotractor.com/arc...coa=22&printerx=100.00&printery=100.00#result

An electronic scale is very reassuring. I found I don't really need one, as I can balance the tonearm really well, but it's good to know. They are cheap, so I'd definitely get one.

 

[needforspeed]

Here is the cart alignment tool, Instructions included

As fas as tone arm azimuth or “Rake”, There is settings in the manual
Measure height of cart, Look at column for that number, My guess a 4, Unlock the arm ring and turn to that number
Relock ring

The Technics manual is very specific on set up, I’ve double checked with a weight scale and protractor and just needed very slight fine tuning
Good luck

 

[Hoytis]

I have that exact same TT. I was very close to biting on the MP-200/headshell combo as well. I went with a moving coil cartridge instead (and bought a separate headshell). That said, I think that Nag combo would be a wonderful choice. Read great comments about that cartridge and its boron cantilever. All you need is a protractor and electronic VTF scale, if you want to set up on your own. The above cart alignment tool is great too. Once overhang and alignment is in place, make sure the VTA is correct on the tonearm. I usually just fold graph paper in half and place behind to make sure the arm is dead horizontal. Then you can play with the adjustment to bring out the sound you want - either riding more on the front or back. Look at the Nag specs for recommended VTA.

 

[beej]

As has been alluded to on this thread and elsewhere, cart alignment, regardless of turntable, is a quite 'fiddly' business. I have two SL1200 MK2s, one stock, the other fully KABUSA modded and have both in my system. I totally agree with needforspeed - the place to begin is the SL1200 user manual. If you do not have a copy you can download one here Technics SL-1200 Direct-Drive Turntable Manual | Vinyl Engine You need to be a member to download manuals but membership in vinylengine.com is free and signing up is a quick and easy process. Follow the steps in the manual for cart set up and fine tune from there.