Headshell-Cartridge combo question

[brian222]

I put this in the TT forum but got no replies. Thinking about getting a pre-assembled headshell/ cartridge AT-vm95e/h for my Technics sl-23. My fingers and eyesight make a proper setup difficult. Would the combo work for me?

 

[swechsler]

As long as the headshell has a bayonet-style 4 pin connector, you should be fine. However, you will still need to balance it, and there's no guarantee that stylus alignment will be 100% correct (Technics used to ship a stylus alignment gauge with some of their turntables, but I don't know if they were doing that back when the SL-23 was current). However, the latter is not critical, especially since with most turntables this was done by eye, or not at all.

 

[Lavane]

You can buy a Technics overhang gauge. The manual states 14mm, thats 14mm past the center of the spindle. The standard Technics overhang gauge will get you darn close. Its 15mm.

 

[spark1]

The Technics overhang gauge is correct for the SL-23. The variance in stated overhang does not matter. The gauge does not measure or set overhang; overhang is not a setting, it is an outcome of proper alignment.

And no reason to buy the gauge. Simply loosen the mounting screws a bit and slide the cartridge forward or backward until the distance from the tip of stylus is 52mm from the back edge of the washer/gasket on the headshell bayonet. Make sure the cartridge is square to the headshell when re-tightening the mounting screws. This will get you very close to a "perfect" Stevenson alignment, which is the Technics-recommended alignment.

It is unlikely that the headshell/cart will come set at the proper position.

If you are buying from Turntableneedles.com, give them a call. I think they will set it at 52mm for you before shipping. Then all you have to do is attach it to the tonearm, re-calibrate the tracking force gauge (aka "balancing the tonearm to zero), set the tracking force and set the anti-skate.