• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Measuring for tonearm fit. Will this arm work?

analog addict

analog addict

Glory or Death!
Subscriber
I'm looking to buy a tonearm for my new RCA BQ-51D table. Measuring from the spindle, I get exactly 8 inches. Will a tone arm with effective length of 222mm and a pivot to spindle distance of 207 mm (8.14") work? That 8" distance translates into 203.2mm...

TIA...:thmbsp:
 
Register to hide this ad
I'm not really sure what I'm doing....

I've had zero experience messing with tone arms and have been doing my best to find a tone arm for this table. An Audio Technica ATP-12T was recommended to me, so I bought one. Here is what it looks like on the table...

Oh yeah, as suggested, beneath the big washer was another mounting hole, also 8 inches from pivot to spindle.

CIMG9083.jpg



CIMG9084.jpg


CIMG9085.jpg


(Note: no styli or vinyl was hurt during the production of these images. There's no cartridge on the headshell, and the record is a frisbee my son was using on the Capehart changer.)



Something just doesn't look right to me. Am I going to have to drill a new mounting hole to be able to use this arm? If so, I'm not real keen on the idea, since I really wanted to keep this table as stock as possible. The other mounting hole is exactly 12 inches pivot to spindle. The mounting distance per the Vinyl Engine is 242 cm....

Thoughts?

:scratch2:
 
Above the motor switch use the long set of mounting holes and post back. Your arm appears to be closer to an ATP-16T. Try that. The middle of the Audio-Technica logo should be aligned with the spindle on the inner grooves to be correct.
 
analog addict said:
I've had zero experience messing with tone arms and have been doing my best to find a tone arm for this table. An Audio Technica ATP-12T was recommended to me, so I bought one. Here is what it looks like on the table...

Oh yeah, as suggested, beneath the big washer was another mounting hole, also 8 inches from pivot to spindle.

CIMG9083.jpg



CIMG9084.jpg


CIMG9085.jpg


(Note: no styli or vinyl was hurt during the production of these images. There's no cartridge on the headshell, and the record is a frisbee my son was using on the Capehart changer.)



Something just doesn't look right to me. Am I going to have to drill a new mounting hole to be able to use this arm? If so, I'm not real keen on the idea, since I really wanted to keep this table as stock as possible. The other mounting hole is exactly 12 inches pivot to spindle. The mounting distance per the Vinyl Engine is 242 cm....

Thoughts?

:scratch2:
Click to expand...

Yes, You will need a mounting distance of 242mm for this, I´m quite sure of it.
gusten
 
Try the next one down close to the turntable and post a photo like above. I think you may be nearer to that one about alignment. If you like, I'll post a photo of mine and show you where the headshell should align to.
 
Last edited:
These are the specs for that arm:

Effective length: 257mm

Overhang: 15mm

Mounting distance: 242mm

Your arm needs to be mounted 242mm from the spindle which would be 9.52755 "

The mounting distance and overhang added together gives you the arms effective length. All you need to be concerned about is the arm is mounted exactly at the 242mm anywhere around the perimeter of the platter.
 
Last edited:
I just mounted one of these arms on my garrard, you will need to mount this at 242mm, take your time and measure then measure again , then measure again. the atp 12t is a great arm , a real bargain in the audio world. just take your time and keep checking everything, good luck!
atp1.jpg

atp2.jpg

atp3.jpg


Im happy to help if you have any more questions
 
so you should make yourself a templete. I used a piece of manila folder, draw a line all the way down the paper, then make a mark and measure 242mm from that line, cut a cross on the first line to use as the spindle hole , then stick a stick pin in the other end, make a mark on the plinth were the pin lands, easy enough , just measure a few times, make sure the stick pin is straight up and down and drill your holes. I have to say , after spending a couple of hours of checking measurements and adjusting and readjusting I have this thing dialed in. this is the first set up where I have NO inner groove distortion, sounds great with a dl103! you will really enjoy this arm.
temp1.jpg


temp2.jpg
 
I double checked my own setup, 242 mm is correct distance. Confirmed doubly. Checked another ATP-12T setup at work, 242 mm for it as well.
 
So, if I want to use this arm, I've no choice except to drill another set of holes, correct?...:sigh:

If, so, where should I mount it? If I use the last set of pix as a reference, let's call the position of the AT rest 1200
 
Last edited:
For tonearm mounting it doesn´t matter where You drill the holes, as long as the distance is 242mm to platter center. A lot of choices.
gusten
 
analog addict said:
So, if I want to use this arm, I've no choice except to drill another set of holes, correct?...:sigh:

If, so, where should I mount it? If I use the last set of pix as a reference, let's call the position of the AT rest 1200
Click to expand...

yeah man , you will need to drill some holes, it is really not a big deal. as long as it is 242 mm it can be placed anywhere around the radius of the platter.

if you really dont want to drill holes you could try and find the atp 10t , my guess is the closer holes in the plinth are set up for that arm and the further one back is for the atp 16t. that is if the holes on there are for AT arms. good luck!

edit: ok i just went back and read the original post, so I doubt you are going to be lucky enough to find a arm that happens to have the same mounting distance as the holes in the plinth, unless you knew what was on there in the first place. time to bust out the drill. its no big deal, you can do it!
 
Last edited:
Looking to pick up another arm for this thing. There's a Syntec S-220 on BT that has a pivot to spindle distance of 205mm or 1/16" difference from the pre-drilled holes in this table.

Would I be able to make this arm work by just adjusting the mounting of the cartridge on the head shell? Would this be a decent arm for this table?

:scratch2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom