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SL-1200MK7 Tonearm Height question

A

Arthur92

New Member
Hi all,

I got a question about Technics SL-1200 MK7 tonearm height (VTA).

I think there is an error in the manual of the MK7.

For example, for a cartridge of 18 mm, the manual says that the tonearm position is 1. It is the same value in the manual of SL-1200G an SL-1200GR.

But the SL-1200MK7 is supplied with a 1,8 / 2 mm little felt mat. The SL-1200G an SL-1200GR are supplied with solid 3 mm rubber mat.

How it can be the same value for these two type of turntable ? I know that the tonearm height for Technics is calculated in termes of supplied mat thickness and stock headshell.

What did you say about that ? I tend to think that the correct tonearm position for 18 mm cartridge on MK7 is more 0 position.

Thanks for your answers !

Best regards,
Arthur
 
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Forget that. Too many cartridge manufacturers do not follow standards. Adjust VTA until arm is parallel to record with stylus in the groove as a starting point. Go up or down (or leave it there) as your ears tell you.
 
@WaynerN is correct. Even if there were "standards" for this sort of thing, there are way too many areas for variations in manufacturing tolerances - even between the same models sometimes - to be very useful.
 
My strong recommendation is to get a rubber mat of some type if you want to use the deck for home listening. I also agree with the suggestion to ignore the cart height suggestion in the manual. Get a lined index card or acrylic vta block and use that instead.
 
I also wouldn't trust the numbers on the tonearm directly relating to the height values in the manual.
My method of adjusting VTA (and azimuth) is using a small bubble level on top of the head shell (compensate for the added weight, of course)
 
Thanks for your answer. I changed the stock slipmat for a 3 mm Panasonic rubber mat. The same as Sl-1200 G and GR. So i leaved the tonearm on the position 1.

I have an Ortofon 2m Blue cartridge so the correct VTA is very important.

The opinions are generaly very confused about tonearm parallel, headshell parallel, bubble level, etc.

i just tried to put a very small bubble level on the headshell. The bubble level weight is 0,42 g. So i reduce the tracking force to 1,38 g (1,8 g before).

When the headshell is « level », the tonearm position is 0 with a 3 mm rubber mat. And the tonearm look very tail down.

To mesure headshell level, i have a square with parralel lines. It is hard hard to see with eyes.

If i mesure front and back of the tonearm with a ruler, the back is way more tail down.

What is the Correct method to mesure if the tonearm VTA is ok?

Thanks !
Best regards
Arthur
 
Arthur92 said:
I have an Ortofon 2m Blue cartridge so the correct VTA is very important.
Click to expand...

Arthur92 said:
What is the Correct method to mesure if the tonearm VTA is ok?
Click to expand...

It is much less important that you think. Measure at the headshell end using the VTA block or the Index card with lines. Get it in the ballpark and it will be fine. VTA settings go out the window every time you play a thicker or thinner record or when a record has a minor defect or warp in it.
 
The orientation of the cartridge is more important than how level the tonearm is.
First, place the bubble level on a flat part of the head shell. Look closely and confirm the top of the head shell is parallel to the top of the cartridge (head shell should be same thickness front to back in the area you rest the bubble level).
Zero out the tonearm counterweight so it floats with the added weight of the bubble level, then add your 1.8g by rotating the counterweight. You can also use a scale for this step.
Lower the needle onto a record (w/ the motor off) and adjust the height until the bubble is in the center. You can also adjust the azimuth if necessary by slightly rotating the head shell where it screws into the arm.
 
I have now the tonearm position to 0 and the bubble level is very very near from level when stylus is in the grooves. I already set my Azimuth with bubble level since few month.

Also, my ruler with parralel lines show me that the headshell is parralel when stylus is in the groove. When i try to raise the tonearm, i see the différence. I think !

So the other question is to know if top of the headshell is parralel to the cartridge... It is very hard to determine.

It is not something known that Technics stock headshell is parralel or not with the top of every cartridges ?

Thanks a lot !
 
Jeff449 i didn’t understand very well your method. I used this method.

I put my bubble level on stylus scale, and the weight was 0,42 g. Assuming my VTF is 1,8, i subtract 0,42 g to arrive at 1,38 g. Now, i can put the stylus in the groove with bubble level on the headshell to see if It is level at 1,8g. I subtract the weight of bubble level of the correct futur tracking force.

Is that make sense to you ?

Sorry for my bad English
Arthur
 
If you are using the stock head shell, we can assume it is uniform thickness.
Since you have a stylus scale, just adjust the counterweight so that the scale reads 1.8g with the bubble level on top of the head shell. No math involved. When you are done adjusting VTA, you can remove the bubble level and then reset your counterweight to 1.8 using the scale before playing records.
 
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