Tonearm levelling query

[AlexH]

Hi all

I've just picked up a Hitachi HT-550. It's lovely and I want to make sure I'm getting the best out of it.

I've noticed that the rear of the tonearm assembly doesn't appear level, it is angled very slightly over to the right. The head shell is level though.

Unsure whether this is intentional or something has gone out of adjustment! Apologies I've tried to take photos but it's difficult to get the angle to show the lean to the right side.

After checking the see service manual and searching online, I can't find an answer. Does anyone know if this is out of adjustment and if so, how it should be adjusted?

Many thanks!

 

[twiiii]

Ideally both should be level. But having the head shell level and the cartridge mounted correctly is more important. Thats the simple answer! Just make sure the angle of the head shell doesn't change as the cartridge traverses the record. If it does its time for a quick sale or return for a refund and look for a better turntable.

Those ultra thin Dynagroove records where never flat with deprerssions and bumps so you would never have an ideal setting to get the perfect cartridge alignment. Most folks who collect records that were pre-owned if viewed with a bright light putting a strip across the LP will see variations in the LP. Small ones I call ripples larger one warps. A real challenge for pivoting tone arms for sure. If I were to win the lottery I would buy a Bergmann TT with vacuum hold to make the lp as flat as possibe witha air suspended linear tone arm. But they aren't cheap starting some where around $15000 for the simple linear model and reaching 2 to 3 times that price for the better models with the vacuum hold down of the LP.

All records are imperfect so don't let little thing like height adjustment take away from your listening pleasure.