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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2024
- In this video, Leif Johannsen, Ortofon's Chief Officer Acoustics and Research, explains how to set up and align your high-end cartridge correctly. Leif takes you through six main steps to make sure your precious cartridge performs its best so you can enjoy a full experience when listening to your favorite records.
WHY IS THE CARTRIDGE AND SETUP SO IMPORTANT?
The cartridge makes the first and only contact with the record groove, picking up all the musical information. That's why the cartridge, positioned in the tonearm of the turntable, is the key factor in your vinyl-based HiFi system. And if you want to get the most out of your records. But, as it goes for the rest of your HiFi system, it is crucial to have your cartridge installed correctly if you want the full experience. In this video, we will help you to get there!
CHAPTER OVERVIEW:
02:34 - 1. Mounting the Cartridge
06:00 - 2. Vertical Tracking Force
08:52 - 3. Lateral Alignment
12:25 - 4. Azimuth
14:46 - 5. Cantilever Angle & Stylus Rake Angle
25:41 - 6. Anti-Skating
32:40 - Recap
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE MC VERISMO?
The MC Verismo has been developed based on our extensive knowledge of vibration properties, different shapes and materials characteristics, competences in magnetism, mechanical design, and technologies. This new state-of-the-art product, representative of numerous Ortofon design ideals, is truly exemplary of the highest degree of performance possible in contemporary analogue playback technology. The MC Verismo will undoubtedly provide sound which simply has to be experienced.
Visit our website to learn more about the MC Verismo www.ortofon.com/mc-verismo-p-...
PLEASE NOTE:
Some of these adjustments may not be necessary or possible due to your cartridge, turntable, or setup equipment. But the more adjustment you make when setting up your cartridge, the greater experience you will get.
Always remember that cartridges are extremely delicate devices. Absolute care and attention must be given when installing your cartridge to avoid any accidental damage.
If you need more general advice on setting up your cartridge, please visit our FAQ on our website www.ortofon.com/support/suppo... - เพลง
My opinion is that these videos are priceless.
Excellent.
I wish I had recordings of Mr. Johannsen describing all things I need to learn in life.
This is by far the best explanation I ever heard about setting up the cartridge. Thanks a lot!
Have you seen fremer do it at home? Recomended👍 this is also Great tho, No question
Absolutely brilliant tutorial on cartridge alignment with some really good tips.
The importance of getting the various adjustments right for high end reproduction makes absolute sense - particularly the vertical tracking angle which is often overlooked.
Now we have the right technology with digital microscopes this can now be managed easily.
The only area I would like to have seen more detail is setting the cartridge geometry at the various null points using a protractor.
I watched the other Ortofon video on "What makes a cartridge good: moving magnet vs moving coil" and now appreciate why a high end MC cartridge is sonically better and why they cost more!
As I will be purchasing a new cartridge with either line contact or shibata stylus, this video has provided beneficial information. My current cartridge stylus is elliptical and the stylus assemblies of higher end cartridges demand careful alignment to realize their sonic benefits.
Brilliantly done! I will follow these exact steps with my 2M Bronze.
How did it go?
Thank you for high school instruction manual of cartridge calibration with microscope.
Mr. Johansson. The finest setup video I've ever seen. Thank you, my friend!
The modern design of their cartridges is so slick and futuristic looking. I like it so much
And yet it has it's beginnings in the 19th century. Very old technology.
@lief Johannsen,
I was with you until you used a mirror to set the azimuth.
Although that is better than nothing, it is not the ideal way of setting the azimuth (so I have been told).
There is a vinyl record that is designed preciously for azimuth alignment. Combined with an oscilloscope, you can dial in the alignment as near perfectly as possible.
Perhaps you can elaborate on this?
What I know is what my audio dealer showed me -- years ago, when their turntable guru dialed in my cartridge.
He showed me the record (which I cannot remember who made it) and he showed me his oscilloscope.
And I have heard other turntable experts (I believe one was Michael Fremer) caution against using a mirror when seeking out the best azimuth setting.
Very good video!
If you haven't done it by now, you should do a vidoe on how to use each track on the Ortofon test record.
Great idea.
Tonarmjustage Top
Wonderful to see the precision procedure. Very good explanations. Thank You very much.
Very important lesson! I am a big fan of Ortofon cartridges since 40 years.I love how they reproduce the music.
Congratulations!
Thank you 🙏🏼
Ortofon was my go to cartridge in the early 80's a VMS 20 on an Ariston RD 40 & Mission 774 LC arm combination.
@@Ortofonofficial MR Ortofon how come you wouldnt use your flagship MC cartridges on your flagship Ortofon Tonearms from the late 50s and 60s?
Thank you
@@maxsavage3998You think tonearm technology peaked in the 1960s?
I too have been a fan of Ortofon cartridges since 1987, when I purchased an X3-MC model. I had been using this cartridge up until about 3yrs ago. I had this cartridge mounted in a SME 3009 III S arm, running 2 grams TF. Believe it or not, the stylus showed hardly any wear after all these years. But, I figured that the damping of the stylus had deteriorated GRADUALLY. Since this is an MC design, I contacted Ortofon about having the stylus replaced. NO. It is TOO old. So I bought a new "orange" Ortofon (moving magnet) cartridge. I REALLY don't see a big difference in the sound quality between the "old" and the "new" cartridge. Maybe I am getting too old (pushing 80) and have been listening to the "squeaky" cell phones and the crappy flat-panel TVs to appreciate HIGH QUALITY sound! LOL
Perfectly done, many thanks for it!
Woa !!, thank you for such a great master class, the best video and explanation so far. Congrats !!
Love this! Great cart and video!
Many compliments to Mr. Leif Johannsen, after many videos i think this is the best and well done on how to set up the cartridge.
Great 👍 I always love Ortofon cartridge as I have been using them since 2003
Anti skating was useful and I think I was missing in that part now I have better technical skills after watching your video. Thanks
Many thanks for explaining how it should be done in detail.
Covered ALL the bases...well done
Fantastic. Thank you.
Very nicely explained. Great video! Thanks for sharing.. Cheers..
Perfekt erklärt! Vielen Dank!
Superb explanation and the use of huge models to illustrate your fabulous explanation was inspired. Thank you! I understand how, and why, I need to be setting up my TT.
Great video, helps a lot.thanks😊
Superb,clearest most concise video and information I've seen on the subject.
Bravo 💙👍
Thank you, Mark!
Buongiorno Signor JOHANNSEN. La Ringrazio per aver fatto questo video sull' installazione della testina sul braccio. Ottimo lavoro. W ORTOFON 😁😁😁🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🔝🙋♂️🙋♂️🙋♂️🙋♂️🙋♂️
Well done, clear and concise.
Having an SME (312S) myself, this pretty much covers my needs. It would be useful for many (with other tonearms) to see horizontal alignment of a tonearm with slots for cartridge mounting screws, though (using a protractor).
Regarding SRA/VTA, would you recommend test record and IMD measurements to really make the most of it? Especially relavant with equipment of this calibre..
Regarding azimuth, I see you align the stylus. But this leaves me with a few additional questions. There is the issue of the stylus itself, and that is well covered. But there is also the issue of the coil alignment relative to the groove. This will influence channel separation or crosstalk. I assume with a cartridge in this price range, the housing, stylus, and coils can be assumed to be perfectly aligned with each other, and aligning one aligns the others. I would like to hear your views on crosstalk measurements in azimuth adjustments?
well done! Thank you!
Great video
Excellent.
Thank u for ultimate guide.
Those are some serious equipment
Been messing with turntables for over 50 years and have been paying attention to everything mentioned here for years. The only thing I might add and I could be wrong but when it comes down to VTA I would think the angle changes slightly once the record starts spinning due to the friction and any slight warp etc.
Some might think this attention to detail is over the top but if you consider what your album collection is worth why not set things up right. It’s not like you have to recheck these things weekly. Some times the smallest adjustment will make a difference you weren’t expecting. 34:42
How do you find the right cartridge tonearm match? Great show and tell! Thank you.
I like the Dane - often they are very sensible… I went to Denmark and found a lot of it to be very sensible. Indeed I have (of course) the Ortofon Concorde which I like a lot... Oh yes.
Thank you for the video. I am sorry but I did not understand the 90 degree measurement of the diamond. Which parts do us as measurement points. The tip and the upper middle of the diamond?
great explanation, the usb microscope you are using gives terrific pictures.....is this one in the 1000 $ range....or are there cheaper option that will do the job? i had poor experience with those 20$ china usb microscopes you find on ebay....thats why i am asking ....how much should one invest do get such quality picture? thanks a lot!
good video but one question, I understand the azimuth and vertical tracking angle are important for this Replicant needle but is it equal important if we use a spherical or elliptical needle?
Nicely done sir. Assuming of course that you can afford to own this wonderful equipment, reach into your pocket one more time and PAY an expert to do this for you! 😀
He is the expert. He's a cartridge designer for Ortofon!
doing it yourself helps you learn
@@fredbissnette3104 Do at home what Mr. Johannsen is demonstrating? It's also good to have a sense of humor...
I don't necessarily agree without qualification. You'll at least have to find an expert who actually is an expert, and they are harder to find than you might think. I've been in this hobby for a few decades, and the horror stories about people charging customers for their incompetence are too many to count.
Only by taking the trouble to learn a little bit for yourself will you be able to know who to trust.
And let's face it, it's not that difficult. It just takes a small effort to learn, and then just taking your time to get it right.
A test record and a cheap digital microscope from Amazon snapping a photo with you’re phone and a plastic protractor is all it really takes . How many people even check SRA or VTA ? I know I never have . I’ve never used a test record to set my anti skate level either . Just snatched the number value to the VTF . After watching this it kinda makes me want to get that test record , although there’s more to setting up you’re anti skate then that . There’s a compromise on so many different aspects and ways to get to that best all around setting . Hell , my setup sounds killer . Why mess with it ? My Ortofon is 42 years old and still sounds killer
I may be wrong, but as soon as we change the record, the raking angle is gonna change as well. Vinyl records tend to have different thickness (120g, 140g, 180g), not counting the deviation, so the raking angle will never be perfect and it's always an estimate. And no record is perfectly flat, so the raking angle will change across the same record tons of times.
I got a 2m blue replacement stylus, and i found that the cantilever rake angle was to flat, the plastic body almost contacted the record.. i finaly decided that i would risk braking the thing, i carefully adjusted the cantilever angle very slightly.
Then it could track the groove without noise.
Great explanation Mr. Johansen, thank you!
I checked my current cartridge of a Koetsu Black and found out that the cut is different. It seems like it needs a more cantilever angle so that the line surface is 90 degree. Can it be or is it just my mistake? 😅
thank you
very informative. Learned a lot, thank you. I am concerned I can't find data on the actual "needle" angle, outward placement to it's cartridge? I have a Ortofon MC Windfeld, and whether my wife/cats/kids went to my den, my cartridge backside hits before the needle. I am concerned about the emphasis of perpendicular tone arm to platter, vs my situation. I can either lift the tonearm completely (TURNTABLE: PROJECT EVO 12). OR.... is there something to moving the actual needle away from its own cartridge. Due to expensive, I am stuck and haven't moved either way.. very quiet den... :( If someone is an expert or of Mr. Johannsen could talk about the situations in moving or not the needle in the cartridge, which would be a good topic I am sure, but selfishly, if I could get an expert's "fix" to my predicament. Very much appreciated.
Very clear demonstration thank you! Is there an alternative method to check the correct set-up of the SRA of your replicant stylus without using a digital microscope etc?
Thank you for the nice feedback!
Regarding your question: While there exist products that help you approximate this measure by eye, the only way to be certain is through a microscope. Even just a few degrees can make a difference.
about the Azymuth please tell to the people that in a fixed tonearm you can put spacers under the headshell but the best thing to do when you have that kind of issue is to adjust the tonearm base attachment because we have a disalignment on the base of the tonearm facing the platter face, after that you'll never have to worry about azymuth, different things are on a adjustable tonearm example a SME or tp4 removable headshell attachment. thanks for this accurate guide.
For the antiskating setting, using a test record with high modulation tracks actually isn't the best method.
This method will always result in too much antiskating.
The skating force is mainly dependant on 2 parameters: stylus pressure and modulation of the track. And modulation plays a big part in it
Because the modulation of a test track is way higher than what music on a record will ever achieve, the resulting antiskating will be way to high. I have a set of orsonic side force checkers that will measure the correct amount of skating/antiskating (they basically work as a force balance), and my experience is that when measuring skatingforce at 70µm, you're about 0,5 (on the antiskate knob) too high compared to music with high modulation (for instance 80's pop music on a dmm cut record) and up to 0,75 too high on the antiskating knob compared to normal modulation (for instance 70's laquer cut pop music records).
Obviously it depends on the tonearm, but my experience is that using the numbers on the dial/ the manufacturers settings are more representative for acutal played music than using a test record with modulon grooves 50µm or higher.
Interesting
I normally set anti skate to a nominal 75% of VTF and then just dial it in by ear using well known records. I just listen for the focus / solidity of the stereo image.
You have to love the confidence of a man telling an expert that they're doing it wrong.
@@tzed2509a real expert would have used an orsonic side force checker or similar tool, and adressed the fact that the skating force is highly dependant on the friction foce of the stylus on the record which is in itself highly dependant on the smount of modulation.
Even James Kogen (later CEO of Shure) used a similar device in his publications on antiskating.
Any expert would know this and address this in his video😁
And it doesn't take an expert to acknowledge that a groove modulation of 60um is way louder than any music on record, let alone 80um.
The loudest part in music on a record you'll ever come across is more akin to ~40um.
Thankyou.
Why did you cut a straight line in the edge of the record when setting the VTA? Also what program did you use to measure the exact measurement of your VTA angle?
Thanks for the great video. Very informative and detailed. I have a question regarding the VTA. Is it absolutely necessary for the arm to be parallel with the surface? or is the angle itself the target. I have a Jeclo arm that sits very high and I had to put 2 Mats on the platter and it is still not parallel.
The digital microscope cracked me up. I was a Disc Jockey during the 1970's. We did not use microscopes to set up a turntable. K.I.S.S.
Enjoyed this video! Do you happen to have a brand name for the usb microscope you're using as it looks to be much nicer than the million or so listed on the web that don't work well? Thanks!
I’m watching the video at approximately 26.25 minutes. Can you or someone explain how the needle gets dragged to the center of the record? Is there some force in the tonearm itself moving the arm towards the middle of the record? or is it the needle sitting in the groove and the spiraling affect of the groove is actually pushing the needle towards the center, not dragging.
It was interesting to note that the cartridge manufacturer/designer is far less neurotic than most audiophiles. (Although the precision of the SME V does make overhang / lateral alignment a lot easier.)
Do you have a video how you mount a tonearm properly?
Hello, I was happy to exchange the Ortofon 2m Blue portable gram for 2m Black. Just buy a new tip and replace the black one with a blue one, or do you have to buy the whole head? Well thank you.
Hi Leif Johannsen. Fantastic exxplainment and very useful video, I have two questions.
1. My cartridge is a Ortofon Quintet Black, my tonearm is a SME 309 and turntable is a Linn Sondek LP12. When I am testing at 70 MHz or higer, the sound is slightly out of balance, I have tried to change the Anti-skating in many ways, but it does not help much - is the Quintet not able to play the 70 Hz clean ? - the Azimut is ok and also the stylus angle, haven't got a microscope though..
2. Which turntable are you using in your listening room in the video ? Looks quite advanced 😊
Best Regards
Flemming Ovesen, Holstebro-Denmark.
I have a Quintet Blue and it can track at 70µm with a well setup arm but not at 80µm.
Lower the tonearm if sound is to bright, Raise the tonearm is if sound is dull :-)
Buongiorno Signor JOHANNSEN. Sono un Fortunato possessore della MC JUBILEE Boron cantilever stilo Nude SHIBATA 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️🙋🏻♂️
For the Ortofon 2M Bronze is the same configuration?
for anti skating, i use a trick to make it easy. use a disk record in mono. when image is centered, antiskating is set
As for the cantilever angle and stylus rake angle, the shell of my old Technics SL-2900 allows to move the cartridge forward or backwards until you manage to get the optimum angle. I bought a Nagaoka cartridge and its shell is not compatible with the tone arm of the SL-2900, for I couldn't get the correct adjustment. So I acquired a new Technics shell and the problem was solved. The difference in audio quality is immense when the cantilever angle and stylus rake angle are not correct.
Doesn’t applies to medium range TTS. It’s for highend set up. Like SME Transrotor clear Audio etc
Looking at the microscope picture at 21:09, it looks like the angle is measured to the back edge of the stylus, not the centerline. This is very surprising to me. Is this standard for all cartridges?
Very good explanation! What is your suggested material for the spacer?
Thank you for the feedback, Heinz-Dieter! Our suggestion is to get something non-magnetic.
@@Ortofonofficial like what ? Any link of product ?
it makes violin playing looks easy.
What is the make and model of the stand for the USB microscope?
Just bought this record, have a technics sl1210mk2(from February 1988) and 2M bronze on technics original headshell.
Is there any specific way to adjust this setup?
So this leaves out the most challenging parts because of the very specific compatibility of this gear and cartridge
My understanding is that skating is more of an issue as you approach the inner grooves of the LP. That being the case, maximizing high level inner groove tracking would seem, by definition, to impair performance in the first part of the LP. I have found that to be the case in my own setups and listening. Clarity in the earlier part can be lost by over pursuing any losses in the inner grooves.
Absolutely correct. That's why we use a protractor; its the best compromise (this is all a compromise)
Why don't cartridge manufactures allow for the 92 degrees cutting angle? We're told to align with the arm parallel to the record surface which usually is 90 degrees SRA. To get 92 degees you have to raise the rear of the tonearm approx 8mm.
Only to setup tracking force. When it is in contact with the record arm will not be level.
What model of digital microscope was used?
Next, we’re going to set up our CD player…
Hello, I am planning to replace the Ortofon 2m Blue cartrige and replace it with a 2m Black. Is it enough to buy a spare 2m Black tip and replace it with a 2m Blue one, or do I need to buy a complete cartrige and switch the wiring? Thanks for advice.
Hi, short answer: you have to buy a complete cartridge. Details to be found here: www.ortofon.com/stylus-2m-black-p-393-n-3384
One thing bugged me: how do you have perfect lateral alignment just with the distance from the spindle to the arm pivot and dont take in account the cartridge size and stylus land position?
SME tonearms allow adjustment back and forward to fine tune where the stylus will be on the record, they even ship with a carboard for that...
What am i missing on this?
Thank you for the question, Ricardo! On this tonearm the lateral alignment is adjusted during the installation of the tonearm, the cardboard and the fine tuning is meant to be used at this stage. You cannot adjust placement of the cartridge forwards or backwards on the headshell, and as such the lateral alignment doesn’t change.
@@Ortofonofficial Doesn’t this presume that different styli have the exact same overall length from the tone arm pivot? For example, are all cartridges manufactured with the exact same difference between the mounting screws and where the stylus contacts the record? I would think not. If not, that means the overhang would be either correct or incorrect depending on which cartridge is used. My tone arm head shell is slotted and I set the appropriate overhang. Since the SME V head shell isn’t slotted, wouldn’t the overhang possibly be incorrect with no way to adjust for this?
The SME needs to be repositioned by loosening the screws on the pillar and move it in the right direction using the special tool that you put in the back. With the sme alignment protractor this is very easy. The distance between stylus and screwholes is fifferent for every cartridge and at the ortofon site is a list withe these measurements for all their cartridges. For vta their is also the tool to change the height of the arm. I guess they did not know where they left these tools...(and the manual)
And a usefull tip for setting the arm horizontal. Use a green laser crossbeam. First set the arm horizontal and than change the height and with the laser it is easy to measure the different settings.
also if you have to move cartridge forward or back the tracking force will change. i always do my geometry first and when everything is set i set my tracking force.
Why did you not use the Ortofon Force Gauge for checking the tracking force, is the Ortofon Force Gauge not accurate enough ?
You can never adequately align azimuth by eye even using beam protractors or mirrors. Why? Because not all styli are plumb 90 degrees to the cantilever. The only way to do it properly is to test the phonostage output for each channel on a scope using a 1khz test tone from a good test LP. Get it within 20mV channel balance at output is possible with small azimuth adjustments and the audible improvements can be an eye opening experience. The vta angle is far less important. Tonearm level is fine for most. Best low average distortion setting for anti skate and accurate azimuth together with fine vtf adjustment are by far the most important factors.
Many people don’t have an oscilloscope, obviously. The Fozgometer is a reasonable substitute, although it’s not inexpensive, either ($400)…
@@MrChristerBerg That's the thing, as a decent digital scope can be had for half that price these days.
@@ReferenceFidelityComponents Perhaps. But how many people in the general population have ever used an oscilloscope? That's a small, small minority. At least the Fozgometer is super easy to use, and coming with instructions directly related to using the various tracks on the Analogue Productions test LP.
@@MrChristerBerg actually, modern digital scopes are pretty easy to use and anyone capable of setting a cart up can certainly use both a scope and use a test lp. Whether some lack the confidence is another matter but on average it takes me no more than 15 minutes to show most clients how to do it. I understand that it seems daunting but try it and see for yourself, it really isn’t that difficult. Convenience is easier to market though, and most may pay more for a more convenient solution.
What's the size of these cartridge screws? Regular M2.5 or Japanese style M2.6?
What material can be used as a "SPACER"? Thanks!
The outer side of the groove is the left channel.The inner side of the groove is right.
Please show the lateral alignment using a protractor.
What turntable is used in this demonstration?
ORTOFON FF15 E MK2 the manual cartridge diagram states G at top with stylus bottom of diagram, blue top right, white bottom right and green top left, red bottom left? Is that correct, can anyone answer?
Anyone a good link to a digital microscope like in the video?
Pick anyone from Amazon. These cheap ones are good enough. The most important part is the microscope stand so you can adjust it properly
Vertical tracking force??? In the early 60s we’d tape a quarter on the arm to eliminate skipping
How do you determine the best tracking force for each cartridge?
Ear. That and mistracking (again determined by ear)
What is the point of this test record if the hole in my copy is not centered?
And I hear it.
👌
Why wouldnt you use your flagship Ortofon Tonearms from the 1950s 60s?
What the hell would you use for spacers?
That's a vacuum hold down table. Unless the record is held down to the platter your VTA adjustment will be off. VTA is always adjusted be ear. You also didn't appear to optimize the overhang.
Thanks life benefits
Anybody know what microscope stand that is?
Unfortunately, the model used in the video is discontinued, but the direct replacement is the Dino-Lite AM4113T.
@@Ortofonofficial Thanks but I'm inquiring about the 'stand' not the scope itself.
@@Moneypizzle if I see correctly, the base should also be by Dino Lite. That should be the RK-06-AE or something similar
@@jazzmetalaudiophile Thanks!
Vta is almost impossible to get it right for all records. Thin 1980 pressed vinyl is very different then 180 grams if today's records
Set your specs on a thick 180gr record and use two thin records or a piece of paper under your thin record to bring it up to the same height.
@@warpspeed9877 How about different platter pads of varying thicknesses. Or just forget the whole thing and just be happy. This makes so glad to be a CD guy. None of this is an issue. LPs are great but their time has come and gone and should be gone, dead and buried. You spend more time and money on a turntable and cartridge than the worth of the vinyl record. One has to be crazy to pay $1,000 or more to play a record that may have cost $3.50. After 50+ years of owning and playing vinyl, I was grateful for the CD.
I went through all that in the 1980s, it's a damn site easier to put a CD in a tray and press a button and relax knowing you're not listening to tracking distortion which is unavoidable with turntables no matter how carefully you set them up. Plus you'll get the full dynamic range from the recording which you'll never get from vinyl.
if your into cd what you even here for then
Valid question, lol.@@wilo1955
I'd like to work in the industry. How do I start?
Holding the record by the playing surface ? Tonearm should be moved by a nudge sideways & never gripped ? Nevertheless great explanation of correct setup .
Why not clean the contacts first. Amazing tutorial but I’d say its worth doing a clean even of brand new wires and contacts. Only missing thing i thought of through the whole vid. Ortofon rules.
Love to know the turntable he’s using here.
Ah well anyione know what model is the turntable?