Have seen a few of these types of videos concerning turntable setup and this one goes through each aspect in an easy to understand and methodical way. Great video Robert and thank you!
I enjoyed this.Good info.With my short attention span I find increasing the speed on the video to 1.25 or 1.5 gives you the info quicker and doesn't effect the sound much.It is a handy trick for most tutorials.
I am a Translator who never even laid my hands on a turntable, so glad to find this video when translating some subtitle for a turntable assembly video. Extremely helpful, thank you!
Great tutorial! I became a member of AudioKarma a few months ago and love the wealth of knowledge available. Thanks for the easy to follow steps for turntable setup.
Hi Robert, I just want to say thank you so much for posting this video of how to setup a turntable, I'm new to this and this video really helped me a lot in understanding not only how but also why it's so important to setup a turntable. After watching your video I rushed to eBay and purchased a professional scale and a protractor of the same models as you used in your video, now waiting for their arrival and then with great enthusiasm I'm gonna setup my Pioneer PL-516 after replacing the headshell with a nice looking gold one and also replacing the original cartridge with a Pickering XV-15. Can't wait to get it done and put a nice record on and relax in the sofa enjoying my turntable and that fantastic vinyl sound via my Olle Mirsch OM60 speakers. Once again, THANK YOU SO MUCH! :)
David.. Glad to help. It is not hard as you have discovered once someone shows you. It does however make a great difference in your listening experience and saves wear and tear on your vinyl..
Thank you Robert.You know how to explain and make it easier than it is to setup a turntable.I did it as you showed us in the video and i´m satisfied with the result.
Absolutely an effective video for educating people on a set-up sequence for turntables! I'm just getting into vinyl (Going off to college, and just heard vinyl, so I'd like to get into it- couldn't have asked for better timing). Your video cleared up my questions about Anti-skate control as well as how to properly configure the VTF- Thanks very much and many blessings to you!
Excellent video. You did a really good job of explaining everything thoroughly and easily, and never once did you make me feel like you knew everything and I didn't. You're an excellent teacher! Thanks for the video.
This is a very good video...I've done all of this and more...Man what a difference it made in the sound out of my turntable...It's incredible...I'm playing it through an Adcom GTP 500 preamp...into an Adcom GFA-555 amp and into some Joseph Audio Infinite Slope model 2 speakers....Sooooo sweet...
Okay folks, I have removed some comments here that really don't add to the thread. The intro on this (to some) may seem long but this is not a 1, 2, 3 recipe. Its an education for beginners so that not only can they DO what they need to, they understand WHY they need to.
Excellent presentation Robert. I just purchased a stylus "manual weight gauge" made by Ortofon after watching your video. Very impressed that you covered everything I was seeking. People neglect getting the platter level and even those who have made youtube videos that I watched neglected this. I have recently gone back to vinyl after 30 plus years and had to re-educate myself. I purchased an excellent as new condition Technics Sl 1200 Mk2 from a a non DJ and just love it. I use the technics gauge to set overhang and everything sounds sensational. My reference test is Rod Stewart's voice on one of my LP's. If you got things wrong this is one persons singing voice to gauge how far you are out ie re .sibilance and distortion I am glad my wife and I did not throw out our extensive collection of vinyl. After years of listening to CD's we both agree Vinyl is truly king.
Thanks for this video. The procedure you outlined on how to use the bearwald protractor answered many questions that I had. Specifically that the platter needs to be rotated slightly for the stylus to line up with the inner null point. Thanks again!
Thank you for making this very informative video. I just got a new turntable today - the first time I have had one where you have to adjust the weight on the tonearm. The instructions in the manual didn't make any sense, so I looked on RU-vid & found your video. Following the instructions here, I am confident I have got the weight to the correct setting and it sounds beautiful.
Thank you so much ! I have actually owned about 25 tables in the past two years...lol. My final now (have reduced to two) is my high end Clearaudio Concept and for older albums(so so condition) an ATLP120. I always bought legacy tables, fixed them, sold them...so many sounded awesome..so people do have many choices. I chose the CA Concept to be my HIGH end table. :-) Again my thanks and always hope this video helps.
Me again Robert. Received the gram scale today, and just finish calibrating the tonearm. I was in more than 2 grams! Now is in the correct setting, of 1.25 grams. Thanks again man.
As a beginner, thank you for this. All of the information was helpful, and the format you delivered it in was excellent. It seems daunting to properly listen to vinyl, but you've shown otherwise.
Excellent video, clear and concise. To those with nothing nice to say, go make your own video, we need more of these helpful videos out there and people that take time out of their lives to do this are much appreciated. As well as I happen to like the look of your table, I am sure it plays as nice or nicer than it looks
I am quite familiar with this because I had worked with turntables when I repaired stereo equipment since 1972-tracking force, angles, anti skate, cartridge connections, etc.- had good luck with all this.
Great information, well presented, and easy to understand. Only one hitch though...close-ups are out of focus. I really appreciate the turntable close ups that visually explain the results you should be getting after you complete a set-up step. I have to agree with David Waldeck, best set-up video I've see tonight. Thanks for practicing your presentation it makes a difference! Some of the videos have too many uhhhhhs, duhhhhs, and many vocal breaks by trying to "wing it". Unlistenable makes them unwatchable! Thanks!
Good explanation about using the Protractor for tracking setup which was what I was after, but, no mention of Overhang - that has to be first, re-checked last and crucial.
Actually no. You are confusing overhang. Overhang is what the manufacture gave as the "rough" number that could be used in lieue of a protractor - IF you know what alignment scheme they used (baerwald, Stevenson, etc.) where the overhang would be different depending on which is used. The protractor can ELIMINATE the overhang if done properly because it DOES set the overhang that is proper for that alignment scheme. Overhang can be used to "rough in" but only a protractor will ensure you are spot on. Want a good example ? Technics SL1200 MK2 overhang is 15mm but that is based on Stevenson. For baerwald (which I prefer ) it is 17mm. So if you aligned with a baerwald protractor and then went back and tried to set overhang, you would constantly be knocking out alignment.
Thank You ! I kept telling myself to make a new and improved video but getting the time to do it...UGG..I want to spend more time on alignment and the different methods. One of the best and easiest is an ARC protractor. They will cost about $50 but so worth it and easiest of ANYONE to use.
Robert Arco, thank you very much for the info on setting up a turntable i have just bought a used one. it is a technics sl1200mk2 and i tried it out and my records sounded terrible..I played them first without cleaning them..so after i cleaned them the sound improved but i think i need to buy a new cartridge and do all of the adjustments that you have demonstrated. Great tutorial! Best wishes
Excellent TT setup advice here especially the importance of stylus tracking force. Most cartridges track and sound better in the upper end of their recommended range. Even though it may be up to half a gram heavier the resulting improvement in tracking causes less record wear and smoother sound than if it was set to a lower weight but not tracking as well.
this is a basic set up master class! amazing info... thank you for getting in to all the details i really learned a lot. i bought the protractor as you were speaking haha. i hope you will do more videos!
Thanks alot for sharing all this great info. Will help me a lot . Stuff that thought I was doing right. Just greeting ready to set up my mk1200 after they set around for 10 years . I am just waiting for my 2 new cartridges. Thanks for sharing all the knowledge
Wonderful job in explaining a complex setup in a straightforward way. Just a small point. After doing your alignment it’s worth rechecking the tracking force.
Thanks Tim and you are correct. There are many things I could "do over" , for example , checking the weight should be done level with the platter - but I wanted to help the real new newbies understand the concepts in a simple way. I don't even use the protractor myself anymore because I have a custom mirror alignment tool that is etched - one of our audio friends designed and built them....really cool...Thanks for the feedback !
Good video for the beginner. I would highly recommend the use of a dBSystems protractor, or something equivalent, to set one of the more crucial aspects of cartridge alignment - overhang. Overhang will affect tracking force so it should be set first. I've found that one millimeter of difference one way or the other can make a big difference with overhang and subsequent alignment and weight adjustments. Good job!
You check the weight with the scale at that height it's not the same weight as when the stylus is actually touching the record. I would recommend doing the weight away from the platter and have something supporting the scale so that it is at exactly the height of the record.
Yes, it was an original Pioneer PL-600 that I painted black and then built a base...that table (and others in the series) are amazing PL500, PL530, PL540, PL570 and PL600...Beautiful tables with flawless operation.
hey rob..well i must say thanks ..wow this is a very good resource..you have here..i did all that you said in this video ..i bought the protractor and the scale..and it works just fine ..thanks you
Glad this helped. Yes, it is scary. Go to audiokarma and ask on the turntable forum. The thorens experts can help you. Same rules apply though. Proper tracking weight as per the cartridge, proper alignment,etc. Best to you
That is an awesome table. Generally on the pioneer there is a screw adjustment. One to set the start position, another for the return. I go to vinylengine to get the user manuals and the service manuals. I looked for you and it is only in Japanese. I checked guides from similar tables (I believe yours was a Japan only model) and it might use a trip sensor ...I am really sorry I cant help..try this...go to audiokarm...(search for it) and go to the turntable forum. Post your question and they can help
Hi Bryan, I built it out of oak. I have made a number of bases to dress up tables. My latest project ? Another Pioneer Pl-600 that was beat up, completely stripped, serviced and now the plinth is BRIGHT RED with Black arm pivot area, chrome platter and arm tube and black headshell...Looks like a modern TT but with a killer vintage mechanics (quartz lock pll - full auto) I can always be reached arcorob ..and that would be on that old gmail service...LOL
Yes the turntable did have a dj cartridge and it was in really bad shape..I recently bought a shure m44-7 cartridge and it sounds Awesome!! thank you for the info.
Stijn...I agree with part of what you said and disagree on some. First, remember this is a total newbie training video. Your subject goes to a forum post (class 301...lol). So the basic manufacturer rule of thumb is set it on or about the same as VTF. A test record is great, but again, we are talking newbie. There are several basic ways to set anti skate (use a mono test record and your ears for example ) but it is a PROVEN fact there is a correlation between VTF and anti-skate. And setting your to 1/2 gram actually increases the need for anti skate and thus false readings. If VTF is increased (past what is needed) it can actually eliminate the need for anti-skate. Remember, skate is actually cause by resonant frequency vibration, not spin as many people think. So to test at 1/2 gram you have a needle that is vibrating wildly requiring incorrect counterforce. THIS IS WAY PAST where this topic should be on this beginner video. If you would like to discuss, post this on the turntable forum at audiokarma. FOR YOU NEWBIES..STICK WITH THE VIDEO
Great video, learned alot! I have a Pioneer PL-50L. I have a problem with the tonearm auto return. Half way thru last song on album, tonearm lifts up. Do I need to adjust the tonearm? Thanks!
