Acoustical Systems arche User manual

arché©
5D headshell
owner’s manual

The arché is the 1st universal headshell
ever to enable the user to adjust each
and all settings of cartridge alignment
right at the spot - at the headshell /
cartridge - and independent from each
other.
Further it is the 1st high-end headshell
to offer the paramount important ad-
justments of SRA and VTA to be made
at the cartridge itself - while keeping
tonearm settings stable and unaltered.
In its design, as well as in its choice
of materials and manufacture the arché
goes new ways and opens up new
Introduction horizons in adjustment and sonic
performance.
Designed and manufactured like an
expensive tonearm, the arché maximizes
rigidity, energy transfer and adjustment
options. Featuring a composition of
non-parallel surface construction,
unique ways of inner dampening and
prime materials.
Triple-tempered aerospace grade alumi-
num, structure fortied micro titan tubes,
nano ball-plungers and special custom
made stainless steel screws are the main
components of an unique design. A
design which serves as the very best pos-
sible partner and link for any cartridge
and any tonearm with a SME-bayonet.

Variants
The arché is available in a choice of
prime nishes :
- satin nish - ceramic silver
- satin nish - 24 ct gold
- satin nish - rhodium
- satin nish - black

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Accessories
The arché comes with a complete
selection of accessories:
1 2 pairs of M 2.5 brass screws w/nuts
2 3 Allen key wrenches w/ SW 0.89,
1.5 und 2 mm
3 SME-bayont isolationrings -
(1) rubber (mounted) and (1) copper
4 alternative M4 nylon screw for
SRA-adjustment
5 OFC headshellleads set
6spirit level
7 scale plate for SRA

Adjustments 1. Overhang
In the arché overhang can be adjusted
at 2 different spots.
You may use the prolonged screw slots
for mounting the 1/2” cartridge.
Furthermore you can slide back and
forth the whole cartridge at the SME
collar afterundoing the collar-xing
screw.
Both options do allow for approximate
5-6 mm adjustment each.
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2. Offset angle
The setting of the required offset angle
also can be made in the prolonged
mounting slots.
The prolonged slots are a bit wider
than necessary to accommodate a
M 2.5 screw.
Thus they allow for about +/- 3-5°
offset-angle to be adjusted by moving
the cartridge to the required position.

3. Azimuth
Azimuth can be adjusted by rst
undoing the collar-xing screw.
Now you can rotate the complete
headshell around the collar in both
directions by +/- 3-4°.
There are helping lines at the back of
the arché to nd certain direction and
spots.
Make sure to fasten the collar screw
again after azimuth adjustment.
!

!
!

4. SRA / VTA
In the arché the adjustment of SRA
(“Stylus Rake Angle”) and / or VTA
(“Vertical Tracking Angle”) can be made
right at the spot - at the cartridge.
By doing so, all static balance settings
of the tonearm remain stable. The
tonearm‘s wand also can be kept in full
parallel horizontal position.
An invaluable advantage in all static
balanced tonearms.
!

In the arché you can precisely adjust the
angle of the mounting plate carrying the
cartridge.
This angle can be adjusted in a range
between approx. 85° and 94° - in
relation to the record’s surface.
Making it easy to meet any desired SRA
between 85° and 94°.
First undo the M2 Allen screw in the
front of the arché. This releases the
front buckle clamping the mounting
plate.
One (1) full turn of the screw anti-
clockwise is enough.

Now you can slowly attend the M4
Allen setscrew at the rear top end of the
arché’s head.
By doing so the rear end of the mount-
ing plate will go down and the angle of
the cartridgewill change.
When you have reach the desired posi-
tion, make sure to fasten the M2 Allen
front screw again. The small silver plate
you found among the arché accessories
may help you in returning to a prior set
angle after trying a different position.
You can use the Allen wrench as an
“indicator” - as pictured.
Please note: this is just a “helping” -
it is neither a precise indication nor
an absolute value given here.

Changing the
mounting plate
In the arché you can exchange the
mounting plate.
Thus you can keep more than 1
cartridge in “pre-aligned” state at any
time. Interchanging the mounting plates
is easy and fast - enabling the user to
exchange cartridges within minutes
within (1) arché headshell.
It works as follows: please take the
smallest Allen wrench among the
arché’s accessories.
Now undo the small black M2 setscrews

in each ank of the arché by half a turn
(180°) - anti clockwise.
Next please undo the M2 Allen screw in
the front buckle with (2) full turns.
By applying a careful amount of force,
you will be able to extract the moun-
ting plate from the clamp by pressing it
downwards.
A spare mounting plate now can be
inserted by installing it from the under-
side pressing it upwards.
After doing so, please attend the small
black M2 setscrews in the anks by half
a turn clockwise.
!

You will feel the small ball plungers
engaging with the tiny indention on each
ank of the mounting plate.
These 2 ball plungers incorporated in
the M2 setscrew do create a joint.
This joint is again nullied and out of
any action when fastening the front M2
Allen screw closing the buckle.
The small balls creating the joint are
then pressed back into the setscrew.

By rmly clamping the mounting plate
on both anks with the build-in buckle,
we reach an optimized dampening effect
in the whole headshell assembly.

Mountingplate(s)
The exchangable and adjustable moun-
ting plate of the arché is available in 2
versions:
- “standard” with 5mm thickness
- “extra” with 8 mm thickness -
suitable for small body cartridges
to allow for extra “oor clearance”.
Resulting in wider adjustability with
cartridges featuring a short cantilever or
a small body.

Headshell-leads
The arché comes with OFC-headshell
leads.
As an instant upgrade and option we do
offer special silver litzwire headshell
leads to maximize signal transfer from
the cartridge: the aggelos pure silverlitz-
headshell leads.
These are the very best leads to use if
you want the best possible
The aggelos headshell leads are
available separately.
Please ask your dealer for details.
aggelos headshell leads

designed, manufactured and
assembled in Bavaria / Germany.
www.acoustical-systems.com
Email: [e-mail]