Galibier Design Serac User manual

Galibier Design LLC
Installation Manual
(includes instructions for Triplanar Tonearm)
Available online at:
http://www.galibierdesign.com/images/assembly_manual_01.pdf

Table of Contents
1Introduction................................................................................ 1
2Preparation and Unpacking ...................................................... 1
2.1 Preparation:.....................................................................................................1
2.2 Unpacking and Organizing the Components....................................................2
2.2.1 Unpacking....................................................................................................2
2.2.2 Organize the Components According to the Assembly Steps.......................2
3Installing the Bearing and Platter............................................. 4
3.1 Install the Brass Bearing Body: ........................................................................4
3.2 Install the Ground Wire on the Bearing ............................................................4
3.3 Install the Bearing Spindle ...............................................................................5
3.4 Install the Platter & Seat the Bearing ...............................................................6
4Fitting the Belt and Installing the Motor Pod........................... 7
4.1 Fit the Belt .......................................................................................................7
4.1.1 Position the Motor Pod.................................................................................7
4.1.2 Fit the Belt (preliminary)...............................................................................8
4.1.3 Fine Tuning Belt Position .............................................................................8
4.2 Set Final Belt Tension and Motor Speed..........................................................9
5Armboard, Arm, and Cartridge Installation and Setup: ........ 12
5.1 Sample Installation – Triplanar Tonearm........................................................12
5.2 Arm and Armboard installation.......................................................................12
5.2.1 Mount the Armboard to the Turntable Base................................................13
5.2.2 Mount the Tonearm....................................................................................14
5.2.3 Orient the Tonearm’s “Parked” Position. ....................................................14
5.2.4 Reset the Pivot to Spindle Distance. ..........................................................15
5.2.5 Verify the tonearm's orientation when locked in the arm rest......................15
5.3 Mount the cartridge........................................................................................15
5.4 Remaining Adjustments.................................................................................16
5.4.1 Triplanar.....................................................................................................16
5.4.2 Schröder ....................................................................................................16
6Cleaning and Maintenance...................................................... 18
6.1 Cleaning ........................................................................................................18
6.1.1 Aluminum Parts..........................................................................................18

6.1.2 Graphite / TPI Platter Surface....................................................................18
6.1.3 Serac Platter (PVC) ...................................................................................18
6.1.4 Serac (Painted Base).................................................................................18
6.2 Maintenance ..................................................................................................18
6.2.1 Lubrication .................................................................................................18
7Frequently Asked Questions .................................................. 19

1
1 Introduction
This manual covers all three Galibier models:
Serac
Gavia
Stelvio
The Serac assembly and packing differs slightly from the Gavia and Stelvio.
These differences will be highlighted.
In the US and Canada, the Gavia and Stelvio are delivered in extra-duty
cardboard cartons with encased in laser cut, high density foam. A similar
packing process has been designed for the lower mass Serac.
If your turntable is delivered outside of the US and Canada, your Gavia and
Stelvio will arrive in a single crate containing 3 inner cartons.
We are still working on an overseas shipping solution for Seracs.
2 Preparation and Unpacking
On more than one occasion, we’ve been told that the most daunting task involves
unpacking your Galibier. We take great pride in carefully preparing your Galibier
for its journey from Colorado to your listening room.
Take a few moments to review this preparation section and packing list in order
to familiarize yourself with the components and their names.
2.1 Preparation:
You will need to supply the following tools and materials:
Philips head screwdriver
A metric ruler long enough to measure your tonearm's pivot to spindle
distance. A 12” / 300mm ruler will suffice.
Alternatively, you may use an English ruler - knowing that there are 25.4mm
to the inch.
Paper towels
Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
A soft suface (blanket, towel, etc.) to lay the turntable base upside down to
attach the ground wire to the underside of the bearing.
Extension cord for charging the battery
Your own cartridge setup tools (tracking force scale supplied)
All other tools and materials are supplied with your turntable (see packing list,
below).

2
2.2 Unpacking and Organizing the Components
2.2.1 Unpacking
“Top off” the Battery Charge:
Immediately after unpacking Box #3, top off the battery charge. Your battery
shipped in a fully charged state. Strictly speaking, this will not be necessary.
North America: Plug the female end of a standard (2 prong) extension cord into
the battery and the other end into a 115 VAC outlet. Follow the instructions in
the charger’s manual and use the lowest charging rate available (always a good
idea with any battery.
Unpacking Hints - North America (cartons):
This section to be completed later.
Unpacking Hints - Overseas (crate/cartons):
This section to be completed later.
2.2.2 Organize the Components According to the Assembly Steps
The major components (base, platter, motor pod) are wrapped in plastic stretch
wrap to protect their finish from fine scratches during transport.
We advise leaving this stretch wrap in place on the turntable base until after you
have installed the brass bearing housing and have attached the ground wire to
the underside of the bearing.
This last operation requires turning the turntable base upside down.
Assembly
Step Part Box # Inner Box
Platter Platter 1 n/a
Base / Bearing Turntable Base
Tip toes 2 n/a
Base / Bearing Bearing
Ground wire 3 8” x 4” x 4”
Base / Bearing Strap Wrench
Bearing oil 3 n/a
Motor Drive Motor Pod
Umbilical Cord
Tip Toes
3 9” x 9” x 6”

3
Assembly
Step Part Box # Inner Box
Motor Drive Battery 3 n/a
Motor Drive Belts 3 Small, flat box
Armboard Armboard Assembly **
Front pillar ** 3 8” x 5” x 4”
Tools, etc. Cotton gloves
Platter removal - nylon strap
Hex wrench (for ground wire)
5/16" Hex Wrench (armboard)
Tracking force scale
Strobe Disk **
Cartridge Protractor **
Microfiber cleaning cloth
3 n/a
Arm Mounting Hardware
The following parts are packed in an 8” x 5” x 4” box:
Gavia and Serac Armboard:
7/8” tall armboard
3/8" (1.75” long) stainless steel socket head pivot/fixing bolt and washer
1/2” tall cylindrical pillar
Stelvio Armboard:
1.400” tall armboard with integral damping cylinder
3/8" (1.75” long) stainless steel socket head pivot/fixing bolt and washer
Thin, stainless steel washer (2” diameter)
Front Pillar (all single tonearm turntables):
Front cylindrical pillar (1.5” tall)
3/8" (1.75” long) stainless steel socket head fixing bolt
Strobe Disk:
We are currently negotiating with a supplier for a speed strobe and strobe disk. This
will become available in the latter part of 2006.
Cartridge Protractors:
These are supplied with some tonearms we sell. Currently, Schröder and Triplanar
Tonearms are delivered with protractors.

4
3 Installing the Bearing and Platter
Parts, tools, and materials for this step:
Turntable base
Bearing
Strap Wrench (supplied)
Ground Wire
Small hex key to tighten bearing ground wire
Cotton gloves
Blanket / towel to rest turntable base on
Bearing Oil
Paper towels
Isopropyl alcohol
Notes:
The black, Delrin thrust plate has been installed into the bearing body.
Your turntable bearing has been run-in for 48 hours, so the thrust plate has been
broken in. You'll note the formation of a small dimple in the center of the thrust
surface.
3.1 Install the Brass Bearing Body:
Note: after you install the bearing body, you will need access to the underside of
the turntable to install and tighten the ground wire.
Set the turntable base on a convenient work area. Your turntable stand is fine
for this purpose
Carefully cut away the stretch wrap from area around the bearing hole on the
top side of the turntable base. Leave the remainder on the base to protect
the base from handling until after you have installed the ground wire.
Remove the stainless bearing spindle from the brass body and place it in a
safe place, on a paper towel.
Thread the brass body into the turntable base by hand.
Once it fits snugly against the base, use the supplied strap wrench to tighten
it further. You do not need to apply excessive force. A moderate tug - 10-20
pounds of pull - is all that is necessary.
3.2 Install the Ground Wire on the Bearing
Rest the base upside down on a protective towel, blanket or other soft
surface, and attach the ground wire to the threaded hole in the bearing. The
10-32 socket head bolt and washer are taped to the correct ring terminal.
Return the base to your turntable stand.

5
3.3 Install the Bearing Spindle
Because of the close tolerances in the bearing, both the stainless bearing
spindle and the top journal of the brass bearing housing are assembled dry -
with NO lubricant on their surfaces.
This allows trapped air to escape as the spindle seats into the bearing housing.
With normal care, there is no danger of scoring or galling the surfaces.
Add oil to the bearing. Note the ledge about .100" wide (2.5mm) inside the
bearing housing.
This ledge is 1.750" (45mm) from the top of the bearing.
Add oil so that the oil just barely covers this ledge.
If you add a bit too much it will do no harm (minor spillage on the top of the
turntable), but try to cover the ledge with a thin film.
This provides enough oil to fill the small reservoir at the bearing top (the small
rebate on the top surface of the brass housing).
Moisten a paper towel with alcohol and wipe off all oil from:
i. The top journal in the brass bearing housing. This is the surface which
begins at the top of the bearing, extending downward for .750" (19mm)
ii. The stainless bearing spindle
Insert the bearing spindle.
It will meet with resistance as it contacts the oil.
Exert moderate downward pressure on the bearing by pressing the wide
spindle flange with your palms.
The object is to engage the stainless spindle into this lower journal.
The spindle needs to penetrate below the oil level by perhaps 1/8” (3mm).
After you do this, you may install the platter and can spin it to seat the
bearing fully (next section).
The thin oil we specify, in addition to providing superior musical dynamics
than thick oil does, allows for easy seating for a bearing with such fine
tolerances.
Proceed to the next step - to install the platter and fully seat the bearing.

6
3.4 Install the Platter & Seat the Bearing
Fit the platter onto the bearing spindle
Begin the final bearing seating process by spinning the platter manually.
When completely seated, the space between the bottom of the platter and the
top of the turntable base is .100” (just a bit less than 1/8” or about 2.5mm) -
If you choose, you may continue spinning the platter manually in order to
complete the bearing seating process.
Alternatively, the bearing will settle on its own (without the platter spinning) if you
leave it sitting for perhaps half an hour. This can take as little as 5 minutes -
depending on room temperature and the temperature of the parts.
Wait until the bearing is fully seated before proceeding to the next step
(fitting the belt and installing the motor pod).

7
4 Fitting the Belt and Installing the Motor Pod
Parts required for this step:
Motor pod
Drive belt(s)
Battery power umbilical cord
Battery
Note:
Belts are normally installed after the tonearm has been installed and the cartridge
has been mounted.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the process before mounting
your cartridge.
There is a small learning curve involved in fitting and adjusting the belt and
getting it to track properly.
You will be learning a new trick which will quickly become second nature.
It's best to leave vulnerable parts out of potential harm's way the first time you
perform this operation.
4.1 Fit the Belt
Overview
The step involves positioning the belt so that it tracks on the motor pulley.
This step is the only counter-intuitive part of getting your turntable running
optimally.
As you work through this for the first time, you will quickly learn that the belt's
position on the platter determines whether it will track the pulley or run off of it.
The belt's overall rigidity contributes to the sound of the turntable but also means
that attention must be paid to locating it - unlike rubber belts whose only virtue is
that they can be simply installed.
4.1.1 Position the Motor Pod
Place the motor pod near the left rear of your turntable stand. Face the DC
power inlet and grounding lug toward the rear (at 12 o’clock).
The 3-position switch (33-OFF-45) will then be located toward the front of the
shelf and rotated clockwise by 45 degrees from the 6 o’clock position - at
about 7:30 o’clock (angled to the left of center).
Plug the umbilical cord into the DC jack on the rear of the motor pod. Do
NOT plug the umbilical into the battery yet.

8
Set the 3-position switch (33-OFF-45) to its OFF position (middle position).
4.1.2 Fit the Belt (preliminary)
Fit a belt around the platter and the motor pulley. Locate the belt slightly
above the center of the non-grooved section of the platter and parallel to the
indexing grooves on its side wall.
Slowly move the motor pod to exert enough tension on the belt to hold it in
place.
You can achieve very close to the ideal tension by observing the distance
that the belt deflects with light pressure from your finger.
i. Press on the belt at the midpoint between the motor pulley and where the
belt releases from the platter.
ii. A gram or two of side force should deflect the belt from 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6-
12mm).
The motor’s bushing is robust and will tolerate a large error. In the next
section you will learn how to easily and accurately set a light tension - a
setting which results in optimum motor bushing health as well as the best
sonics.
4.1.3 Fine Tuning Belt Position
Overview
You will find that adjusting the belt position up and down on the platter involves
“working” the belt with your fingertips along the entire circumference of the platter
which contacts the belt (over half the platter’s circumference).
This is why we recommend delaying your first cartridge mount until after you are
familiar with the process.
Procedure
Position the belt so that it is level with the motor pulley while remaining
parallel to the grooved index lines on the platter.
As you re-position the belt, you may need to re-tension it by moving the motor
pod.
.Once the belt appears to be the same height as the pulley, re-tension it
(moving the motor pod), as noted above.
Slowly rotate the platter by hand (1/4 of a turn or less, at first) and observe
the position of the belt on both the platter and the pulley.
The belt starts to "walk off” the top of the pulley:
i. Stop rotating the platter and reverse its rotation to settle the belt back
on the pulley.
ii. Gently slide the belt downward - along the entire platter area that the
belt contacts.

9
iii. Rotate again and observe how the belt tracks
The belt starts to “walk off” the bottom of the pulley:
i. Stop rotating the platter and reverse its rotation to settle the belt back
on the pulley.
ii. Gently slide the belt upward - along the entire platter area that the belt
contacts.
iii. Rotate again and observe how the belt tracks
•After a few tries, the belt will track the pulley over several complete
revolutions of the platter.
Reset the belt tension as described above.
•Once you have been able to manually rotate the platter 2 or 3 revolutions with
the belt tracking on the pulley, you are ready to plug the umbilical cord into
the battery and turn the motor on to spin the platter.
4.2 Set Final Belt Tension and Motor Speed
Overview
An understanding of the principles involved will guide you towards not only an
understanding, but an appreciation of the elegance of this simple solution.
The goal of setting belt tension is to balance two opposing constraints:
Minimizing side load on the motor bearing
Maximizing the grip that the belt has on both the pulley as well as the
platter
Excessive belt tension reduces dynamics - even though it maximizes the belt's
grip on the pulley and platter.
Conversely, too loose a belt tension is friendly to the motor bushing but results in
too much belt slippage.
An optimum tension is easy to set if you follow the simple steps described in the
three alternate methods below:
Using a strobe disk to measure the speed, adjust the pot adjacent to the blue
LED so that the platter turns at 33 rpm.
Switch and LED Note:
The speed trim spot is selected by the 3 position 33-OFF-45 switch.
Turning it in one direction activates the pot and lights the LED adjacent to it.

10
In these instructions, we refer to the “right” switch position as lighting the blue
LED and activating its adjacent trim pot.
We set the “blue” position to 33 and the “red” position to 45.
If you prefer, you may reverse these speed assignments.
General
Verify that the belt is tracking correctly on the pulley and platter. If it is
not, align it per the steps described in the previous sections.
Place the Anvil on the record spindle along with your strobe disk of
choice.
Plug the controller umbilical cord into the battery, turn the switch on the
motor pod to the right (the blue LED will light), and give the platter a
helping push-start.
Set the speed to 33 rpm as verified by your strobe disk
Method 1 -Setting belt tension by observing the platter speed:
Switch the motor off and stop the platter.
Carefully move the motor pod to slightly tension the belt.
Start the motor again and use your strobe disk to observe whether the platter
speeds up or slows down.
If the platter speeds up, repeat this process (turn off motor, stop platter,
increase tension) and restart the motor - observing whether the platter speed
has sped up or slowed down.
If the platter slows down, follow the above procedure, but reduce the belt
tension instead.
You will likely overshoot the "sweet spot" and have to return to it. It's not
critical to be exactly "spot on" with this setting, but rather to find the general
area where the platter spins the fastest
At this point, you should find that the belt tension is at a point where it is
barely tighter than the point at which it has observable flutter.
Don't loosen the tension to this flutter point, although we have observed good
speed stability with Mylar belts set so loose as to flutter slightly.
Method 2 - Setting belt tension by the “flutter” method:
This method works well with our supplied Mylar belts. It is not as predictable
when using VHS tape belts.
Using the method described above (adjusting the tension with the motor
switched off and the platter stopped), set the tension to just barely eliminate
belt flutter.
Method 3 - Setting belt tension by direct measurement:
After you’ve installed the belt once or twice, you will likely use this method.

11
You will have developed a feel for 1 to 2 grams of side force, especially since you
are continually handling a tonearm that set to a tracking force in this range.
This method works well with both our supplied Mylar belts as well as with VHS
tape belts.
Measure the belt deflection as mentioned previously.
i. Press on the belt at the midpoint between the motor pulley and where the
belt releases from the platter.
ii. A gram or two of side force (by “feel”) should deflect the belt from 1/4 to 1/2
inch (6-12mm).
Reset both speeds (33/45):
At this point, the belt tension is correct. Re-set both speeds with your strobe
disk.
Note that your turntable bearing oil will warm up over the course of about a
record side - the same time it takes for your cartridge’s suspension to warm
up.
At this point, you will note that the turntable speeds up ever so slightly. This is
normal.
Re-adjust the speed for a warmed-up condition. We've found that feedback
circuits to control the speed, compromise the overall sonics.
Like the rest of your system, it will sound optimal after a short warm-up.

12
5 Armboard, Arm, and Cartridge Installation and
Setup:
Note - the following steps are copied from our Triplanar Tonearm Mounting
Guide which you can reference directly in the Triplanar section of our website.
In that section you will find both photos and documentation of several popular
cartridges we have used on this tonearm.
The information on the Triplanar can translates to installation of most other
tonearms, with few exceptions:
•Orienting the armboard
•Aligning the tonearm to orient it in its rest position (parked on the arm
rest)
•The physical attachment of the arm to the armboard
Of course, we recommend that you follow your manufacturer's specific mounting
instructions. Contact us for help with your particular tonearm. In general, we will
drill your armboard for your tonearm. There are some cases where we must
have the tonearm in our possession to do so.
Some arms have a mounting plate which must first be installed on the armboard.
These instructions make reference to the Stelvio armboard (the damping cylinder
reference).
The standard armboard has no damping cylinder attached to its under side but its
mounting geometry is identical to the Gavia armboard which comes standard
with both the Gavia and Serac turntables.
5.1 Sample Installation – Triplanar Tonearm
Note that the Schroeder Reference and the Triplanar are unique in one respect.
Both the Triplanar and Schroeder Reference tonearms have mounting centers
which are offset from the tonearm pivot.
This means that when you orient the tonearm in it's rest position (by rotating the
arm about its mounting center), you are changing the pivot to spindle distance.
While the Schroeder Reference mounting differs slightly from the Triplanar, the
principle is the same, and steps outlined below should help guide you through
this orientation procedure.
Most other arms are much simpler in this respect. Once you have set the pivot to
spindle distance by rotating the armboard, you may rotate the tonearm to set its
orientation when parked on the arm rest without affecting the pivot to spindle
distance.
5.2 Arm and Armboard installation
Materials for this step:

13
Metric ruler referenced in the preparation step.
5/16" hex wrench (supplied) for armboard mounting / overhang adjustment
Gavia Armboard (standard with Gavias and Seracs)
Armboard is 7/8” tall
3/8" stainless steel socket head fixing/pivot bolt and washer
Gavia Armboard
Armboard spacing pillar (1/2" tall disk)
Stelvio Armboard (standard with Stelvio turntable and optional for other
models)
Armboard is 1.400” tall with damping cylinder bolted to its underside
3/8" stainless steel socket head fixing/pivot bolt and washer
Stelvio Armboard
2" stainless washer
Your board will have been drilled for your tonearm. This step varies depending
on your tonearm.
Your Triplanar Stelvio armboard will be shipped with the three Triplanar fixing
bolts and washers installed on the armboard. Do not use the longer screws in
the Triplanar hardware kit.
5.2.1 Mount the Armboard to the Turntable Base
Insert the 3/8" stainless pivot bolt and washer into the counterbored hole in
the front of the armboard.
Place the 2" diameter stainless washer (Stelvio armboard) or 1/2” tall spacer
(Gavia armboard) on the turntable base over the rear mounting hole.
Position the armboard onto the base and pass the pivot bolt through the
washer/spacer. Tighten the pivot bolt with the 5/16” hex key.
Leave the bolt loose enough so that you can rotate the armboard in fine
increments. If you've adjusted the pivot bolt tightness correctly, the armboard
should rotate very smoothly
Now is a good time to practice rotating the armboard in small increments - the
sort that would change the pivot to spindle distance by perhaps 1/2 mm.
This will give you a feel for how loose to leave the pivot bolt as well as the
sensitivity to movement of this adjustment - before mounting your cartridge.
If you choose to use alignment method #2 below in order to adjust the
overhang, you will be performing these fine rotations in order to align your
cartridge
Rotate the armboard counterclockwise until the cylindrical damping chamber
is about 1/4” (6 mm) from the turntable base.
This is an approximate starting point
.Measure the pivot to spindle distance to 233.5 mm.

14
The bearing pivot is identified on the flat surface extending to the right of the
VTA tower.
It is the center of the small hex bolt with the straight slotted screw.
Due to its shape, the of the record spindle reflects light and allows for a high
degree of accuracy as far as sighting it vertically to elimintate parallax. when
making this measurement.
You will likely be within 1 or 2 mm of the 233.5 specification and this is fine
for these purposes.
The precise adjustment will be performed with your cartridge protractor.
5.2.2 Mount the Tonearm
The correct length Triplanar mounting screws (along with washers) have been
mounted to your armboard.
The washers should fit between the screw heads and the arm mounting plate - to
protect the surface of the Triplanar’s mounting flange from scratches.
There is a bit of play between the arm mounting screws and the arm mounting
holes. This will permit some fine adjustment of the tonearm's orientation in the
next step.
Leave the screws loose enough to perform this orientation.
Note: You may need to temporarily remove the knurled locking nut on the left
side of the VTA adjustment tower in order to access the left rear mounting screw
with a screwdriver.
Partially tighten this mounting screw along with the other 2 screws.
Restore the knurled locking nut and tighten it to fix the orientation of the tonearm
to the VTA tower.
Note:
Whenever you are:
Playing a record (after adjusting VTA in-play),
Setting the pivot to spindle distance during tonearm mounting
Adjusting the overhang with your protractor,
The VTA tower lock nut must always be locked in place.
When the nut is loosened, the arm is free to rotate about the VTA tower
which changes the pivot to spindle distance along with the overhang.
5.2.3 Orient the Tonearm’s “Parked” Position.
Rotate the tonearm base about its three fixing bolts to perform this fine
adjustment.

15
When the tonearm is locked in its rest position and viewed from the top, the right
side of the arm wand should bisect the front 3/8" socket head pivot bolt on the
armboard.
The right half of the socket head bolt should be visible when viewing it from
above.
This will accomplish two things, when the tonearm is locked in the arm rest:
Permit access to the tightening bolt with the hex wrench (just barely).
Orient the tonearm so that it is oriented from front to back - with the arm
wand centered approximately over the front pillar.
5.2.4 Reset the Pivot to Spindle Distance.
As you oriented the tonearm, you will likely have altered the pivot to spindle
distance.
The 3/8" socket head pivot bolt should still be loose enough to allow the
armboard rotate freely.
Measure the distance from the record spindle to the tonearm bearing pivot (the
small hex nut on top of the arm pillar).
Rotate the armboard until you measure as close to 233.5 mm as is possible.
Again, don't worry about being perfect, because you'll achieve this when adjust
the overhang with your protractor.
5.2.5 Verify the tonearm's orientation when locked in the arm rest
With the above adjustments made, you should find that the tonearm is oriented
nicely, with the headshell roughly centered above the front pillar.
If the orientation doesn't suit you, you can work through the above steps - making
minor adjustments in the rotation of the arm base about its three mounting bolts.
Remember however to allow access to the pivot bolt with the hex wrench when
the tonearm is locked in the arm rest.
In practice, you may have to tilt the hex wrench slightly to insert it into the socket
head.
5.3 Mount the cartridge.
Materials for this step
Tonearm
Cartridge
Your cartridge mounting tools
Tracking force scale (supplied):