MUSIC HALL ikura User manual

music hall
ikura
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
music hall
http://www.musichallaudio.com

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE
You have selected an exceptional turntable. Each component used in the
construction of the music hall ikura was selected to provide you with superior
performance and the highest level of sound reproduction available today. We
know of no turntable that costs as much to produce yet sells for so little. The
precise and elegant design of this turntable makes it easy to install and operate.
Please take a few moments to read over the operating instructions to ensure that
you get the best performance from your turntable and years of trouble-free
service.
SAFETY GUIDELINES
This product is designed and manufactured to strict quality and safety standards.
However, you should be aware of the following installation and operation
precautions:
1. Take heed of warnings and instructions
Read all the instructions before connecting or operating the turntable.
Keep this manual so you can refer to these safety instructions. Heed all
warnings and safety information in these instructions and on the turntable.
Follow all operating instructions.
2. Water and Moisture
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the turntable to
moisture or water. If the turntable is exposed to moisture, immediately disconnect
the power cord from the wall. Take the deck to an authorized music hall service
center for inspection. Do not touch the turntable, power cord, or plug with wet
hands.
3. Object or liquid entry
Do not allow foreign objects or liquids into the unit. If this happens, immediately
disconnect the power cord from the wall and take the unit to an authorized music
hall service center for inspection.
4. Heat
Keep the turntable away from naked flames, radiators, heat registers, stoves, or
any other heat-producing appliances (including amplifiers).
5. Climate
The turntable has been designed for use in moderate climates. Do not attempt to
use below 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) or above 95 degrees
Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

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6. Racks and Stands
Place the turntable on a fixed, level surface strong enough to support its weight.
Do not place it on a moveable cart that could tip over. We recommend only using
stands approved for use with audio equipment. See the SITING section for
further suggestions.
7. Cleaning
Please refer to the MAINTENANCE section for detailed cleaning instructions.
8. Power Sources
Connect the turntable only to a power supply of the type and voltage described in
the operating instructions or specified on the rear panel of the unit.
9. Power-cord protection
Connect the turntable to the power outlet only with the cord supplied. Do not
modify the supplied cable in any way. Do not attempt to defeat grounding and/or
polarization provisions.
Do not use extension cords.
Do not route the power cord where it will be crushed, pinched, bent at severe
angles, exposed to heat, or damaged in any way.
10.Non-use periods
If the deck is to be left unused for a long period of time, the power cord should be
unplugged from the wall outlet and the belt removed.
11.Damage Requiring Service
Stop using the turntable immediately and have it inspected by an authorized
music hall service center whenever:
1. The power supply cord or plug has been damaged.
2. Liquid has been spilled onto the motor or into the bearing well.
3. The turntable has been exposed to rain.
4. The turntable does not operate properly.
5. The turntable has been dropped or damaged.
6. Smoke or any unusual smell is detected from the turntable.

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Parts Inventory and Operation Control Diagram
1. 2 x removable transport screws
2. 1 x stepped motor pulley
3. 1 x drive belt (packaged in parts bag)
4. 1 x sub-platter
5. 1 x platter with felt mat (packaged in bottom of box)
6. 1 x tonearm counterweight (packaged in carton foam) with attached tracking
force scale (6a)
7. 1 x tonearm lift lever/cueing lever
8. 1 x tonearm rest
9. 1 x tonearm
10. 1 x removable dustcover
11. 2 x dustcover alignment knubs
12. 1 x mains wire connected to wall transformer (in a small white box set into
the underside of the packing foam)
13. 1 x audio/phono cable
14. 1 x anti-skating rod
15. 1 x anti-skating weight (packaged inside the parts bag)
16. 1 x anti-skating hanger
17. 1 x belt changing tool (packaged in parts bag)
18. 1 x mains switch
19. 1 x tonearm headshell
20. 1 x motor
21. 3 x adjustable tip-toe cone feet
22. 3 x spike protectors
23. 1 set x audio output connectors and ground screw
24. 1 x wall wart power supply input (female)

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Parts bag includes:
1 x 45 rpm adapter
1 x drive belt (3)
1 x anti-skate weight (15) (tiny weight attached to small piece of fishing line)
1 x belt changing tool (17)
1 x Allen Key to adjust tonearm VTA
1 x audio cable (13)
1 x cartridge alignment guide
1 x instruction manual
1pr. x white gloves
1 x tonearm bearing adjustment tool (no photo – small black plastic tool
packaged in parts bag)
GETTING STARTED
Thank you for purchasing the music hall ikura turntable. Designed and
developed in the USA, the ikura represents a distinct visual and technical design
departure for music hall. For the first time, music hall collaborated with an
outside industrial design firm to develop and complete the project. The
foundation of ikura’s design remains the unique two-piece split-plinth design
originated by music hall and the final product is the result of a dynamic design
partnership between doing and done headed by James Kyroudis and music hall.
The music hall ikura turntable is a 2-speed, belt driven turntable with many
singular features. Starting with music hall’s hallmark two-piece split-plinth
design. The plinths are isolated and separated by three viso-elastic cones.
Three adjustable tip-toe cone feet, a 2-speed dc synchronous motor, power
switch, wiring and electrical parts are all mounted on the bottom plinth while the
critical sound reproducing components; the main bearing, arm and cartridge are
mounted on the top plinth.
The mdf (medium density fiberboard) platter and felt mat sit on a high quality,
stainless steel ball bearing sheathed in Teflon providing fluid and noise-free
operation. The bearing assembly comes pre-charged with lubricant.
The effective length of the tonearm is nine inches. This allows for a very shallow
tracking arc on the record thus reducing distortion and record wear. The tonearm
comes mounted with a high quality moving magnet cartridge and features Swiss
made ABEC 7 stainless steel bearings. Each element of the ikura was carefully
selected to provide you with the highest level of performance and sound quality.
Used properly, the ikura will provide you with years of musical enjoyment.

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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
This manual provides valuable information that will help you get optimum
performance from your system. Please contact your authorized music hall dealer
for any additional clarifications you may require. Save the music hall ikura
shipping carton and all enclosed packing material for future use. Shipping
or moving the ikura in anything other than the original packing material may result
in severe damage that is not covered by the warranty. Be sure to keep the
original sales receipt; it is your best record of the date of purchase, which you will
need in the event warranty service is required.
SET-UP
The music hall ikura is supplied partially disassembled and carefully packaged for
safe transport. To assemble the turntable, please follow the instructions carefully.
1. Clear a level (use a spirit level) and suitable workspace to assemble the
turntable. This may be the final playing location.
2. Remove the turntable and all parts from the carton.
3. Remove the 2 transport screws (1) from the turntable and save for future use.
4. Level the turntable by adjusting the feet (21).
5. Install the drive belt (3) for 33⅓rpm play. Loop the belt around the smaller
diameter rim of the stepped motor pulley (2) and around the rim of the sub-
platter (4). (For 45rpm play, use the large diameter rim of the motor pulley).
6. Center the platter (5) over the spindle of the sub-platter (4) and lower it until it
rests securely on the sub-platter (4).
7. Place the counterweight (6) onto the tonearm (9). To do this, position yourself
in front of the turntable. Hold the counterweight (6) so that the numbers are
nearer you. Carefully, screw the counterweight (6) counterclockwise onto the
back of the tonearm (9). Position it about midway on the post.
8. Remove the tonearm-locking strap or twist-tie. Save it for future use.

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9. Make sure the tonearm (9) is in the tonearm rest (8). Carefully, remove the
stylus guard if fitted (the piece of clear plastic on the bottom of the cartridge).
It slips off of the cartridge by pulling it towards you in a slight downward
motion. Save it for future use.
10.You will now set the cartridge tracking force. The ikura comes complete with
a factory-installed cartridge. We recommend a tracking force of 1.8g. Please
note; the tracking force scale (6a) on the counterweight (6) has no decimal
point. 10 on the tracking force scale (6a) is actually 1.0 g. 15 is actually 1.5g,
etc. 1.8g is 18g on the scale (6a). To set the tracking force you must first
balance (zero) the tonearm (9).
The objective of balancing or zeroing the tonearm is to get the tonearm to
float parallel to the platter.
First, lower the cueing lever (7).
Using your left hand, lift, position, and hold the tonearm (9) between the
tonearm rest (8) and the platter (5). To avoid damage to the cartridge, be
careful not to allow the cartridge to contact the plinth (the turntable base).
With your free hand, turn the counterweight counterclockwise or clockwise
until the tonearm floats freely, without the aid of your hand, in mid-air and
parallel to the platter. Don't worry about the number on the tracking force
scale, you will soon calibrate and set it properly. Once you have balanced the
tonearm, return it to the tonearm rest.
You are now going to set the ring with numbers on the counterweight to zero.
This is called the tracking force scale.
The tracking force scale (6a) turns independently of the counterweight.
IMPORTANT
With your right hand hold the rear part of the counterweight to make
sure that it does not move.
With your left hand, lightly grip and turn the tracking force scale until the
number zero is in the twelve o' clock position (dead center on top of the
counterweight).
The tonearm is now zeroed. Check it, by once again floating the tonearm
between the tonearm rest and the platter. If the tonearm doesn’t float parallel
to the platter at zero, return to the previous steps and make the necessary
adjustments.
Return the tonearm to the tonearm rest.

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IMPORTANT
Do not touch the tracking force scale again.
Turn the counterweight counterclockwise with your right hand.
You will notice that the tracking force scale will also turn.
Turn it through numbers 5, 10, 15 to the position centered at 18 (1.8g) on the
scale). The correct tracking force has now been set.
Every arm and cartridge combination has an optimum tracking force. This
can easily be set by ear. Increments of 0.1g can produce significant
differences. Once the cartridge has run-in (usually about 24 -50 hours of
playing time) feel free to experiment with a slightly higher or lower tracking
force and pick the one you prefer.
11. Locate the anti-skating weight (15). You will notice a small fishing line
attached to the anti-skating weight (15). Slip the looped end of the fishing line
over the anti-skating rod (14) and into notch number 2 (See diagram below).
Lift the anti-skating weight (15) over the anti-skating hanger (16) and feed the
fishing string through the looped end of the anti-skating hanger (16). The
anti-skating weight (15) should now be dangling in free space to the left side
of the hanger. If it is not dangling, simply bend the anti-skating hanger (16)
by pushing it away from the tonearm pillar with your finger.
12.Position the dust cover (10) over the dustcover alignment knubs (11) and onto
the knubs. The back of the dustcover will rest over top of them. The
dustcover is removable. We recommend removing it during vinyl play.
Return it to the turntable when not in play.
NOTE
If you are substituting another cartridge for the supplied cartridge, you may need
to make the following further adjustments to the tonearm (9) and cartridge:
*If you are a novice, music hall recommends getting professional help*

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All cartridges with half inch mounting holes can be fitted. Leaving the stylus guard
on, fit the cartridge to the head shell (19) using the screws supplied with the
cartridge by passing one screw through each slot in the finger lift and the head
shell (19). Snug the nuts.
Connect the tonearm (9) wires to the cartridge pins as follows:
white left channel positive (L+)
red right channel pos. (R+)
green right channel return (R -)
blue left channel return (L -)
To achieve the best sound reproduction, the cartridge must be positioned
precisely in the head shell. To do this, fit the tangency guide (you'll find this in
the parts bag. It's a white rectangular piece of cardboard or plastic with black
lines) over the spindle at point 'A’ and onto the platter, black lines side up (See
diagram below). Remove the stylus guard. Move the tonearm (9) (adjusted for
the correct tracking force of your cartridge) to the pattern. When the stylus tip of
the cartridge is at points the two center points, the front of the cartridge should be
parallel to the lines on the pattern. If necessary, slide the cartridge back and
forth until the stylus tip is positioned correctly. Tighten the cartridge mounting
screws.
VTA Adjustment: The VTA for the installed cartridge has been properly set at
the factory. To adjust the VTA for other cartridges, lay a record on the platter (5).
Slacken the horizontal adjustment screws (two Allen screws located near the
plinth on the back of the tonearm pillar) with the Allen Key provided.
IMPORTANT
Do not loosen the vertical screws that hold the anti skate arm to the base.
Move the tonearm (9) up or down until, when viewed from the side, it is parallel to
the record surface when the tonearm is placed in the middle of the playing
surface on a non-spinning record. Tighten the horizontal adjustment screws.
VTA like Tracking Force can also be set by ear. Feel free to experiment with
VTA positions slightly above or below parallel and choose the position you prefer.
If you have any further questions regarding the adjustment of your turntable,
please contact your music hall dealer.