Arm-Rest Magnets
In the rest position the thrust box rests against
three 6mm grub screws in the bias rig. Two of
these have embedded magnets which capture
the thrust box, whereas the uppermost screw
relies on the arm’s downforce for contact, and
sets the rest level of the arm. They can be
advanced or withdrawn with an Allen key to
achieve a stable arm-rest position. Ideally both
rest magnets will make contact with the thrust
box when the arm is resting.
Alignment
A protractor is included to establish optimal
spindle-to-pivot distance, cartridge overhang
and null point alignment.
If it is difficult to set these distances optimally
on your turntable, you can slightly adjust
spindle-to-pivot distance by withdrawing or
extending both the pivot bolt and hoist pipe in
equal measure. If this is done, the pillar will no
longer conserve geometry when it is rotated in
the base, in which case configurations involving
large rotations of the arm pillar will slightly
alter the spindle-to-pivot distance. Please use
your own geometry calculators as the broad
subject of arm geometry optimisation is capable
of lengthy analysis.
SET-UP & FINE-TUNING
As with other tone arms, inaccurate
configuration can produce poor results,
whereas precise tuning will enable you to get
the best from your records. Please ensure that
your turntable is level before fine-tuning.
As the suspension settles in, it is worth
regularly checking bias, suspension height, lean
(‘azimuth’) and adjusting the arm’s geometry to
ensure that all are optimal.
Downforce & Inertia
Adjusting the inertia to suit the cartridge
suspension is important. Good results can be
achieved by trial and error, or by calculation.
Set downforce and inertia using the
counterweights which attach magnetically to
the underside of the thrust box, and the mass
adaptor which sits across the arm between the
cartridge and pivot. The further both weights
are from the pivot, the higher will be the arm’s
inertia (‘effective mass’). High compliance
cartridges work better with low inertia, whereas
low compliance cartridges work better with
higher inertia. With long arms and heavy
cartridges it may be necessary to place an
additional counterweight inside the thrust box.
Downforce Scale Use
Place the supplied downforce scale on the
platter. The coin-sized rebates accommodate a
UK penny, a US cent or a Euro centime as the
balancing weight. The dimples represent 1/10
gram increments in the range 1.2g - 4g. Adjust
the counter-weight until the scale balances with
your stylus resting in the dimple corresponding
to your desired downforce.
