Arm alignment is a delicate art that can unlock the full potential of a vinyl system, provided that all parameters are adjusted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is based on precise and carefully calibrated steps: balancing, adjusting the tracking force, setting the horizontal and vertical angles, azimuth, and anti-skating.
Start by preparing your tools: a template (protractor), precision scales (for setting VTF), a spirit level, and, if necessary, a small mirror for checking azimuth.
First, balance the tonearm: with the anti-skating removed and the tonearm raised, move the counterweight until it starts to “hang” horizontally — this is the zero point.
Then turn the scale to “0” and set the manufacturer’s recommended tracking force, for example, 1.5–2.5 g, using digital scales or the built-in scale. It is important to note that insufficient pressure is more dangerous than excessive pressure, as a tracking force of less than 1 g can cause more damage to the record.
Next, check the horizontal angle (overhang) using the template: lower the needle onto the outer and inner points on the template, align the cartridge body with the lines on the template, and slightly loosen the screws for fine adjustment. This eliminates tracking error and distortion.
Vertical angle (VTA/SRA) adjustment: the tonearm must be strictly parallel to the vinyl surface. By raising or lowering it by 0.5–1 mm, you adjust the balance of brightness and warmth of the sound. As a rule, the ideal sound is achieved after a few small adjustments, when the soundstage sounds deep and balanced.
Azimuth is adjusted last — it is responsible for channel equality. It is checked using a small mirror: the cantilever of the needle and its reflection should form a single vertical line. If the tonearm allows, the screws are slightly loosened, the tilt is adjusted, and then they are tightly fixed.
In the final stage, anti-skating is turned on, correlating it with the tracking force: the value is set to be the same as the VTF, and the absence of needle offset is checked on a special test record or with a cartridge with a test tone.
It is important to do everything calmly — the setup can take a couple of hours, especially when you are striving for high quality . But the result is worth the wait: thanks to precise balancing, angle adjustment, and anti-skating, you will get a clear stereo image, minimal distortion, and a clean soundstage, and the records and needle themselves will last much longer.