Cartridge alignment - Goldmund T5 tangential arm ?


Hello - I have a Goldmund Studioetta Turntable, with a stock Goldmund T5 tangential arm - does anybody know if there is an alignment tool, or any other tool, that may assist me in installing a new cartridge - it would seem to be a simple enough installation, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. thanks.
dbamac

Showing 5 responses by nsgarch

Albert, when you said:

"For tangential arms like yours, overhang is achieved when the stylus is set exactly on "that" line all the way across the record."

I presume it was with the understanding that you meant no overhang.

In my three different tangential arm experiences, the cartridge was mounted on the arm so that the stylus lined up with the center of the platter spindle. It would not make any geometric sense for the stylus to overhang the spindle. Doing so would create tracking error all the way across the record! Overhang only applies to offset pivoting arms so they can achieve two points of tangency across the record instead of one -- a whole different kettle of geometric fish, unless I've been missing something for the last 45 years?

Go to this page at the Vinyl Engine:

http://www.vinylengine.com/library.php?make=Goldmund

Click on the T-5 arm manual, and then download the PDF file for the T-5 instruction manual. On page 8 it makes it very clear that the stylus must pass directly over the center of the spindle.

PS: The T-5 is a PITA to keep in adjustment and from what I hear, not that great sonically (unlike the Reference T-3.) I bought an SME V with my Studietto, and never looked back.
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OK Albert. We're talking about two different things. You are talking about how to ADJUST the overhang, and I'm talking about the AMOUNT of overhang which, in the case of tangential arms, is zero.

I'm not sure exactly what dbamac meant saying "I'd rather err on the side of caution" (except in handling the cartridge ;--), but I'm sure the T-5 instruction manual I referenced will clear up any questions.
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Thanks Albert, as you know, I was once a young photog. Now I'm neither young nor a photog. In fact, I'm considering letting audio go as well -- reluctantly -- but I have seen too many beautiful systems fall into disuse and disrepair by their aging (or suddenly deceased) audiophile owners and then be disposed or even destroyed by unsophisticated or disinterested friends and heirs.

"Great art is also knowing when to stop . . . . ."
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aj - you could check the vinyl asylum link I posted above -- it seems like a pretty good instruction manual although I haven't read the whole thing ;--)
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