Skewed cantilever

Rnm4,

When checking/adjusting cartridge alignment, always:

1) set VTF to where you'd normally play the cartridge,
2) set VTA to where you'd normally play the cartridge and,
3) disengage anti-skating (ie, set it to zero).

Failure to do the above can lead to inaccurate results.

For inspection, try cueing the stylus down onto a mirror instead of an LP. Things will be easier to see. Then use your protractor to align the cantilever, not the cartridge body, as Stefanl said.

You may be able to adjust for a twisted cantilever. Some tonearms have an azimuth adjustment, some don't. Check your tonearm's manual or let us know which arm you're using.

If your arm has no azimuth adjustment it's still possible to fiddle azimuth a bit using the shim technique shown on Wally's site:

http://www.simplyblack.net/WVC/Technical_F_wally.htm

Scroll down to the fourth photo for his clever method. Unfortunately, putting shims between cartridge and headshell can impair their coupling. This could affect sound in negative ways, so it's not a perfect solution.

If this cartridge is new, I'd ask the dealer for a replacement. Vinyl damage is not very likely unless the skew is extreme, but sonic damage beyond your ability to adjust it away is very likely indeed.

Unless the tonearm bearings are REALLY bad, insufficient or even zero anti-skate is unlikely to skew a cantilever or suspension. Unless there's meaningful resistance from the arm, the whole affair will simply glide along following the pull from the stylus.

OTOH, anti-skate set too high could skew a cantilever to the left (inward). In this case the resistance of the stylus in the groove counters the (excessive) outward pull on the arm. This tension would be absorbed by the suspension in the cartridge, which could eventually take a set.