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Cartridge Alignment

After making a maple plinth for my Thorens TD 145, I've purchased a Grado low output Statement Sonata 1 mono and am anticipating that it will arrive soon. Anyhow, I'm trying to mount this onto a TP-16 MK 1 and as cheaply as possible (with good results). My record collection is mostly 1958-ish LP's so I recently purchased a mono test record of the same vintage from Discogs.
I also bought a small ceramic anti-static/anti-magnetic screw driver and a digital stylus force gauge. I have instructions that tell me that I need to have a pair of tweezers. And I printed out a paper templet (including instructions) for the TP-16 that includes Baerwald, Stevenson, Loefgren and Manufacturers specs. I've currently have that taped onto a record.
Any advice is welcome, especially where it pertains to the Thorens TD 145 (1974 vintage).
Best,
GF
goofyfoot
riffer
362 posts
 
I recommend the Mint as well.

That being said, vinyl engine has some free downloadable protractors for the Thorens on their site. I'm not sure exactly were though.
goofyfoot OP
451 posts
 
The Mint is just outside of my range due to repairing a Quad ESL. I thought initially that I could purchase a Dr. Feickert protractor but that was before I arched a speaker panel.
I've read in many places that the Geodisc just roughed in the null points but doesn't have it right on. Any thoughts about this?
billstevenson
167 posts
 
I believe that your Grado mono cartridge will have a conical stylus. If my assumption is correct, cartridge alignment is a non-issue for you, as in it doesn't matter at all. This is because the perfectly round cross sectional profile of a cone will sit in the grove symmetrically at all points along the arc of contact between the stylus and the record. Put another way a conical stylus is always "aligned" in the record groove. Cartridge alignment becomes critical if the stylus is elliptical or a more complex shape. Alignment is only achieved at two points along the arc of contact and optimizing (or minimizing) the error at other points is what alignment is all about. The MintLP alignment gauge is superior to all others because it is the only one on the market at any price that addresses the problem of parallax. It is set up for the Stevenson algorithm, however, which may or may not be the one you want. I like it and strongly recommend the MintLP. But again, it is doubtful you will need it.
goofyfoot OP
451 posts
 
I received news that I'm getting a Statement Sonata 2 Mono as they are now making Series 2 cartridges but here are the specs for the series 1 stereo.

Grado Spec's,

Frequency Response: 10Hz - 60kHz
Principal: MI
Channel Separation at 1KHz: 40dB
Input Load: 47K
Output: 0.5mV
Recommended Tracking Force: 1.5Gms
Stylus Type: Elliptical
Inductance: 2mH
Resistance: 2Ω
Compliance CUs: 20
Stylus Replacement: Factory
Mounting: Standard
Weight: 6.5g
Warranty: 1 year

I found a Thoren's TP 16 MK 1 template online as a PDF and it is thorough, so I'll likely try it first. Here's a view;

https://audiomarkoni.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/thorens-red-protractor.pdf
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cleeds
2,065 posts
 
09-22-15: Billstevenson
... The MintLP alignment gauge is superior to all others because it is the only one on the market at any price that addresses the problem of parallax. It is set up for the Stevenson algorithm, however, which may or may not be the one you want.

The WallyTracktor also corrects for parallax:
http://veteranhifi.se/WVC/tools/tractor.htm

He'll make them in any alignment you like!
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