Great video. Just one little detail. You’ll need to check the tracking force again you moved the cartridge when you adjusted the overhang.

Two important details missing here: first, when using the protractor, be sure the needle sets on the center line before checking and setting the cartridge angle in each of the two positions, and second, and this was a MAJOR BLUNDER, once the cartridge has been aligned using the protractor, as is often the case, the cartridge had to be shifted forwards or rearwards on the tonearm, and this changed the stylus pressure and so this needs to be set at the end, and did not need to be done beforehand except for a rough setting just to get the tonearm to fall to the platter for setting the cartridge angle with the protractor. Looks like another viewer noted this below.

Good info, great help. I too bought the 540 ML and it sounds great. First play is Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush Real Live Vol 1. I choose to put the nuts under the shell head with the screw heads on top, looks great. Thanks Crutchfield and Philip.

That is the first tonearm that I have seen where the cartridge tags can be removed and replaced by hand. Normally the cartridge is unscrewed from the headshell first as that way the cartridge tags are more accessible and therefore more easily removed with the benefit of less pressure on the tonearm. Cartridge tracking weight and bias are the very last things to be done once everything is correctly positioned and torqued. You almost nearly got it right.

This was the most important hands on video with the Ultradeck I’ve seen for beginners. Thank you 🙏🏾

@crutchfield

4 ай бұрын

You're welcome, Jonathan. Are you using a Mobile Fidelity UltraDeck? How are you liking it?

Okay I’m 0:29 seconds into this video and have decided I’m going to have a professional change mine.

Great video on how to install a cartridge. The illustrations for the overhang made it super easy. Thanks!

Finally a good explanation of stylus overhang and how to adjust it

@kasenahmir3143

2 жыл бұрын

you all probably dont give a damn but does any of you know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my account password. I appreciate any help you can give me

@mordechaisage4947

2 жыл бұрын

@Kasen Ahmir Instablaster :)

@kasenahmir3143

2 жыл бұрын

@Mordechai Sage thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm trying it out now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

@kasenahmir3143

2 жыл бұрын

@Mordechai Sage It worked and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much you really help me out !

@mordechaisage4947

2 жыл бұрын

@Kasen Ahmir No problem =)

Do not attempt this unless you have the hands of a surgeon. Quite possibly the single most frustrating task on earth. Aligning and balancing is easy. Getting the cartridge on the head shell? Forget it. Call a surgeon.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

Definitely nerve wracking :)

@golds04

8 ай бұрын

If you have the hands of a surgeon- I strongly suggest: you return them. 😂

Thanks for the informative video. It seems to be very doable. I am very new to this, but intuitively, wouldn't it make more sense to align the cartridge first, then adjust the tracking force? For example, you had to shift the cartridge back to align it with the second grid. Effectively, this would move the weight of the cart. closer to the fulcrum point of the tonearm. I would expect then, that the measured tracking force in this new position would be slightly lower than it was when you first set it.

Nice square front to the cartridge. This will be an important criterion with my next cartridge. Hours of fun with the curved front of a Audio Technica AT-OC9XML

Great video to talk me out of getting a turntable.

@redish_tomato5833

2 жыл бұрын

yeah i got one and it's really paying hundreds for something less convenient than Spotify. Tho it's like driving manual, its just fun even if its more "gimmicky". Boy, if watching a black circle turn aint fun !

Thanks, it looks great. Remember to check the balance force one more time at the end of the process since you translated the head.

I have a Music Hall USB-1 and want to replace cart/stylus. But this looks hard 😭

The VM540ml is an amazing cartridge

Very helpful, thank you!

@crutchfield

3 ай бұрын

Thank you for enjoying and commenting!🥰

The nut on top or bottom or both. Also, I have the screw off cartridge and head shell so I don’t have to work where the tone arm is stationed and where the wires are. I think it harder when you can’t take the Headshell off. The needle adjustment is tough when you don’t have that paper that you put on the spindle to measure. I know some newer TTS have a market on the platter.

@jacknjill3000

11 ай бұрын

Also I put the cartridge on and screwed down before i put the wires on and that was a bad idea. So now I’m going to put the wire on the back of the Headshell and then put behind the cartridge.

@crutchfield

11 ай бұрын

Setting up a turntable can take some extra time and effort for sure! Hope you're all set and enjoying the rewards of your time with some happy listening soon!

Very informative video, will this work with really high end gear, high end turntable, and high end MC cartridge? Thank you

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

Hi William. we do carry moving coil cartridges. Did you need help choosing one?

excellent info thank you

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome! It's great to hear that you found it helpful! 🙂

I have a Pro-ject Carbon Debut Esprit turntable and want to try another brand cartridge other than Ortofon just to experiment with the sound. The Pro-ject has a pretty detailed procedure on setting the counterweight and tracking force. Would I still need a stylus pressure gauge to do this? Also, I've read some horror stories on dealing with the pins on these tables. Evidently they're extremely delicate and subject to being pulled out...

@SSSweeper

3 жыл бұрын

Dealt with it yesterday, aslo have the Esprit. The pins on 2M cart are PITA indeed, the clips from the tonearm wires were very tight on them. Make sure to grab the clips between the solder joint and the connecting pin part. If they would be still hard to pull off, try to use something sharp to create some space between the clip and the pin.

@r.f.4280

2 жыл бұрын

Tonearm wires on pro-ject carbon debut are very delicate as I’ve just found out, tried to change the cartridge from a ortofon red to a Goldring E3 and the red and white wires snapped from the cartridge plugs, the plugs were very tight on ………. Bummer

Well done. Thanks

@crutchfield

3 жыл бұрын

thank you! 🥰

Do I need to use the provided leads when installing a new cartridge or can I just use the ones that are already hooked to my tonearm? Where do the washers that are provided go?

@ddaniell7526

3 жыл бұрын

Well I got my VM540ML installed last night. Kind of a pain, but I managed to do it. It was actually my first time replacing a cartridge. I did not use the provided leads or the washers for my Pro-Ject headshell. I only used the longest screws and the nuts at the top. Will this matter? I think this is the way he did it in the video but it is hard to tell.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

The washers are usually just to prevent scratching the top of the arm where you are turning the screws.

Hi there. I bought a used device. He came without that protractor table. Can you suggest a location on the net, where I could download for a Rega RP1? Thx in advance

@crutchfield

3 жыл бұрын

We do not know where you will be able to find the table for your Rega model. You might check with the manufacturer to see if they can help

All that pressure on the arm! I'd be freaking out!!

What about VTA?

Thanks !!

Where did you get the nuts? I seem to not have any from my old turntable or new cardtrige, is there a way to buy some

@crutchfield

3 жыл бұрын

We do not sell them separately. I've have pretty good success taking screws to the local hardware store, using their fit tool to find the size and thread count I needed.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

Check to see if your new cartridge is threaded. Many are nowadays. If not, many online stereo retailers will have them. Amazon also carries them.

Good explantation. By the way: Isn't the MoFi cartridge the one to have in comparison to the Audio-Technica?

@andmoreagain

2 жыл бұрын

its made by AT and just branded MoFi

@karabennemsi1923

2 жыл бұрын

@@andmoreagain I love the sound signature of this MoFi cartridge, even if it is produced by AT. 😀

@andmoreagain

2 жыл бұрын

@@karabennemsi1923 yes they make great carts so im sure it sounds awesome, was just attempting to answer your question effectively. what led you to surmise that the mofi is somehow better than the at im not sure. they are both moving magnet carts, the mofi has an elliptical stylus while the AT at 50 dollars more, has a nude square shank, id imagine its apples and oranges.

@karabennemsi1923

2 жыл бұрын

@@andmoreagain I think it's one thing to take a closer look at the technical specifications, and in this case, you are perfectly right - the AT cartridge seems to be better. But there is a second aspect - the way we hear. As far as I know, were the MoFi cartridges developed by Allen Perkins (Spiral Groove) but produced by AT. Perhaps there are similarities. But they do sound different in a way, at least to my ears. The MoFi StudioTracker fits exceptionally well with the MoFi turntable. I like this combination - to me, it is a convincing team play. At the end of the day, your personal preferences are relevant. So have fun with your setup! 🎵👍

@andmoreagain

2 жыл бұрын

@@karabennemsi1923 again, not arguing for one or the other being "better". was simply pointing out the differences and more or less asking you what led to your assumption that the mofi was somehow more desirable than the at - as they are fitted with completely different styli, thats all. again, im sure it sounds awesome - i have not heard the mofi so i cannot comment as to how it sounds to my ears and did not attempt to do so.

Can i have pre-set cartridges, like mounted on the shells?

@crutchfield

2 жыл бұрын

We do offer some options for replacement cartridges already mounted on a headshell, such as this popular Audio-Technica model: www.crutchfield.com/I-rFBKc928/p_057VM520H/Audio-Technica-VM520EB-H.html?tp=71663

I know it may be sacrilege among most Audiophiles. But can someone recommend a good "P-MOUNT" Cartridge? I have an old PIONEER DD Turntable from the late 80s that I inherited a few years ago. It just has the P-Mount headshell. And though I bought a cheap Audio-Technica for it, I want something better.

@georgedoughly8682

3 жыл бұрын

Audio Technica makes great sounding P-Mount cartridges. I used to have a Technics SL-BD20 turntable that had a P-Mount tonearm and My favorite cartridge for it was an Audio Technica AT-92ECD. Unfortunately that model has been discontinued.

@davelopan8952

8 ай бұрын

LP gear Sells P mount cartridge

I am newly returned to the vinyl realm (used to play with records as a kid), but shouldn't you adjust the tone arm balance and weight after changing out cartridges? Maybe this demo assumes that you are replacing it with the exact same cartridge?

@crutchfield

3 жыл бұрын

The counter weight used to set the tracking force to give the tone are the proper balance is covered starting around 4:14. Since the counterweight was already installed, there was no need to balance first and then set tracking force.

I am not one to question or criticize someone’s DIY videos, but I would think that you would want to square the cartridge on the head shell first. After that is done, you would want to rebalance the tone arm since you are installing a new cartridge that may not be the same weight as the old one. After that, set the tracking force and anti skate. Just my .02.

@jacknjill3000

11 ай бұрын

Oh and did he not do that and did the adjusting without the cartridge? I need to watch it again and went right into the comments,

Wow and that looks tough when you have to removed the cartridge on the arm. Mine has a twist off, so you can twist the whole cartridge off to replace the needle or cartridge. Alignment at what point to screw it is the tricky part that you need the paper guide. Oh yeah and the tracking force and adjusting that.

@jacknjill3000

11 ай бұрын

Where do you get that paper guide that you line up the needle with? Does it come with the stylus /cartridge box when you box a new cartridge?

@crutchfield

11 ай бұрын

If it’s not included with your turntable, you can use purchase an alignment protractor like the Pro-Ject Align it S: www.crutchfield.com/I-rIGRc921/p_252ALINS/item.html

I don't have the protractor is there a way of aligning without one?

@crutchfield

4 ай бұрын

Absolutely. If you do not have a protractor, you can also use the Pro0Ject Align it S Cartridge tool below! Properly aligning your cart/stylus is crucial for sound quality. www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc166/p_252ALINS/Pro-Ject-Align-it-S.html

Can I use a audio-technic phono cartridge w/ Kenwood kd-21R t-table

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

Hi Philip, looks like you can replace the cartridge on that model. Do you have a specific Audio-Technica cartridge in mind?

this is very usefull

@crutchfield

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! We are glad we could help

Are are forgetting to adjust the VTA, the height of the tone arm ??

@crutchfield

3 жыл бұрын

We didn't cover that as not all turntables have this adjustment but you are correct that if the height of the tonearm can be adjusted, then it is best to make sure that the tonearm is level to the record.

@CTP8585

3 жыл бұрын

@@crutchfield How can a turntable be designed without the capability for TONEARM VTA adjsutment ? I find it totally unacceptable but there are many, many turntables on the market without this feature and selling at high prices and calling themselves the BEST turntables !!!

@Antonio-sd5yn

3 жыл бұрын

@@CTP8585 ehm, my Kenwood from 1977 hasn't VTA adjustment.

@CTP8585

3 жыл бұрын

@@Antonio-sd5yn In the past cartridges sold in the 60s and 70s came with shim which can tilt the phono cartridge to achieve the correct VTA in case the TONE ARM does not have this capability. For what ever reasons, phono cartridges sold in the 80s and thereafter omitted this feature. Therefore VTA adjustment depends solely on the TONE ARM. I strong believe all turntable should have this feature BUILT INTO the turntable as a standard feature. What is the point of selling a turntable without the VTA adjustment. Many customers are not knowledgeable about this requirement for adjusting the cartridge and many of them would buy very expensive turntable without the TONE ARM VTA capability.

You need to really have the cartridge twisted slightly in the headshell inwards a bit roughly a millimeter depends on how the cantilever looking and anti-skate people use too much anti skate. Wally has found Zenith is out by about 78% and this doesn't matter what type or how expensive the cartridges is you can always get his tool to measure it. Just make sure the outer screw in slightly over hung and the inner screw is under hung half a millimetre for each will give you the correct overhang better than using a protractor they're not accurate, all depends how long that arm tube is and they never to measurement best to measure overhang to spin yourself, a chart on the internet tells you what it should be for the given length of arm

Mission Impossible, if you ask me 😂😂😂

How do I know which one will fit?

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

Hi Dean, finding the right fit does take some time and research. What brand and model is your turntable? We can check to see if we have specs. From there, the manual should specify. If you don't have that, online forums can be helpful too.

@deanfeldman2505

Жыл бұрын

@@crutchfield Hi, my turntable from the 70s is an ADC 1510 FG, It served me well over many years. It still has the original cartridge and stylus. I saw one opinion suggesting that for these old units it may be best to just swap out the stylus. Not having the manual any longer its challanging to know which stylus or cartridge can be set up. Thanks for your reply.

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Dean. I'm sorry to tell you we don't have any specs on that turntable and were not able to verify online the correct fit for the replacement. A good option in this case will be to reach out to a company who specializes and sells replacements for various turntables www.lpgear.com/CTUS.html. They can help you determine the best fit. I hope that helps! And if you do need further assistance, please let us know.

@deanfeldman2505

Жыл бұрын

Thank you

@crutchfield

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

One thing I hate is having the screws underneath. It looks Awful.

Do you put the connector covers on the back or the front part of the cartridge? I see it on the back and I had installed mines on the front wires.

@crutchfield

11 ай бұрын

Hi Aaron, what model cartridge are you planning to use?

Good turntables have removable headshells, and adjustable height tonearms.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

Removable headshells have been generally identified as a source of sound degradation. Most of the best tonearm designs avoid this today. There are a few very high quality tonearm designs that still have removable shells but the “universal headshell “ design is mostly considered an obsolete technology.

I just do not understand. Why did you balance the weight of cartridge at first and than made the alignment? If you move cartridge, you will change the balance. I'm the newbie, but I think you should start with alignment at first.

@crutchfield

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Milan, great question! It's a good idea to get the tracking force fairly close to make things easier with balance when making other adjustments. And, if the stylus is uncovered, it will keep it from pressing too hard on the protractor if the force is too great. You are correct that those additional adjustments could change the tracking force slightly, so it's never a bad idea to make one final adjustment with the scale at the end. I hope this helps!

@milanulrich

2 жыл бұрын

@@crutchfield thank you very much. I do understand the basics little bit better now. 👍🏻

good basic steps. but - the 4 tiny wires and connect clips are VERY fragile - at least these clips had a insulation tube over each providing more strength . ( to me ) more important than the electrical insulation.... the other end , are the tiny wires replaceable some are, around 2 inches long, clips on both ends. but some wires go straight thru and are not replaceable. ( fewer connections, better sound in theory BUT... ) danger - very fragile, don't ask how I know this but I broke one of the 4 tiny connects/wires and a fairly expensive t'table is now worth about 2 cents. try finding an electronic service repair shop nowadays. ha ! just a pathetic product design. many T'tables have the SME / technics design with an easily removable head shell and sets of the 2 inch long tiny wires are avail for $ 25. or so. BIG +. to me that feature is a buy / no buy aspect.

Great Video, however after watching this, I am sticking to CD.... At the top of surface noises, swap sides, cartridge changes looks taking so much effort and tools, to think it is going to be changed once every few hundred hours, I just failed to see why mordern people loves vinyl records....

@dariomonefeldt1464

Жыл бұрын

I feel the same. I myself am very excited to get into the vinyl but seeing the amount of money+work involved, I feel hesitant. I am afraid that when all is said and done, you start to think "hmm maybe the room has shitty acoustic". Or maybe do "the speakers/cables/amp/my ears suck". When the true problem maybe lies in the mastering of the record that you are trying to listen to...

@JamesSmith-qy3eu

Жыл бұрын

Vinyl sounds amazing, that's why.

@tonyfei472

Жыл бұрын

@@JamesSmith-qy3eu Emotional response, understandable but lack of evidence to back up the logics here. I agree records can sound great, but not as good as CDs or 24 bit FLAC these days: the physical limitation of capturing sound frequencies and on disc real estate that caused the recording quality drops the longer the contents are recorded, have added to many flaws of this format apart from costs etc. What I am interested is, as a record fan, what makes you think that Vinyl sounds amazing, given, in 2023, many other formats are more convenient and better quality to be obtained, at much cheaper prices. Was it beacuse psychological emotion of nostalgia, or it is self-hint on the format due to previous ownership and money cost spent, that there should have been a purpose of such, which leads to the conclusion that Vinyl sounds amazing hence I spent this much on it?

@Android811

Жыл бұрын

@@tonyfei472 Some things just can't be quantified. For me, it's the little imperfections in the sound that make it better! Kinda like watching a band live. The song they recorded separately, mastered and put on CD sounds perfect.... But hearing it played live is just something else.

You did not balance the tone arm

@stevenclarke5606

3 жыл бұрын

He didn’t need too ,because the use of the scales used to measure the tracking force. Which was set to 2g , if you don’t have the luxury of the scales then you would need to balance the tone arm and then dial in the tracking force.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

Balancing the tonearm is only for when you are using a gauge built onto the counter balance. These really only get you into the ballpark, a scale is exact because you are measuring at the actual point of the diamond where it contacts the vinyl.

It’s not that difficult. Just take your time pulling out the cables.

Step1: Have turntable with removable head-shell.

@dmnddog7417

3 жыл бұрын

Even if the whole headshell is removable, it doesn't mean the cartridge in the replacement headshell kit is aligned to your table. For example, Audio Technica recommends that you align the VM540ML cartridge (used in this video) even when it's part of the replacement headshell kit and you're using it to replace the headshell on one of their own turntables. At the very least, it's a good idea to have the protractor to check if it's pretty much aligned out of the box. You can then adjust it if you need to.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

Removable head shell is a well recognized degrader of sound quality. Most high definition tone arms avoid this. Go unipivot and you can usually lift off the whole tonearm.

@salmonline

3 жыл бұрын

@@therealchickentender Except Rega, etc.

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

@@therealchickentender Seriously. Research. I've been in this game since the early 70's. That connection at the head shell is only for convenience it is a needless design flaw to over come. You still need to do all the adjustments with it attached to the arm. Why add another break in the wiring?

@BUF-vr5cr

3 жыл бұрын

@@therealchickentender Rega, Kuzma, AMG, TW Acustic, Reed, Audio Origami, Pear Audio, VPI, Klaudio, Graham Engineering, Audio & Design, Sorane, Acoustic Signature....... Do we need to go on. All the modern arm designs eschew the removable head shell. There are many designs that are very good using old design techniques but any of those arms would probably sound better with the head joint replaced with a solid connection. It is time to move on from know flaws.

This is missing a KEY step... Take the needle off before mounting the cartridge. If you do that, it's really easy.

@Skyshakerrrr

2 жыл бұрын

If you are careful that's no need only if you are not paying attention.

You can run things backwards and it will still sound the same. This is for nerds. 😂😂