[kingdeezie]

Hey everyone,

I finally purchased an analog rig to get back into analog after a long hiatus, and I am regretting it already!

I got a great deal on a VPI Classic 1, and purchased an ATC O9 MK2 and a Pass Labs XP-15 to finish off the rig for now.

Everything finally got here yesterday, but in trying to set it up, I feel like I am way out of my league.

I managed to get the cartridge mounted and connected (Although I wouldn't be able to say I am 100 percent positive I didn't do SOMETHING bad to those little tonearm wires).

The problem now is, I can't get the arm to function AT ALL.

First off, the arm just sits on the spike? It feels like it just flip flops all over the place. Doesn't feel secure at all. I figured it would at least sit in something and feel connected. It just wobbles side to side, back and forth. Am I missing something?

I tried to set the counterweight, to see if having the cartridge on the arm would make a difference, but it doesn't. The arm still wobbles, and the arm keeps drifting back to the tonearm holder.

I can't even align the cartridge, because the arm just slowly swings back to the tonearm holder.

The instruction manual is worthless, and tackling azimuth and VTA seems like a monumental task.

I was so excited to listen to vinyl this weekend, but I think the effort is shot. At best I'll be happy if I didn't damage anything.

Can anyone out there with a Classic, lend me some advice?

[Gzerro]

The arm is designed to wobble like that, that is normal.

Do you have a scale to set the tracking force? Once you get the tracking force in range for your cartridge the arm will stay on the record and the instructions should start to make more sense.

The classic is a fantastic table, and not difficult to setup. The first time may take a while,but once you get through it once you will be able to do the whole process in about 15-20 minutes the next time.

[kingdeezie]

Gzerro, thanks! That got the arm to stop sliding over. Great tip.

Now, after alignment, how does one fix the azimuth and the VTA?

The instruction manual mentions something about an azimuth ring, but the picture they give you doesn't explain much. The ring doesn't turn. The VTA adjustment also doesn't make much sense.

[Sonny]

the way to fix azimuth is to rotate the counter weight either left or right, rotate it the direction that the cartridge need to tilt to be correct.  In otherwords, if the cartridge is currently leaning to the left, rotate the counterweight to the right.  The problem is, as you do this, try to keep the counterweight int he same position, front to back, on the back of the tone arm as if you don't you will increase (moving it forward) or decrease VTF.

Hope this helps.

[vortrex]

buy the Soundsmith Counter Intuitive for $50.  it is well worth it.

the VTA adjustment is done with the ships wheel.

I would not worry about the Azimuth unless you get the Counter Intuitive.  it will make your life much easier.

[orthobiz]

Counter Intuitive is the way to go.

Get the test record and Fozgometer. Tools you will use for life. Helps with azimuth more than eyeballs.

You can put ultra thick dampening goop in the arm pivot area, I haven't done it yet...It will cut down on wobble. Others can chime in.

Paul