[strat95]

Thank you turkey and bacobits for the links.

Ted

[Tone Depth]

Wayner,

I wanted to thank you publicly for your generosity in sharing your alignment guide!

[Wayner]

It's the quest for better sound and it's worth sharing.

Wayner

[Grumpy_Git]

If people want something stronger than paper then they should have a look at the plastic sheets used in printers for overhead projector purposes.

Then its down to them what they print on!

Nick.

[Matt__P]

hey Wayner,,, next time you're in the cities you should come up to Blaine and set mine up for me!!
 Everytime I touch my 1200mk5 I feel like im doing something wrong.

might be some Depeche mode imports on vinyl in it for ya.

[Wayner]

Well, Matt, there are 2 things on the Technics that are not right. First is the VTA adjustment scale. I think they made the mat thicker over the years, but didn't change the dial reference, so it's off. Secondly, the anti-skate scale seams to be a little lean too. I haven't checked that table with my new alignment tool yet, maybe this afternoon. Then I will know how good the little plastic set-up tool is from Technics.

Wayner

[Wayner]

Matt,

I checked the Technics SL-1200. Man, that thing is dead on. Tho I debate the 8.46875" spindle to tonearm center, but it is very very close maybe off .01". Still for using the little plastic jig, it's damn near right on so all you Technics owners can feel better.

By the way, the 3 samples have been sent out to our contestants via USPS snail mail. Good luck chaps!

Wayner 

[Berndt]

First contact.
Have been borrowing a Frikert to align my empire 208 w/rega rb300.
This cutout does the same job.
Good job Wayner

Only suggestion is changing the graduations to thousandths instead of fractional.
Most tonearm data is in metric which you have to convert to SAE and get a decimal value.
Now you have to reconvert to fractional, anyways it is two conversions that can create more error.
OTW, Thank you very much and I am getting ready to drop the needle.

[WGH]

Wayner's alignment jig is darn near perfect. Assembly was easy and the directions are easy to follow.
I would prefer to have all the measurements in millimeters, inches are too course a measurement system but the different line colors really helped.

While waiting for the jig I made a custom protractor so I could compare the two systems.
I scaled up the measurements for my Harman Kardon table three times so it would be easier and more accurate to draw out using the information from the Baerwald Alignment Calculator from Enjoy the Music.



I drew a 30" x 22.5" box around the enlarged protractor and took a digital photograph, which I cropped and re-sized so it would print out at exactly 10".



I then compared Wayner's setup with the custom setup and the results were exactly the same, this means that with this easy to use tool you can be assured that your cartridge is set up optimally no matter what table and arm combination you have.

Below are a few more setup photos using the new jig:





Null points and offset angle with Wayner's jig is right on the money


I also have the Harman Kardon protractor I made available as a download. The factory got the overhang wrong, there is less distortion with a 19 mm overhang so this is the improved alignment settings. The drawing should print out at exactly 10" wide.
http://www.wghwoodworking.com/harman_kardon/hk_protractor.pdf

W.

[Wayner]

Great job, guys! 2Bigears is in Canada so it will take awhile longer for him to get his protractor.

So I'm hearing forget the English and go metric. I guess I thought about that, but went the otherway. You guys are right tho. Almost all arm specs are in millimeters and I don't remember seeing one that was say 19.52mm, they were always right on an even number. This will help it dial it in even better. I will change the scales to millimeters.

Now, what do you think of having this made out of plastic with all the scales lasered in? Of course, it couldn't be free anymore, but would be more permanent. I'm just thinking out loud here.

Also, have you heard any difference in the sound now you have this alignment?

Wayner 

[Berndt]

I hadn't had a chance to utilize my good friends Frikert so I eyeballed my latest cart mount.
After utilizing the WAT (wayner adjustment tool) the change was not subtle.
Wayner, you hit the nail on the head, FWIW.
Thank you very much.
I would still prefer to have graduations in thousandths, or hundredths as an old school machinist that is how I perceive space.
A plastic version I would gladly pay for, or trade.
As a prototype machinist I would be happy to construct your ideas from aluminum as well.
I just don't have cnc engraving at my fingertips.
regards,Bill

[WGH]

Also, have you heard any difference in the sound now you have this alignment?

Wayner 

The changes I hear is more depth to the sound stage and an increase in low level detail transparency. High frequencies are clear without adding any surface noise. The Goldring 1042 has a Fritz Gyger line contact stylus which is very sensitive to even the slightest change, I am now getting the best sound ever after using Wayner's protractor. My home made protractor is good but the lines are not as finely drawn so I can achieve better accuracy with the universal protractor (WAT).

A suggestion for the null point scale. Placing the needle on the null hides the numbers, so if the arm drifts slightly while lowering I have to squint under the cartridge to see what line I am on. If there were numbers on both sides of the grid alignment would be easier.

The numbering system would be like a good metric ruler and the grid could be in millimeters with no break in the lines. I like the colors.

W.

[charmerci]

My suggestion for the name of the tool would be WATTT - Wayner Adjustment TT Tool.

[WGH]

I measure a lot in my line of work so easy to read rulers are a necessity but for some reason even with the colors I find the null point scale hard to read quickly and accurately. My gold standard are Rabone Chesterman rulers that were made in England, the line layout makes sense to me.

Here is a photo of my favorite ruler:



W.

[Wayner]

I have taken your suggestions and have made a "metric" version. The protractor also has some verification points so you know your printer printed to scale. I have sent Frank the .dxf files for him to put on his website, tho I do not have the instruction sheet done. That will be this weekend.

Please do not ask Frank if the protractor is on the site yet. We will let you know when things are ready. I hope you do enjoy it and find it useful as it is all about the persuit of great music, which is what AVA is all about.

This has been a fun project and this is something that is easy to share. It works best if you print on 110 lb card stock. That kind of paper is usually available at specialty craft stores. This is the heavy paper that DIY card makers use. You may have to fiddle around with the scaling on your printer as this paper may have an influence on the accuracy of the printout, because of it's weight. When I print out my jigs, I have to set the scale to 1.009".

Anyway, still waiting for 2Bigears comments and he may have some other noteworthy comments that may change the design, so we are not leaving you out.

Thanks guys!

Wayner

[2bigears]

  hi guys,thks for thinking-bout' me Wayner,snail mail will be up to two weeks from send-off.the tool looks good though.can't wait to try.will i need some data on the P9 to set your tractor ????  thks  Pat

[kdj432]

where can i get a hold of this protractor?

[avahifi]

You will need to contact Wayner yourself.  I am not sure if he has any remaining inventory.

We really miss his expertise here.

Frank