[orthobiz]

So I fired this thing up tonight and it sounds pretty good! The speed adjustment slider is almost at the limit of the (-) adjustment, not in the middle of the range as I would like, but it does run true at 33.333 with the built in strobe. And it does have a little speed adjustment to spare...

The Grace is mounted at the wrong distance, I think just a hair under the 222 mm, perhaps 220. What's the best way to measure it? I don't feel like buying a fancy gauge like the Clearaudio, especially since I own Wayner's Most Wonderful Setup Device. It looks like the big mounting circle for the tonearm is slightly eccentric, so I will take off the base and see if I can rotate it to the right distance.

The back of the tonearm is way high, I need to lower it. Doesn't that improve the bass?

So far I'm encouraged.

Paul

[Wayner]

Paul,

I have just designed a ruler to measure spindle to pivot distance. It's made out of 110lb card stock and it's been laminated. I could send you one as a trade for your kind shipment of Biz Wiz.

You have a PM.

Wayner

[neobop]

Ortho,
If the arm is a couple mm closer than specified, you're probably better off leaving it as is. Just use a conventional protractor to align, rather than one dedicated to a specific mounting distance. The reason is that Grace used some strange null points with factory alignment. Those couple of mm should allow a Loefgren (A or B) alignment with virtually all carts.

neo

[orthobiz]

Without Wayner's special ruler, I'd have to say the pivot-spindle distance is 217mm instead of 222mm.

What does that mean with respect to setup? Change the overhang? Null points?

Paul

[Wayner]

Yes, that all changes. If you were wanting a Lofgren B alignment, you would need a 18.127mm overhang to get the 70.285 and 116.604 null points. The real problem you may face is that the headshell slots may not get you there. All arms are designed to reach specific alignments (some can do all the popluar ones), but that means that the arm has to be installed at the correct arm manufacturer's recommended distance from the spindle. Failure to do so, may keep you from doing a proper alignment.

I suggest you find out the recommended spindle to pivot distance for your arm, and see where you are at, and where to go from here.

Wayner

[neobop]

217? That seems like a bit much. Too bad the table doesn't have an armboard. You might want to remove the arm to get a more accurate measurement. I strongly suggest using conventional protractors to see where the alignment is, and what needs to be done.

I believe the mounting distance is 222 with a 15mm overhang. That would make eff length 237. You can check VE tonearm data base for factory null points.

neo