Etna SL locked in

[kcin]

Just set up the Etna SL in the Brinkmann 12.1 - I had good results with other Lyra cartridges in this arm. The SL joins the Atlas on the Kuzma. I used the Smartractor , it was a snap.

I will listen over the next few days and report back there will be work to be done on the loading for certain.

[climber8]

Funny... I got my Etna SL about a month ago and installed it on my Brinkmann 12" arm. This isn't exactly a common combination!

(I think mine is a 12.1 -- or is it that the ".1" added the adjustable azimuth? I wish I had a way to adjust azimuth on either of my tonearms. I'd be curious for any suggestions.)

[Stringreen]

Correct Azimuth is oh so important...

[kcin]

The Brinkmann 12.1 has azimuth adjustment capabilities ... it is a great arm. You need a Fozgometer or Feikert software to do it easily. There are other ways but you need a meter or oscilloscope.

The details to make the adjustment as far as the arm is concerned are in the Brinkmann instructions.

[climber8]

The Brinkmann 12.1 has azimuth adjustment capabilities ... it is a great arm. You need a Fozgometer or Feikert software to do it easily. There are other ways but you need a meter or oscilloscope.

The details to make the adjustment as far as the arm is concerned are in the Brinkmann instructions.

I've had my Brinkmann 12" arm for 8 years (possibly more). Mine doesn't have azimuth capability--that was a newer change.

I have Feikert software but the only way to adjust azimuth on my tonearms is to have some type of shim between cartridge and headshell; adjustments to that make the connection less rigid (in theory -- though some would argue that adding a rotating headshell decreases rigidity) and can mean the cartridge will move when adding shims.

If someone has recommendations I'm all ears.

[Billy Shears]

I've had my Brinkmann 12" arm for 8 years (possibly more). Mine doesn't have azimuth capability--that was a newer change.

I have Feikert software but the only way to adjust azimuth on my tonearms is to have some type of shim between cartridge and headshell; adjustments to that make the connection less rigid (in theory -- though some would argue that adding a rotating headshell decreases rigidity) and can mean the cartridge will move when adding shims.

If someone has recommendations I'm all ears.

Do it the way Ortofon does it. My cadenza has a ridge going down the middle so when you tighten one mounting screw more than the other you can adjust Azimuth. unless the Etna already has a defined contact Point between the Cart and Headshell adding one will not degrade Sound but improve it. a thin (round?) Strip of aluminum down the Center of the cart would be a possibility.

I remember seeing a picto-gram from Wally showing this technique. He used a narrow flat piece of ... I think was tin or lead. Fremer opined about using a piece of pencil lead (like those for a mechanical pencil.) Even a thin strip cut from a business card would probably work. You do lose the tight contact between cartridge and headshell and the resonance transfer that goes with it.

[climber8]

Thanks. I've seen this method recommended. As Guest notes, there must be *some* loss (maybe it doesn't matter -- that's another story), but certainly the connection of cartridge to headshell becomes less rigid.

The nice part about the pencil lead or other strip is that one can rocker the cartridge and experiment without changing alignment -- at least more readily than shims on one side or the other.

I should try this -- but it's kind of like cleaning records. My system sounds so damn good that I have trouble taking time out from limited windows to listen to either (a) clean records or (b) play with azimuth.

I've read all about it SO many times and am very intrigued (hell, I have the Feickert software); I have to confess that I can't imagine things sounding any better than they do. Maybe I've been blessed with excellent samples of cartridges I've owned?

[kcin]

I moved from 100 to 475 ohms on the loading I know there was some discussion on the other thread on loading. I think it is the right direction. I will try 243 ohms next.

At 100 ohms a little pinched and the sound stage slightly compressed inward. The Atlas likes 475ohms and the Etna SL seems to like it too. The SL is very detailed sounding without being etched. At 475 ohms things open up bass is centred nicely..

More to come.

I've got another cartridge on its way to join the Etna SL , Atlas and Koetsu RSP... but I'll save that for later when it arrives....