Cartridge Storage

[Guest]

Here's snapshots of what I"m calling my new Cartridge Roundhouse - it's a round base designed to hold cartridges mounted on Kuzma headshells (4Point or Ref 313 arms) , with a thick screw-on clear plastic cover. This model holds four carts; FK also offers a single cartridge version. The headshells are held securely but you can tighten down their screws to lock them in place w/ a 2mm Allen key.

from the bottom L to R: Benz LP S, Alnic Arrow, Lyra Etna.


All buttoned up




Pretty cool, eh? Kuzma makes quality stuff.

Some here have extensive cartridge collections.

--> How do you store your cartridges?

[rockitman]

Damn !!! That is a nice solution....I may have to try the Kuzma 14" on my table for my next significant stereo upgrade (Replace Graham 12" Supreme). I forgot w/Kuzma you can pre-mount carts in removable head shells.

I wonder if the 14" Kuzma will work with the Air Force One rear tone arm slot ?

[JackD201]

I don't know Christian. The standard length 4-point can't be mounted on the rear. Front only.

[rockitman]

thanks for that info Jack.

[Per Sundell]

Thats briliant. I just toss mine in a bowl!

[Rob]

the idea is from a fellow cartridge collector that uses acrylic golf ball display boxes to ship carts. I now buy these by the dozen and use a jig to drill the holes for the mounting screws and stick on non-skid clear rubber pads. I'm always amazed that someone will buy a 3, 5 or $10K cartridge and throw away all the packaging and lose the stylus guard!

[kcin]

Here's snapshots of what I"m calling my new Cartridge Roundhouse - it's a round base designed to hold cartridges mounted on Kuzma headshells (4Point or Ref 313 arms) , with a thick screw-on clear plastic cover. This model holds four carts; FK also offers a single cartridge version. The headshells are held securely but you can tighten down their screws to lock them in place w/ a 2mm Allen key.

from the bottom L to R: Benz LP S, Alnic Arrow, Lyra Etna.



All buttoned up



Pretty cool, eh? Kuzma makes quality stuff.

Some here have extensive cartridge collections.

--> How do you store your cartridges?

How confident are you on alignment when changing through your cartridges- do you use your set up your protractors again? or do you find the initial set up and position in the headshell is it after VTA?

thanks.

[Guest]

How confident are you on alignment when changing through your cartridges- do you use your set up your protractors again? or do you find the initial set up and position in the headshell is it after VTA?

thanks.

Hi kcin, Good question. To swap a cartridge I first set the headshell parallel to the record. I have one headshell dedicated to my Wally VTA device. Since I record the setup parameters for each cart the first time I do it, its easy to adjust the shims in the Wally VTA and make quick work of that. Then I install the headshell with cartridge attached, fit the arm wires and adjust VTF. The headshell-tonearm fit seems quite precise so normally I don't use the protractor. The times I have checked, things were spot on. I'll play a few records, then do the azimuth, starting with the Fozgometer. I check VTF again and if all is in order I'm good to go. I recorded the mark on the tonearm where I left SRA, so I adjust to that.

Of course if something doesn't sound right, in the past I have gotten out the protractor. Only once did I make an alignment change. I tend to obsess over alignment but I've developed trust in the stability of the tonearm.

I see you have the 4Point - is our experience similar?

[kcin]

Hi kcin, Good question. To swap a cartridge I first set the headshell parallel to the record. I have one headshell dedicated to my Wally VTA device. Since I record the setup parameters for each cart the first time I do it, its easy to adjust the shims in the Wally VTA and make quick work of that. Then I install the headshell with cartridge attached, fit the arm wires and adjust VTF. The headshell-tonearm fit seems quite precise so normally I don't use the protractor. The times I have checked, things were spot on. I'll play a few records, then do the azimuth, starting with the Fozgometer. I check VTF again and if all is in order I'm good to go. I recorded the mark on the tonearm where I left SRA, so I adjust to that.

Of course if something doesn't sound right, in the past I have gotten out the protractor. Only once did I make an alignment change. I tend to obsess over alignment but I've developed trust in the stability of the tonearm.

I see you have the 4Point - is our experience similar?

Hi, yes, I love my 4-Point- what a great arm. I have 2 blank head shells + the one on the arm but they've largely gone empty as I like set and forget. I use the Brinkmann 12.1 with the 4-Point . I tend to obsess so when I do use the head shell I re-do everything. With the SmartTractor- that exercise has become very easy . I just ordered another cartridge so I will have to make use of the head shells.

I was curious about your technique. I now use a laser level for leveling - makes it easy then off to VTA and re-iterate the VTF back and forth. The laser level and the SmarTractor have made it "enjoyable".

Thanks.

[Guest]

Hi, yes, I love my 4-Point- what a great arm. I have 2 blank head shells + the one on the arm but they've largely gone empty as I like set and forget. I use the Brinkmann 12.1 with the 4-Point . I tend to obsess so when I do use the head shell I re-do everything. With the SmartTractor- that exercise has become very easy . I just ordered another cartridge so I will have to make use of the head shells.

I was curious about your technique. I now use a laser level for leveling - makes it easy then off to VTA and re-iterate the VTF back and forth. The laser level and the SmarTractor have made it "enjoyable".

Thanks.

I have a laser level and have seen references to using it for tonearm leveling, but I have not tried it yet. I'm skeptical of my own ability to eyeball the optimal locaton of its line on the tonearm. Where on the 4Point do you 'aim' ? Where the cartridge meets the headshell?

Do you laser level the turntable first? Would that have both table and tonearm based on the laser's notion of level - both on the same plane as it were? Or maybe I don't understand the technique.

[kcin]

I have a laser level and have seen references to using it for tonearm leveling, but I have not tried it yet. I'm skeptical of my own ability to eyeball the optimal locaton of its line on the tonearm. Where on the 4Point do you 'aim' ? Where the cartridge meets the headshell?

Do you laser level the turntable first? Would that have both table and tonearm based on the laser's notion of level - both on the same plane as it were? Or maybe I don't understand the technique.

On the 4-point where the cartridge meets the head shell is a good place to shoot the laser. Also approximate centre of the arm is good then the tail high or low is easily observed and very easily adjusted on the 4-point. Skimming the top with the laser and looking for light from the background works too.

Brinkmann 12.1 is straight so I skim the top and shoot the centre and adjust. SME I use the markings on the arm.

I do follow up with a millenum block to touch it up if necessary. Thanks.

Thanks!

[Joe Pittman]

I'm just getting into VPI tonearms and looking at getting some cases. Over the next few months I need to do some systematic cartridge comparisons.

[Bill Hart]

Here's snapshots of what I"m calling my new Cartridge Roundhouse - it's a round base designed to hold cartridges mounted on Kuzma headshells (4Point or Ref 313 arms) , with a thick screw-on clear plastic cover. This model holds four carts; FK also offers a single cartridge version. The headshells are held securely but you can tighten down their screws to lock them in place w/ a 2mm Allen key.

from the bottom L to R: Benz LP S, Alnic Arrow, Lyra Etna.



All buttoned up



Pretty cool, eh? Kuzma makes quality stuff.

Some here have extensive cartridge collections.

--> How do you store your cartridges?

What you need to get Franc to do is modify that, so it is like a Gatling gun, and swings each cartridge into place as needed. I guess it would add a little mass to the business end of the arm, but.....

my NDA prevents me from saying more.

[david k]

There have been such storage solutions available for decades housing removable headshells, the most popular types were the cases.

david

[astrotoy]

I'm impressed! How long does it take to switch a cartridge out and and another into an arm? I've never trusted my abilities with such fine motor skills (my daughter said she would play violin with me when I learned how to play in tune!). So I just have one stereo and one mono cartridge, each mounted (by Stirling Trayle, not me) on a different VPI arm wand.

Thanks, Larry

[david k]

I'm impressed! How long does it take to switch a cartridge out and and another into an arm? I've never trusted my abilities with such fine motor skills (my daughter said she would play violin with me when I learned how to play in tune!). So I just have one stereo and one mono cartridge, each mounted (by Stirling Trayle, not me) on a different VPI arm wand.

Thanks, Larry

HI Larry,

Arm setup is just a simple basic skill nothing mystical about it so don't be afraid to try for yourself and like all skills practice makes it better & faster. Of course some arms are easier than others to work with it takes me a maximum of 30 minutes to setup the SME 3012 or similar arms with a new cartridge for the first time. Since I can go back to previous VTA & overhang settings with these arms swapping cartridges is about 5 minutes.

david

[astrotoy]

Thanks, David. Larry

[Beaur]

David's VTA setting procedure is genius and cheap. I thought I had done a respectable job using some leftover metal shims but David one-upped me. He uses a stack of those long and narrow playing cards, then counts out the number he needs for a specific cartridge. When he first started counting them out I thought we were going to play gin or something similar. A low budget tweak with high-dollar reward.