1200 Configuration Questions

**Finnish_Fox** · 03-16-2012, 11:43 AM

Hey everyone... I've got some M5Gs with Shure Whitelabels. I am trying to configure them properly.

- Was wondering what height people have the tone arm base at (so the tonearm is level when playing on the record)? Mine is at 0 and still at a bit of an angle.

- Also, I have noticed my tonearms wiggle when playing some records - is this the record or an anti-skate issue? It is definitely more noticeable on certain records and almost barely on others. Counterweight and anti-skate are set to 2.5 - but increasing anti-skate doesn't help on the tracks that wiggle a lot.

Cheers.

**DTR** · 03-16-2012, 04:15 PM

If the height is at zero, but the arm goes slightly down hill towards the cart, that's ok.

When you say the tonearm wiggles, is it a slow sway from side to side or a very small vibration? If it's a slow sway, that's an off-centre hole in the record. Not much you can do about that except replace the record. If it's a small but quick vibration that's the bassy parts of the record, nothing to worry about.

**Andrew B** · 03-16-2012, 04:27 PM

I keep my arms parallel to a record. I've never really looked at the number, I just adjust until it's right.

Did you set your anti-skate by using a blank record?

**Finnish_Fox** · 03-16-2012, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by DTR

If the height is at zero, but the arm goes slightly down hill towards the cart, that's ok.

When you say the tonearm wiggles, is it a slow sway from side to side or a very small vibration? If it's a slow sway, that's an off-centre hole in the record. Not much you can do about that except replace the record. If it's a small but quick vibration that's the bassy parts of the record, nothing to worry about.

Gotcha... slow sway side to side and its clearly more noticeable with certain records over others. My thought was that it is the record as A) there is a difference and B) my guess is Technics did a better job of building the 1200 than old D'n'B labels did in pressing the wax 15-20 years ago.

**Finnish_Fox** · 03-16-2012, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew B

I keep my arms parallel to a record. I've never really looked at the number, I just adjust until it's right.

Did you set your anti-skate by using a blank record?

Yah, that's what I intended to do, but I can't go down any further - I'm at 0... I figure it might just be the Shure Whitelabel?

I did not, I set to equal the counter-weight. Do you do that with a stylus guard on the cartridge?

**Andrew B** · 03-16-2012, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Finnish_Fox

Yah, that's what I intended to do, but I can't go down any further - I'm at 0... I figure it might just be the Shure Whitelabel?

I missed that it's all the way down. I don't think there's anything you can do. Oh well, it should be fine.

Originally Posted by Finnish_Fox

I did not, I set to equal the counter-weight. Do you do that with a stylus guard on the cartridge?

No, no guard.

**Finnish_Fox** · 03-16-2012, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Andrew B

I missed that it's all the way down. I don't think there's anything you can do. Oh well, it should be fine.

Not overly concerned, I suppose. Haha.

No, no guard.

I'll give it a go.

**DTR** · 03-17-2012, 05:11 AM

To use the blank record method, set a blank sided record spinning on the platter. Lower the needle onto the record halfway between the edge and the label. The tonearm will begin to skate either outwards or inwards. Adjust the antiskate until it sits still.

**Finnish_Fox** · 03-19-2012, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by DTR

To use the blank record method, set a blank sided record spinning on the platter. Lower the needle onto the record halfway between the edge and the label. The tonearm will begin to skate either outwards or inwards. Adjust the antiskate until it sits still.

Yah, got that part of it. Not sure how to level out my tonearm as it is lowered all the way to 0. I was reading that coffins/cases can "bend" the tonarm in a downward angle over time...