Stanton Cartridge Set Up

Tone Arm & Cartridge Settings

The major cause of problems in sound and skipping on the vinyl is the lack of proper set-up of the needle and turntable adjustments. The needle is designed to operate at a specific angle to the vinyl. The commonly used 'S-Arm' turntable has several adjustments to correctly position the needle to the vinyl.

1. The first adjustment is the correct installation of the cartridge. Your Stanton cartridge is to be mounted into the headshell as per the mounting instructions included with every cartridge. The 500, 680 and 890 series of cartridges require the use of the two screw mounting into the headshell. For your convenience, these products can be purchased already mounted and per-adjusted from your local Stanton dealer. If you are using these 1/2" mounted products with a headshell in a mobile application or you are doing heavy scratching, you might benefit by using the extra shell weight provided. Once you have installed your cartridge into the headshell. The Master series of products are designed with their own mounting that eliminates the need for a separate headshell and the wiring to the cartridge. The body of the cartridge should be parallel with the centerline of the headshell-tonearm, when viewed from the front to the back. 
   
   
2. The second adjustment is at the installation of the cartridge-headshell assembly into the tonearm tube lock. Holding the tone arm tube in one hand, insert the cartridge-headshell into the tube lock with the other hand. Turn the lock ring clockwise (when viewed from the rear) until the headshell is locked tightly into the tonearm. Remove the needle protector from the cartridge and place the needle on a record. View the needle from the front and insure that the needle is perpendicular to the record surface. If some adjustment is needed, simply loosen the lock ring and rotate the cartridge-headshell until the needle is perpendicular to the record surface. Then re-tighten the lock ring. 
   
   
3. The third adjustment is the needle (or stylus) pressure. Start with the cartridge-headshell assemble mounted into the tone arm. Remove any needle protectors provided. With the tone arm free, adjust the tone arm counterweight by rotating the rear section until the tone arm floats in a balanced condition above the record or mat.
   
   
   
   Do not allow the needle to drop onto the mat or the turntable platter during this adjustment. You might damage the needle tip. Now, carefully hold the tonearm in one hand while rotating the numbered ring on the front of the counterweight with the other hand to the "o" setting. Next, without touching the numbered ring, rotate the rear counterweight until the desired needle pressure reading is next to the line on top of the tonearm tube.
   
4. The forth adjustment is the anti-skate adjustment. If you are using the turntable for playback or recording only, then set the anti-skate adjustment to the same number as the needle pressure setting. If you are using the turntable for back cueing, scratching or other record manipulation, then set the anti-skate setting to "0". 
    
   
5. The fifth and last adjustment is that of the tonearm height. This will set the tonearm pivot and needle relation with the vinyl. Unlock the tonearm base located in the base of the pivot assembly. Rotate the height adjust ring in the pivot base to read the correct setting for the height of the cartridge that you are using. Check the cartridge/arm height table for the correct setting. Be certain to re-lock the pivot base when adjustment is completed. See fig. 5. 
   
   
   The above are correct tone arm settings when using a Stanton cartridge on a standard 'S-Arm' turntable. Please make certain that the tone arm is balanced to float horizontal above the platter at "0" setting before dialing in the desired correct stylus pressure.
   
   Note ://STR8 Series TT

Settings for Stanton STR8 series of Turntable

The Stanton STR8 series of turntables are designed specifically for the scratching DJ. Due to the special straight line tone arm, they do not have an antiskate control setting. They do not have a tone arm height adjustment. You do not have to make any settings for antiskate or tone arm height. Please follow all other instructions as below. 



Manufacturer recommended settings for optimum performance with Stanton Cartridges:

500 series:
500.V3, 505.V3, 520.V3

 "0" antiskate setting
 "1" tone arm height setting without headshell weight;
 "2" if using extra weight
 2 to 5 grams stylus pressure setting.

600 series:
680.V3, 680E.V3

 "0" antiskate setting
 "4" tone arm height setting without headshell weight;
 "5" if using extra weight
 2 to 5 grams stylus pressure setting.

890 FS

 "0" antiskate setting
 "4" tone arm height setting without headshell weight;
 "5" if using extra weight
  2 to 5 grams tonearm weight for SA
 1 to 3 grams tonearm weight for RM

Master series:
Groovemaster.V3

 "0" on the antiskate
 "0" on the tonearm height adjustment
 2 to 5 grams on the stylus pressure adjustment

Trackmaster.V3

 "0" on the antiskate "0" on the tonearm height adjustment 4 to 5 grams on the stylus pressure adjustment