How To: Set Up A TurntableCategories: Hi-Fi, How To

A little while ago, our Sales Manager Richard (and our in-house Vinyl Head!) put together a video on how to set up a Pro-ject Debut Carbon. This was designed both as an instructional video for that specific turntable, and a little general ‘how to’ on how the vast majority of turntables will need to be tended to before they’re put to use. Rather than bumble through my own hacked up interpretation of how it’s done, we thought we’d let our favourite bonefide audiophile do the job for us. Again.

Here’s the original video. Skip ahead to 2:59 for the good stuff! And see below for a little summary. As we said before, this is a set of instructions that is technically specific to the Pro-ject Debut Carbon, but would apply (at least in part) to most turntables, particularly those how full within the mid to lower end.  As always please give us a shout if you have any questions or concerns. Part of our service is tech support. If you’re lucky you might get to speak to the man himself!

Check out our Anatomy of  Turntable blog as a point of reference.

Okay, that’s the video. Here’s the textual breakdown (with a few pictures kindly donated from our friends at Henley Designs!)

1. Unpack – Carefully!

With any new toy, the instinct to tear it out of its packaging and get down to business (pausing at intervals to play with the bubble wrap. Naturally.) is strong. But when you get a new turntable, it’s important to oppress that instinct to the best of your ability. Turntables are complicated, with complicated and delicate components which are easily damaged. Most of them will be individually wrapped and/packaged, but it’s still worth taking stock, unwrapping and laying out each piece individually to make sure there isn’t a chance of accidental damage.

2. Fit Belt

First up, put on a pair of latex gloves if you have any. Keeping the belt clean will help prevent degradation of the belt, and even clean hands will leave some deposits of grease. If you haven’t got any gloves, make sure you wash your hands before touching the belt. Carefully life the mat and the platter and fit the belt on the lip beneath the platter (or the sub platter beneath) by gently stretching it around it. Once that’s fitted, stretch the belt around the pulley. Replace the platter and the mat and you’re ready for step three.

3. Fit Counter Weight

Hold the tone arm in place in its rest by placing your finger on the end, close to the cartridge. Take the counterweight and twist it gentle on the end with the numbers facing towards you. Keep your finger on the tone arm while you move onto the next step.

4. Fit Anti-Skating Weight

At the base of the tone arm – before the counterweight – these is a hoop of plastic. Hook the end of the counter weight over this. Some turntables will have a hook for the weighted end, some will not. If your turntable does, hang the weight over the hook. If if doesn’t, then thread it around and leave it to hang beneath the hoop.

5. Balance Counter Weight

Take your finger off the tone arm and lift it off its rest. Y-ou’ll notice a seesaw type of effect as the counterweight lifts the tone arm backwards. Turn the outside dial of the counterweight (either way until the arm in  perfectly balanced, without pulling backwards or leaning forwards (doesn’t need you to hold down the tonearm, or use its rest).

Like that.

6. Set Down Force

First, put the arm back in its rest, (or cradle) and turn the inner dial to zero. It should be in line with the marker on the arm, just beneath the weight.

Next, set the downward force. Each cartridge is different, and it will state explicitly with the packaging/instructions what the downward force is supposed to be. If it is 1.6g, turn the dial to 16. If its 2/5g, turn the dial to 25. It’s important to alter the downward force for each cartridge otherwise you risk damaging the stylus and getting a poor reading of the grooves of the vinyl.

7. Remove Stylus Cover – Gently!

This isn’t a complicated step, but it does need to be undertaken with the utmost care. The stylus (or needle) is incredibly delicate, and the tiniest slip with the case and the show’s over. And you don’t want to spoil the ‘new turntable’ magic with the immediate purchase of a replacement stylus (in the case of MC – Moving Coil – cartridges) or even an entire cartridge (in the case of MM – Moving Magnet – cartridges). Take it off slowly, take it off gently.

8. Enjoy!

Turn it on, place the tonearm and let your records spin! As long as you have your phono stage, amplifier and speakers hooked up (and plenty of vinyl on standby) then you’re good to go!

Remember, every turntable is different, so it’s always worth having a peruse of the instructions before you dig in. As always, we’re on hand to help.

In the meantime, if you’re all set up, enjoy your records. It’s what they were made for!