On this page you can download free cartridge alignment protractors for quick and accurate alignment of cartridge / stylus overhang, offset and null points. We have truly universal two-point tools such as the Stupid Protractor, and tonearm specific types for Audiocraft, Helius, Heybrook, Linn, Rega and Thorens, all with easy to follow instructions detailing how to align a cartridge.
A pair of universal two-point protractors, one using the more common Baerwald alignment method as used on 99% of commercial products and the other Loefgren B (see Seb's user guide above for an explanation of the difference). Simple, accurate and widely compatible. If you aren't sure which type to use and want a free alternative to the common shop bought designs, download this one.
Baerwald cartridge alignment protractor download
Another universal protractor, this time using the Stevenson alignment method with null points at 60.325 mm and 117.42 mm. This is especially useful for arms which have limited room in the headshell slots and can't be aligned satisfactorily with a Baerwald type.
Designed to allow users to align their cartridge at any two null points between 60 and 150mm. A quick and easy way for experimenters to judge the sonic merits of different alignment methods. For example, this could be used in conjunction with the tonearm database to compare the tonearm manufacturers alignment with the popular Baerwald type found in most aftermarket protractors.
Suitable for Rega tonearms mounted at exactly 222mm (standard) mounting distance. Identical to the Baerwald protractor above but designed using Stevenson null points which gives alignment closer to Regas and is useful when the headshell slots don't give enough room to align your chosen cartridge using the Baerwald design.
Suitable for those Technics turntables that have an arm mounting distance of exactly 215mm, such as the SL-1200/1210/1300/1400/1500/1600 etc. Please check the tonearm database for the mounting distance of your arm before using this protractor.Note that Technics arms do not use baerwald alignment as standard, so you may have to skew the cartridge in the headshell in order to align with arc. Technics Arc Protractor Instructions
Hi,You should first push the cartridge forward in the headshell to follow the arc - this sets the overhang. If you run out of room in the slots it may not be possible to use Baerwald alignment with that cartridge. The cartridge should end up 2.8mm further forward than when using Technics original alignment, but the distance between the stylus tip and the cartridge mounting bolts varies from model to model so it may not be possible with the DL-160?
If you want to experiment further you could attempt to measure the offset angle (the angle between the cantilever and a line drawn between the stylus tip and the horizontal pivot point of the arm), or maybe experiment with inputting different angles into the Alignment Comparator until you get a decent distortion curve, then use Conrad Hoffman's arc protractor generator to print out an alignment template to see if you can align to it? It's a bit involved though, so probably a project for a rainy day (it was pouring it down the week I wrote the alignment calculator/comparator!).
(1) lower the stylus onto the inner null point (rotating the protractor as required), then adjust the for/aft position of the cartridge in the headshell until the cantilever/cartridge body is parallel with the grid lines when the stylus is placed back on the point.
(2) lower the stylus onto the outer null point (rotating the protractor as required). If the cantilever/cartridge body is not parallel to the grid lines at this point you should twist the cartridge in the headshell to adjust the offset angle (without changing the overhang set in the first step).
The advantage of a sight-line type (such as the KWillis protractor) is that you set the overhang and offset angle at the first point, then you just have to rotate the protractor* to check the second point, so it should be quicker. However, it's not always easy to point the sight-line accurately at the pivot point so if there is misalignment at the second point you should then use it as you would a two-point protractor to correct it.
* note that the angle between the grid line radii on the KWillis protractor reduces the amount you need to rotate the protractor when checking the second point, but the correct angle between these points is different for every mounting distance so you shouldn't attempt to force alignment at both points while the protractor is held stationary.
Hi,Used correctly the Stupid protractor works well - the Baerwald null points will provide the lowest peak error, while the Lofgren B will give the lowest average RMS error (with a slight increase at the inner and outer grooves). Alternatively you could use Conrad Hoffman's Arc protractor generator (see the thread in the cartridge forum) to print out an arc protractor specifically for your arm length - these are quicker to use than a traditional two-point type, but if you go this route be sure to read the instructions carefully.
Hi,You can use any universal 2-point protractor, but as standard your arm uses a geometry closest to Stevenson so this would leave your cartridge more central in the slots than other versions, offering better compatibility with cartridges that have an unusually long mounting hole to stylus tip measurement.
52mm is the standard distance from the back of the headshell mounting surface to the stylus tip, not the overhang. Overhang is the amount the stylus tip overhangs the centre of the spindle once aligned - standard this is 15mm, but using a Baerwald protractor you will end up with 17.8mm of overhang and the cartridge 3mm further forward in the headshell (but lower tracing error).
Hi,The 15mm overhang figure is only applicable to the original alignment method. If you want to keep the original overhang distance/offset angle you could try making your own two point protractor? According to Jelco's specs the original null points work out at 68.7 / 129.9mm so marking these on a piece of card would give you the radii at which the stylus should be perpendicular to the groove (if Jelco's figures are accurate).
Hi,To make a custom protractor, you firstly need to draw a straight line on a piece of card/paper and near one end mark a line for the spindle centre line (where you are going to punch/score the spindle hole). Then measure from this centre line the two null point distances and draw two lines at 90 degrees - these will be the two points at which you will place the stylus to check tangency. If you have Illustrator or a CAD program it's easier as you can more accurately draw the lines and maybe add a grid. Alternatively you could download the Chpratz Protractor above but it is only accurate to 1mm so you would be looking for alignment at the 69 and 130mm lines.
Hi,The scan of the original single point Rega protractor in the library is suitable, or you could use the Rega Baerwald/Stevenson arc protractors for alternative alignments which give theoretically lower tracking error/distortion.
HiStandard effective length for most 215mm Technics arms is 230mm (mounting distance + overhang). The arc protractor uses Baerwald geometry for lower distortion which requires more overhang (cartridge further forward in the slots) and hence a longer effective length.
There are 2 popular alignment families, known as Baerwald (or Lofgren A) and Stevenson. The 2 alignment geometries are calculated to minimise tracking error and distortion. Lofgren A or Baerwald alignment spreads the distortion across the surface of the record, resulting in the lowest average distortion figures. Stevenson alignments are optimised for zero tracking distortion in the lead out groove of the record at the expense of slightly higher distortion everywhere else. In reality the distortion figures are so low as to be of little issue. If your turntable manufacturer specifies an alignment, it is best to stick with their recommendation. If not, a Lofgren A protractor usually offers the best performance across a majority of LP records.
This protractor will align a cartridge to the factory Technics alignment, the same that is achieved when using the supplied overhang gauge. This protractor offers an extremely accurate way to align your cartridge using the Technics null radii of 58.8 and 113.5MM, resulting in an overhang of 15MM and an offset angle of 22 degrees, exactly as specified by Technics. When aligned, your cartridge body should be parallel to the headshell, with the distance between the tip of the stylus and the rubber washer at the rear of the headshell exactly 52MM.
Another protractor for the Technics, this time aligning to the Lofgren A or Baerwald alignment, with IEC standard null points of 66 and 120.9MM. When aligned, the cartridge will sit further forward in the headshell, angled slightly inwards. This alignment offers less RMS and peak distortion than the factory Technics alignment, though you may find the difference to be subtle at best. I prefer the Technics alignment. This protractor will work with any tonearm with a mounting distance of 215MM.
Other protractors can be downloaded from the Vinyl Engine. The vinyl engine also hosts a database of nearly every turntable, cartridge and tonearm ever manufactured along with their specifications and in many cases both instruction and technical manuals, as well as a range of tools for calculating optimal cartridge alignment, tonearm mounting position and tonearm / cartridge resonant frequency.
If you know the pivot to spindle distance if your arm, creating your own protractor is a simple task. This Arc Template Generator will calculate an arc protractor like those above based on your tonearm mounting distance, desired null radii and any of the 3 common alignment families. 2ff7e9595c
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