Tonearm
How we verify these specifications
Preset values come only from manufacturer documentation: original manuals and official published specifications, kept on file with their page references. Every published number passes two independent verification passes against the source page. Where documents disagree, or a figure cannot be confirmed, the model is left out rather than guessed. Missing your arm? Tell us and we will research and verify it.
The groove radii presets (DIN, IEC, Typical) and the differences between the four geometries are explained in our alignment guide.
Print calibration & paper
Print at Actual size (100%), never “fit” or “shrink”. If the marks measure off target, enter the two distances above; the next download corrects itself.
Download
Computed alignment
Preview only. The template you print is the downloaded PDF, where the calibration factors are applied. Cut along the record-edge arc, cut the two red lines, fold on the dashed line and press snugly over the spindle. Anti-skate off. Set the stylus down gently at several points along the arc, never slide it. When it lands on the arc everywhere, square the cartridge sides to either grid, or centre the cantilever between the two fine sight lines, viewing from directly above with one eye.
Tracking error & distortion
Tracking error is the angle between the cartridge axis and the groove tangent; it is zero only at the two null radii. Distortion is the resulting second-harmonic distortion for a recording at 8 cm/s peak lateral velocity (it scales with level), and it is the figure the classic alignments actually optimise: dividing the error by the groove radius is what makes the inner grooves the critical region. The bold curve is your selected geometry; the faint curves show the other three for comparison. The chart PDF prints both views with the comparison table.
As mounted (setup deviation)
How much does mounting precision matter? Enter a deviation from the computed geometry, e.g. a cartridge sitting 1 mm short of the ideal overhang, or twisted half a degree in the headshell, and the resulting curve joins the chart and the table above.