12 Step Premium Turntable & Phono Cartridge Calibration:

• Fully unpack, assemble, and calibrate the cartridge on your turntable.  
• Mount and calibrate cartridge taking into account:
• Headshell selection for optimal compliance
• Platter mat thickness
• Calibration method most suited for your record collection - including Bearwald, Stevenson, or Loefgren.
• Inspect and photograph the stylus using our high-power microscope to document and provide pictures in your report.

The 12 Steps:

1. Level the turntable.
2. Test 33, 45, and 78 RPM speeds to ensure they each perform within spec.
3. Set the cartridge overhang using a Dr. Feickert Analogue protractor and gauge.
4. Set the exact stylus tracking force with a made and calibrated in Japan digital gauge.
5. Set the VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) with a gauge block or digital microscope. Set lifter height.
6. Align the stylus for correct zenith using a Dr. Feickert protractor or WallyTractor.
7. Confirm correct left and right channel orientation using a test record.
8. Test for proper phasing (polarity) using a test record.
9. Set the anti-skate.
10. Set the azimuth using a Fosgate Fozgometer (V2) or UPL Analyzer.
11. Confirm tracking ability using test record torture tracks. Provide a photo of the oscilloscope readout.
12. Measure and record compliance, and adjust headshell mass if required for optimal matching.

Turntables that undergo our calibration process are shipped with the headshell and counterweight removed. We provide a digital scale for setting stylus tracking force, along with clear instructions. Total setup time upon arrival should be no more than 15 minutes.

We'll also provide a printout continuing the detailed results, recommended specs, and photos.

In our photos is an example report showing a typical calibration.  

SkyFi Calibration and Testing Rig

Some of the Tools Used:

Setting the Machine Level:

 

Confirming Speeds:

Setting the Appropriate Record Height Before VTA

Calculating Total System Weight:

Formula for Calculating Compliance:

Inspecting and Documenting Cartridge Health:

Setting the Overhang With Feickert:

SETTING THE TRACKING FORCE

SETTING THE VTA (VISUAL VERSION)

MEASURING STYLUS RAKE ANGLE

ADJUSTING THE ZENITH 

TESTING AZIMUTH WITHT FOZGOMETER

UPL ANALYZER USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH FOZGOMETER TO MAXIMIZE STEREO SEPARATION 

TESTING TRACKING ABILITY

TEST RIG IN ACTION

DOCUMENTATION FOR CLIENT

CRITICAL LISTENING FOR L/R, PHASING AND QUALITY

SECURING THE HEADSHELL FOR SHIPPING

Careful Packing and Instructions: