The tonearm on a turntable is responsible for holding the cartridge and stylus in place as they track the grooves of a record. If the tonearm is unbalanced, it can cause the stylus to skip or jump, which can damage your records.
Here are some signs that your tonearm may be unbalanced:
- The stylus skips or jumps while playing records.
- The sound quality is poor.
- The record appears to be warped or wobbling.
- The tonearm is not level.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to check the balance of your tonearm. Here are the steps on how to do it:
- Turn off your turntable and unplug it from the power outlet.
- Remove the headshell from the tonearm.
- Place the tonearm on a flat surface.
- Use a tracking force gauge to measure the tracking force of the tonearm.
- If the tracking force is not within the recommended range, adjust the counterweight until it is.
- Reattach the headshell to the tonearm.
- Turn on your turntable and plug it back into the power outlet.
If you have a balanced tonearm, it should be level when it is resting on a flat surface. If the tonearm is not level, you can adjust the balance weight until it is.
Once the tonearm is balanced, you should be able to play your records without any skipping or jumping. If you are still having problems, you may need to take your turntable to a qualified technician for further diagnosis and repair.
Here are some additional tips for keeping your tonearm balanced:
- Make sure that the counterweight is properly seated on the tonearm.
- Do not adjust the counterweight while the turntable is playing.
- If you are using a tracking force gauge, make sure that it is calibrated correctly.
- If you are unsure how to balance your tonearm, consult the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for assistance.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your tonearm balanced and prevent your records from being damaged. This will help you to enjoy your vinyl records for years to come.
Additional information
- The tracking force is the amount of force that the stylus applies to the record. The tracking force should be within the recommended range for your cartridge.
- The counterweight is the weight that is used to adjust the tracking force. The counterweight is usually located on the back of the tonearm.
- A tracking force gauge is a tool that is used to measure the tracking force. Tracking force gauges can be purchased from most audio retailers.