Which geometry for a new cartridge on a Rega?

[chebby]

I am getting a new cartridge soon for my Rega P2 and would like to know from other Rega P* users which geometry they favour, Stevenson or Baerwald?

I have printed off both Stevenson and Baerwald Arc protractors for a Rega (222mm arm pivot to spindle distance) and pasted to card from here... http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge-alignment-protractors.shtml ... and ensured the print was not 're-scaled'. (reference measurements are exact even after pasting.)

I have read a little on the theory of both geometries. The Baerwald emphasises that the distortion at three points (beginning of LP, middle and end) should all be equal, whereas the Stevenson geometry emphasises that distortion should be at a minimum towards the end of a side where such distortion has the most audible effect.

Rega themselves favour the Stevenson geometry when factory fitting their own cartridges and their one-point protractor reflects this.

Assuming the new cartridge (on the P2's RB250) has enough movement in the headshell slots to allow both, with correct overhang, which geometry would you use?

Or rather, which geometry DO you use? (Stevenson & Baerwald geometries are applicable to all turntables so I assume this decision is made quite regularly.)

Comment from WHF experts would also be most welcome. (Clare? You are an avid vinyl junkie I seem to remember.)

Thanks.

 

[chebby]

Some of you align your own cartridges don't you?

I must admit the last one I did was about 10 years ago or more (Goldring 1042 on a Rega Planar 3) but I was ignorant of Baerwald vs Stevenson geometry back then and just used the alignment card provided by Rega.

This time I want to explore the two different geometries and see what difference it makes (especially on last tracks). When I get the new cart I will probably practice with with my Rega Bias 2 first to get back into the swing of it. (Tweezers and cocktail stick and allen key & wife's desk magnifier all primed and ready for action!)

 

[gwynne61]

I'm in a similar situation here, have just bought a Rega P3-24 and would appreciate some guidance too. I've aligned my Ortofon 2M Red using Hi-fi World's alignment protractor which seems to do a good job, but if either of the above are better wouldn't mind trying.

One point is that the cartridge seems bigger than average and the cueing arm does not lift it onto or off the record! Is this a feature of the cartridge's size or have I done something wrong, it plays beautifully otherwise.

 

[chebby]

Get yourself a 1.27mm allen key (from B&Q) and loosen the little grub screw on the arm cueing platform, then raise the platform just a little.

 

[gwynne61]

Thanks for the help, thats the small circlular shaped hole just below the plastic top of the platform which seems to be attatched to a brass coloured shaft? Sorry to be dull but don't want to mess with the wrong thing on a £400 turntable!

 

[chebby]

Yep thats it

 

[gwynne61]

Thanks Chebby, shame my allen keys are old school, trip to B & Q beckons! Now for the alignment.

 

[gwynne61]

Managed to get an allen key no thanks to a B&Q muppet - "they don't make them that size"!!

Sourced it at a local tool and fastener vendor for 22p

. The cueing problem is now solved. Have tried the Baerweld alignment, which spookily matched the set up I had and was happy with so will stick with it.

 

[chebby]

great. my 1.27mm allen key cost 28p

 

[chebby]

If your set-up is 'Baerwald' then I expect the cartridge is quite far forward in the slots and poking out from under the front of the headshell a bit (assuming your cartridge is a typical size) due to the Baerwald overhang being a bit longer.

 

[gwynne61]

It's a Ortofon 2M Red, which is quite large compared to my previous AT110E, it fits flush at the front of the headshell. The set up was unbelievably easy, literally just attatch the leads, line up the front of the cart and tighten up. I initially used HIFI Choices protractor, but also checked it with a Baerwald one from the Vinyl Engine

 

[chebby]

gwynne61:It's a Ortofon 2M Red, which is quite large compared to my previous AT110E, it fits flush at the front of the headshell. The set up was unbelievably easy, literally just attatch the leads, line up the front of the cart and tighten up.

I having been reading up on the Ortofon 2M Blue since your update gwynne61 and all the reviews so far have been very positive (including WHF).

I cannot help but notice the Ortofon 2M shape seems just made for a Rega RB series headshell...

Ortofon themselves make a point of saying they had.... "optimized the design for ease of mounting the cartridge, weight and size to fit the most common turntables at the market today."

This tallys with what 'gwynne61' says about his 2M Red fitting flush at the front of his Rega headshell.