Stylus Alignment Settings
1. Zenith - Offset Angle
2. Azimuth
3. SRA - Stylus Rake Angle & VTA - Vertical Tracking Angle
4. VTF - Vertical Tracking Force
5. Anti Skating / Bias
Zenith - Offset Angle
The angle of the stylus within the groove as viewed from above.
Azimuth
The angle of the stylus within the groove as seen from the front of the stylus.
SRA - Stylus Rake Angle & VTA - Vertical Tracking Angle
The angle of the stylus within the groove as seen from the side of the stylus.
VTF - Vertical Tracking Force
Vertical Tracking Force is the applied weight in grams to the stylus as it tracks the groove of the record. Every cartridge has a manufacturers recommended VTF to achieve the best balance of force applied to the cantilever and stylus tip.
Anti Skating / Bias
As the stylus tracks the vinyl records groove there is a rotational force pulling the stylus inwards towards the centre of the record and predominantly to the side of the inner groove wall which contains left channel information.
Inner Groove Wall = Left Channel
Outer Groove Wall = Right Channel
To counteract this force described as ‘Skating’ or ‘Rotational Bias’ there is a setting on the tonearm called Anti-Skating or Bias control.
Hifiology - Quicklinks
Record Player, Record Deck, Turntable
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/record-player-record-deck-turntable/
The Stylus - Shapes, Types
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-stylus-shapes-types/
The Stylus - Needle in the Groove
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-stylus-needle-in-the-groove/
The Cartridge - Moving Magnet or Coil
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-cartridge-moving-magnet-or-coil/
The Cartridge - The Assembly
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-cartridge-the-assembly/
The Tonearm - Shapes & Sizes
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-tonearm-shapes-sizes/
The Tonearm - Geometry & terms
https://www.thelisteningsuite.ie/the-tonearm-geometry-terms/
The Phonostage