====================================================== Formula 4 Model PL S4/D Professional Laboratory Silicone-damped Pick-up Arm ======================================================
[diagram of arm]
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS - USE EXTREME CARE --------------------------------------------
1. Using template provided select point 209 mm from turntable spindle at which arm base (item 11) will be located. The rear overhang of the arm must have a minimum of 65 mm (2.56") clearance from obstructions behind the mounting board (lid, etc.).
2. At the mounting point drill a hole 25 mm (1") diameter to accept arm base (item 11).
3. Position base on mounting hole with one rubber grommet above and the other below mounting board with washer and then tighten hexagonal nut with fingers only. Base must be reasonably firm but do not overtighten with spanner. From underneath deck push up audio lead moulded plug through base hole, insert into bottom of central pillar and then lower pillar back into the base hole and secure with knurled screw.
4. Fit arm rest in suitable position in 6 mm (1/4") hole. Always remove arm tube from rest very gently with fingers around arm rest support and under tube. Never use headshell finger lift when tube is pushed home into the rest.
5. Audio lead must not be constricted below plinth and it must not exert any pressure on the arm base. Connect the earth wire to ground terminal on amplifier together with an earth wire from turntable chassis. Note: there must be no other ground connection and the system must be connected to main ground by one path only, usually from amplifier to the earth pin of the mains (U.K.). Additional paths to ground will increase hum.
6. Place eccentric counterweight on rear of arm tube.
7. Install cartridge in headshell (item 1). It is essential to protect stylus at all times during installation and adjustment. Be extremely careful when pusing connectors on to the cartridge pins with tweezers. Select screws of appropriate length. Fit the nuts. The colour code of leads is:
R channel signal: red R channel ground: green L channel signal: white L channel ground: blue
SETTING UP PROCEDURES ---------------------
1. Unscrew perspex dome from alloy hub (item 5) (may already be removed in some packs). Attached to this component is (item 8) bias weight holder connected by a thread and adjustable unipivot (item 6).
2. It can now be observed that the top of the central pillar or column consists of a reservoir with a jewelled bearing at the bottom. It can also be seen that there is a cut out in the central column into which the arm tube projects slightly. This cut out must be positioned so that the arm tube (item 2) will move freely from outer edge of record inwards to turntable spindle.
3. Partially fill the reservoir with silicone fluid supplied which should come to 1/4" below the top with the pivot pin in place. It is preferable that the silicone fluid oil does not come into contact with the outside of the hub as it is sticky and migratory and may effect the bias thread.
4. Prior to screwing the perspex dome back into place, check to ensure that the pivot (item 6) is properly adjusted. The ground point of the pivot should be sighted in line with the centre of the groove on the bottom of the transparent perspex dome. The pivot is threaded and has a lock-nut for this purpose. This adjustment not only ensures freedom of lateral and vertical movement but also calibrates the point at which the bias force is applied so that it is in the same horizontal plane as that on which the pivot point occurs.
5. Having fitted the perspex dome into place, the thread of the bias weight holder (item 8) should be positioned along the groove at the bottom of the dome and then put into the groove of the bias bearing. The bias bearing component (item 9) can be adjusted vertically and laterally in order that the thread is arranged at an angle of approx. 90 degrees to the hub in both planes.
6. VERTICAL & HORIZONTAL BALANCE. These adjustments are made with the arm in a state of even balance and the cursor (item 3) should be back against the rear pimple nearest the hub. It is advisable at this time to ensure that the turntable and mounting board are perfectly level. Bringing the arm to vertical and horizontal balance is merely a matter of moving the eccentric decoupled counterweight (item 7) backwards or forwards for vertical balance and rotating it for horizontal balance until the bottom edge of the alloy hub is lined up parallel to the edge of the metal stopper ring (item 12).
7. TRACKING FORCE is achieved by sliding the cursor (item 3) along the calibrated tube, each small indentation represents 0.1 gram, each red dot 0.5 gram. Using knurled screw in arm base adjust height until the arm tube is parallel to the record surface. Correct height will leave sufficient room for cursor to traverse whilst tracking a warped record. (See note under tracking error re tracking forces). Ensure audio lead is not exerting pressure on arm base.
8. HYDRAULIC LIFT & LOWER DEVICE -- the entire platform (item 10) can be moved towards record centre (approx 20 degrees) for accurate cueing. The height can be adjusted up or downwards by means of a grub screw located in front of the platform. Care must be taken not to strip the thread.
9. TRACKING ERROR -- use alignment protractor supplied for zero tracking error at 2.375" (60.325 mm) from record centre. See that cartridge is set correctly in headshell and ensure that the stylus is perpendicular to record as seen from the front. Adjustment in accordance with these instructions does not imply that the stylus tip is perpendicular to the groove when viewed from the side. Normally it will be at a small angle of rake nominally 15 degrees from the vertical when under its correct tracking pressure in accordance with the cartridge manufacturer's recommended tracking force requirement. Check stylus pressure with a good gauge in case the arm has not been exactly balanced correctly or it may be slightly out of perfect balance due to subsequent adjustments.
10. BIAS COMPENSATION -- a set of weights is supplied which correspond to tracking force. Quantities as follows: 0.1 gram (1), 0.2 gram (2), 0.5 gram (1), 1 gram (2), 3 gram (1). Further bias adjustments will require the use of a test record and minute adjustment can be effected as required.
N.B. Slim-line plinths require larger feet than are normally supplied to allow sufficient clearance for audio lead. Small 1" rubber door- stops are good substitute feet. Unless already provided for in the underneath bottom cover of the plinth directly below the pick-up arm mounting, cut a hole approx. 2" in diameter through which the audio lead may pass completely unrestricted.
SPECIFICATIONS --------------
Effective length (stylus pivot): 224 mm
Rear overhang required: 65 mm
Height adjustment: 45 mm
Effective mass (as seen by stylus): 4.50 gram nominal+variable
Audio output lead length: 4'6" (137 cm)
Audio output lead capacitance: 112 pF (with phono plugs)
Tracking force: 0 - 3.5 grams
Pivot: inverted hardened steel pin pivoting on jewelled bearing damped by silicone fluid
Pivot friction: Less than 5 Mgm. in any plane measured at the headshell
Mayware Ltd. 15 Heather Walk, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 9TS England