Technics sl-1200 mk2 Question?

Question

What is the correct height for the arm on an technics sl-1200mk2 turntable? Not the weight that is on the back of the arm. Also, where is the marker to go by to make sure that it is set correctly?

Answer 1

The correct height for the tonearm is that which provides the correct vertical tracking angle (VTA) for the stylus.  That's the angle between the cantilever and the record.  This should be set so that the stylus tip (not the cantilever) should point down to the record at a 90 degree angle when the tracking force is correctly set, as did the cutter head that made the original disk.  

In practice, that is best attained by setting the height so that the cartridge is level, and not tipped forward or back.  If it has a vertical front like a Grado, then that should be perpendicular to the record. So, the tonearm height is entirely determined by the cartridge height.  The taller the cartridge, the higher the tonearm should be.  More iffy is to just check that the tonearm is parallel to the record...not as exact, right? Probably good enough, because...

The importance of VTA is somewhat controversial.  Some makers (of turntables that don't allow VTA adjustment!) say you don't need to adjust VTA, since an extra 0.1g of tracking force or the difference in record thickness alters the VTA as much as some adjustments. Just warming up the room 5 degrees loosens the stylus suspension and drops the stylus lower reducing the VTA.  IME, VTA is not nearly as important for sound, tracking or longevity of records as the tracking force.

After setting the tracking force to whatever the cartridge maker recommends (try the ranges), set anti-skating, then check the VTA by sight. There may be VTA gauges out there, but I haven't seen one.