How do I balance the tonearm on my turntable?

Received a new turntable from SHS, but unsure of how to balance its tonearm?

In this guide, we’ll show you how...

Do I Need to Balance my Tonearm?

On the initial set-up of your turntable, balancing its tonearm ensures that it applies the correct amount of pressure on the stylus which reads your records.

Applying too much pressure will wear your records and stylus prematurely, whereas setting the weight too light will see the stylus skip and scratch your treasured records.

The following guidelines will help set up any of the turntables we sell on the SHS Website.

Balancing Audio-Technica Turntables

The steps below apply to the following Audio-Technica models:

• AT-LP120XUSB & AT-LP120XBTUSB
• AT-LP3
• AT-LP140XP
• AT-LPW30TK & AT-LPW50PB
• AT-LP5

1

Attach the counterweight to the back of the tonearm.

2

Carefully remove the stylus guard. And if fitted, unclip the tonearm securing hook.

3

Safely lift the tonearm by the headshell, then hold it securely above the platter.

4

Turn the counterweight clockwise so that it travels towards the front of the tonearm.

5

Carefully see if the tonearm holds its own balance (like a seesaw), coveting the headshell in case it wants to fall. Once the balance is found, return the tonearm to its rest.

6

Reset the counterweight’s outer dial to ‘0’. Observe the manufacturer’s correct cartridge weight and turn the whole weight and dial to match the recommended value.

7

Match the same value on the anti-skate control for optimum calibration.

Balancing Rega Planar 1 & Planar 1 Plus Turntables

1

Carefully unpack your Rega turntable and assemble it according to the owner’s manual.

2

Remove the counterweight from its packaging, then push it onto the back of the tonearm.

3

Twist clockwise until it reaches the stop - the tonearm is now balanced to factory spec.

The anti-skate value for both Rega Planar 1 and Planar 1 Plus turntables is preset at the factory.

Balancing Rega Planar 2 Turntables

1

Carefully unpack the Rega Planar 2 and assemble it according to the owner’s manual.

2

Remove the counterweight from its packaging, then put it onto the back of the tonearm.

3

Observing the thread on the tonearm, push on and turn the counterweight clockwise.

4

Now see if the tonearm has its own natural balance, or adjust the weight until it’s found.

5

Once the balance has been found, observe the ‘dimple’ in the counterweight.

6

Rotate the weight clockwise by one rotation so that the same dimple is seen again - the process is now complete.

Value ‘1’ on the Planar 2’s anti-skate control should be adequate when the Planar 2 is used with its standard pre-fitted Rega Carbon cartridge.

Turntables that Don’t Need to be Balanced

Here’s a list of turntables we sell that don’t need their tonearms balanced because they have been already preset at the factory:

• Sony PS-LX310BT
• Audio-Technica AT-LP60XUSB
• Audio-Technica AT-LP60XBT

We understand that turntables can be a bit of a minefield, but just let us know if you have any questions at all.

We can be contacted on 0800 677 1100, Live Chat or info@smarthomesounds.co.uk