Here is a simple step-by-step guide about how to setup your NAD turntable including platter, cartridge and belt drive installation, balancing the tonearm, setting tracking force and anti-skating adjustments, and connecting it to your stereo system.
Step 1) Placing the Turntable
Record players are designed to read every vibration in the vinyl groove, so those pesky unwanted vibrations that float around a room can really interfere with a record player’s ability to reproduce quality sound. When finding the right spot for your turntable, try to place it on a flat level surface that’s solid and not too close to your speakers.
Step 2) Install the Platter, Sub-Platter, Felt Mat and Drive Belt
Installing the Platter, Sub-Platter and Felt Mat
In the box, you'll find a platter, sub-platter and felt mat--here's what to do:
- Install the sub-platter and drive belt
- Install the platter atop the sub-platter and put the felt mat on top of the platter
Adjusting the Drive Belt
If the pulley is touching or tapping against the platter, you'll need to adjust the pulley height.
- Carefully remove the platter and drive belt from the turntable
- Using a flathead screwdriver, loosen the slotted screw and move the pully to the correct position where it's not interfering with the platter
- Tighten the screw back and place the platter and drive belt back on the turntable
- To play a 45, put the drive belt over the larger diameter part of the motor pulley using the accessory tool provided. For 33s, repeat this step but using the smaller step on the pulley.
Step 3) Set the Vertical Tracking Force (VTF)
All cartridges have a specific tracking force spec, usually ranging from 1-3 grams. Using the tracking force indicator on the tonearm or a stylus force gauge (recommended option), you can set the tracking force per the specs.
- Confirm the exact weight of your cartridge before setting the Vertical Tracking Force (VTF)
- Push the counterweight carefully towards the rear end of the counterweight support rod
- Place the stylus pressure gauge onto the platter
- Set the required VTF by lowering the tonearm lift lever and place the tip of the stylus exactly in between the two points marked 15 mN and 20 mN
- Correct pressure has been achieved if the stylus pressure gauge becomes level; if there is insufficient or excessive pressure, the stylus pressure gauge will either not move or tilt
- Adjust the amount of pressure by carefully moving the counterweight along the support rod (towards or away from the cartridge) until the stylus pressure is sufficient to raise the pressure gauge to the level position
- Secure the counterweight using the hexagonal tool provided
Step 4) Set the Anti-Skating Control
An anti-skating control adjusts for the "skating" force that pulls the tonearm towards the centre of the record as it's spinning the record and putting unequal pressure on the record grooves. This must be adjusted to the corresponding tracking force.
- Slide the pin of the anti-skating mechanism to match the corresponding tracking force. For example, if the tracking force is 1.5g, the anti-skating force is 1.5g
Step 5) Connecting and Controlling the Turntable
Now for the easy part; simply connect the turntable to your stereo system, right? No, there a couple last things you should know before you drop the needle and crank up the volume.
Connecting the Turntable
- Connect the supplied audio cable connector (RCA-to-RCA lead) to the RCA tonearm output located at the rear of the turntable (behind the tonearm)
- Connect the grounding cable to the ground post/chassis screw located at the rear of the turntable
- Connect the turntable to the phono input on your amplifier, or a phono pre-amp, using the supplied RCA-to-RCA cable
Controlling the Turntable
- Raise the dust cover (if installed) and place the record you want to listen to on the platter
- Press the button ON/OFF switch to start rotating the platter
- Lift the tonearm from its holder and slowly move it over top of record and in line with the song you want to hear
- Slowly lower the tonearm and cartridge towards the record until it sits inside a groove
- Select the correct input on your amplifier and listen for music to start playing
Step 6) Optional: Install/Upgrade the Cartridge
Most of our cartridges are pre-installed with the tonearm, but some NAD turntables may require you to manually install the cartridge. This is also helpful if you ever want to upgrade or change the turntable’s cartridge in the future.
- Install the cartridge into the aluminium headshell using the appropriate hardware included with the cartridge
- Connect the cartridge to by connecting; the White wire to the Left Channel L+, the Red wire to the Right Channel +R, the Green wire to the Right Channel -R, and the Blue wire to the Left Channel -L
- Use the supplied paper cartridge alignment tool with two null points to properly align the cartridge
To upgrade or change the cartridge, simply loosen the existing cartridge using the appropriate hardware, disconnect the wires, remove it from the headshell, and then follow the install instructions for the cartridge you are upgrading to.