Ortofon - HiFi Accessory Pack

Five setup and maintenance tools in one pouch — level, alignment, tracking force, and both record and stylus cleaning.

Four things actually determine whether a cartridge performs properly and survives its rated life: whether the turntable is level, whether the cartridge is aligned, whether the tracking force is right, and whether the stylus and records are clean. This pack covers all four, which makes it the natural companion to a new cartridge.

Inside are five tools. A bubble level for getting the plinth and platter accurately level, because every other setting is measured from a level starting point. A carbon fibre record brush for lifting dust out of the groove before you play. A fibre stylus brush for keeping the tip clean, which extends stylus life as well as improving what you hear. A cartridge alignment tool for setting the geometry in the headshell. And a stylus pressure gauge for dialling in tracking force. They come stored in a transparent vinyl pouch.

Bought individually these come to more than the pack costs, and more to the point, most people buy them one at a time over several years and set their cartridge up badly in the meantime.

Features

• Five tools covering the whole setup and maintenance job
• Bubble level — for levelling the plinth and platter
• Carbon fibre record brush — for dust removal before playing
• Fibre stylus brush — for keeping the stylus tip clean
• Cartridge alignment tool — for setting cartridge geometry
• Stylus pressure gauge — for setting tracking force
• Supplied in a transparent vinyl pouch
• The natural companion to a new cartridge purchase

Specifications

• Type: Turntable setup and maintenance accessory pack
• Contents: Five items — a bubble level, a carbon fibre record brush, a fibre stylus brush, a cartridge alignment tool and a stylus pressure gauge
• Storage: Transparent vinyl pouch
• What It Covers: Turntable levelling, cartridge alignment, tracking force, record cleaning and stylus cleaning — the four parameters that determine whether a cartridge performs and survives
• Cleaning Fluids: Ortofon does not recommend solvents of any kind for cleaning either the record surface or the stylus. Its stated reason is specific: solvents may damage the stylus cement, and interior parts of the cartridge can be seriously affected by solvent intrusion. Ortofon adds that its warranty service will not be valid where such treatment has caused a cartridge to malfunction. For records specifically, Ortofon does permit lukewarm demineralised water with a dash of sulphonic soap, used in minimal amounts — but that is for the record only, never the stylus
• Origin: Ortofon A/S, Nakskov, Denmark
• Not Published: Which specific alignment tool and pressure gauge are included — Ortofon does not state whether these are the standard or premium alignment tool, nor whether the gauge is the mechanical pivot scale or the digital DS-3. On price the standard tool and mechanical gauge are near-certain, but Ortofon does not confirm it and this listing does not claim a DS-3; total weight or package dimensions; whether printed instructions are included
• Note: This pack contains no screwdriver. If you are fitting a cartridge from scratch you will also want the HiFi Maintenance Set, which includes one — the two products overlap only in the stylus brush