search didn't turn up anything. what are your opinions of the Mobile Fidelity Geo-Disc alignment tool? :scratch2:

Hi, Well, I'll chime in here as I have one, and have had it for about 9 years.

Some will say there are better devices, but I like the Geo-Disc, it's fairly simple to use, and I feel accurate enough, but there's two little "catches" to using one.

One, the raised reference line that must be pointed dead on towards the exact center of the ToneArm's Pivot can be a little bit of a "interpretation", meaning that to your eyes, it might look dead on, and to mine, I might say it looks like it's pointing a hair to the left, or right.

The other, is dependant on the Cartridge that is mounted. Some which have squarish bodies like say a Grado should be a breeze to get properly aligned on the alignment grid on the GeoDisc. Other's, which have odd shapes to them will be a bit harder to interpet that the cartridge is square to the Alignment Grid.

None the less, I've found the Geodisc in actual use to be very good, provided one takes his/her time, and gets things aligned at best as one can before cinching down the Cartridge Screws. Always check again, making sure nothing has moved from your acquired positioning.

I hope others will come along, and mention some other choices for you, as I'm sure there is better out there. Naturally, there's other setting that the Geodisc may aid, such as Azimuth Settings, but this can probably also be accomplished just as well, by just using an LP.

As always, no matter what device, and methods are used, there'll always be a compromise anyway, due to the fact that there's always going to be inherit error with any Pivoting Tonearm, no matter who makes it, or how expensive.

Lastly, the Geodisc is not a product that one will need to yank out that often, and will be used only when acquiring a new Table, Arm, and/or Cartdridge, but I feel this item, just like Stylus Force gauges, and stylus maintenence tools such as a stylus brush, (and cleaner if needed) are items that should be in any Auiophile's arsenal.

Mark

I agree with what Mark said, one additional feature... I like the two little ridges marked D and E for a second way to check for proper allignment. You actually check for the line up of the cantelever along these two points looking at from the front. It's a nice double check since, as Mark mentioned, some cartridge bodies are hard to line up on a grid.