1. Use a flathead screwdriver to loosen and remove the two headshell screws on your cartridge.
2. Gently unplug the tonearm wires from the back of the cartridge one at a time.Be careful to hold the wires by the clear plastic sleeve to avoid breaking the wire when pulling.
3. Attach the tonearm wires to the new cartridge that you will be installing. Some cartridges have colored pins that show where to connect each wire. If your cartridge doesn’t have these, consult the cartridge's manual for the correct wire pattern. We recommend leaving the stylus guard on during installation to avoid damage.
4. Insert the headshell screws into the slots on the headshell and then through the slots on the cartridge. If your cartridge requires a nut to secure the screw, hold the nut in place with your hand and turn the screw until the threads catch. Make sure the screws are snug, but don't tighten them all the way yet.
5. Place your alignment protractor on the platter and remove the stylus guard. Then place the stylus onto the protractor and check that the cartridge is aligned with both points on the protractor.
6. If the cartridge is not aligned, move the cartridge forward or backward in the headshell slots until it’s aligned with both points. Keep the front of the cartridge parallel with the headshell during this step.
7. Once the cartridge is properly aligned, tighten the headshell screws.
8. Place your stylus gauge on the platter to measure the vertical tracking force (VTF). With the stylus guard removed, place the stylus on the gauge to measure VTF. Most moving magnet (MM) cartridges have a recommended VTF between 1.5-2 g, but this varies. Check your cartridge’s manual for the recommended VTF.
9. If you need to adjust VTF, loosen the thumbscrew on the counterweight. Move the counterweight backward to decrease VTF or forward to increase VTF. Once the counterweight is positioned correctly, tighten the thumbscrew to secure it in place.
10. Your cartridge is now installed and ready to play. If the stylus is brand new, it may take 10-20 hours to fully break in and sound its best.