Hi, Naim community, just got a Naim Solstice turntable and struggling to setup the tonearm especially height, the problem is that the stylus is touching the record with the arm lift lever all the way up, in the same time the bubble level is showing the correct level setting. I did all the adjustments like VTF, Azimuth followed the instructions from manual and some other info. and I know about the VTA adjustment and set screw on the back, as I understand if small bubble level is in correct center position that mean VTA is correct, but still have issue with height, and sleep mat is the default .
Does anyone who owns this turntable had an issues with height of the tonearm ? or any help with this issue would be appreciated.
@exiton3 No need to worry- you got this! The arm does appear to be tilted backwards….
You are lucky because you own a “costly and limited edition turntable” which has the facilities to correct and adjust VTA. Unlike some simpler designs, like a Rega for example, which do not allow for simple adjustment of arm height.
Refer to your manual pg.18. You will need to unscrew the set screw in the rear of the arm base. Then rotate the VTA adjustment knob , the tall pillar to the left of the arm cup, to raise the level of the arm assembly. Try to raise until the arm tube appears parallel to the surface of the record when cartridge is engaging the record. Then check your VTF again. Reset to desired tracking force by rotating counter weight at rear of arm. View the cartridge body from the side- it should be parallel to record surface when cartridge is engaging the record.Your photo shows the cartridge body canted backwards. Check with bubble level on top of arm cup.
If this still results in the same situation you currently have, then you will need to adjust the lift mechanism -it may be too low. The lifter has a set screw on the inner left side of the cylinder. If you cannot see it, it is blocked by the protruding base of the arm. There is another, larger, set screw in the base to release the lifting mechanism cylinder. Unscrew and gently tease the cylinder upwards until you can see the inner, smaller, set screw. Loosen this smaller set screw- this allows you to raise the horizontal member of the lift mechanism. Raise this horizontal arm until the cartridge stylus is about 3-5mm above the record surface when in a “UP” position.. (as your photo shows ).
Recheck VTF and make sure bubble level is centered when stylus is engaging record surface ( record is not rotating during this ). That should do it-good luck!
You are welcome! Just go about it slowly when you have plenty of time on hand. These adjustments are a bit consuming but definitely worth your time and effort as you will now have a better understanding of your turntable in the end. Check and recheck as you move along and you will get to the finish line.
Welcome to the Forum and enjoy your new turntable, its a good one
Congratulations. It’s a very good TT when it is Spot on with all the adjustments. So I hope you have managed to get it set up correctly now.
I was very fortunate in that I bought mine Brand New from Acoustica Chester (including a chord signature x analogue din to din interconnect). The reason for posting this is that Acoustica asked Simon their technical colleague to come and set it up for me out of the box. I certainly don’t think that I could have done this myself. So hats off to you sir!
I love the TT. It’s a beautiful piece of kit, both musically and I think, aesthetically (I know some disagree!). Perhaps unrelated to your post but just as a bit of my experience in using it, I have been using a chord Sarum T din to din (on my NDX2) and the signature x on the solstice. I wasn’t expecting much by doing this but I transferred the Sarum T to the Solstice. A huge improvement. The Signature X is really very good but the improved performance of the Sarum T is striking and has brought my vinyl into another dimension.
So just a few thoughts, probably not that useful but hopefully now you too are a proud owner of a high end and limited edition TT, you may want to explore ways of maximising its potential. I am going for a cartridge upgrade next. There is a lot on the forum about members’ experiences. Looks like the DV’s and Lyra’s are the best upgrades….and expensive ones
I’ve had this TT since it first came out - just now getting around to installing it … lots has happened…
@exiton3 - any chance of sending photos of what it looks like now after you did the adjustments? What set screw in the rear did you have to loosen? Did you have to tighten it after doing the adjustment, or does it have to stay loose?
In what order do these settings have to be made? there is the tracking force, anti-skate, VTA and Azimuth…
I for instance am trying out various azimuth angles - but it seems its still not perfectly horizontal from the front..
Hi, sorry for a slight deviation from this thread and apologies to the OP in advance. This is the only thread that I could find that is still live on the subject of Solstice. Also this may be still relevant in terms of a Solstice owner within itself.
I have a question here if I may - can the Equinox cartridge still be purchased separately now that the Solstice is EOL?
Hi Richard, my Naim dealer has informed me that the current stock is good. Fantastic news, as i will most certainly replacing like for like when the time comes. Thank you.
