Rega Research RB-300 Owners manual

The Rega RB300 tonearm is a precision crafted product. To create the low friction levels and meet minimum mass requirements many parts
of the arm are delicate and require careful handling. The arm should always be treated with respect and under no cir cumstances should any
part be removed or tampered with.

In most cases it is advisable that the dealer fits this arm to your turntable. If the user fits the arm and causes any damage to the arm,
cartridge or turntable then obviously it is his responsibility. If the dealer does this then it is his responsibility. He should also be able to advise
should there be any subsequent problems with the rest of the system.

The following instructions are for the dealer.

PREPARING THE TURNTABLE

Before attempting to fit the Rega arm to a turntable it is important to ensure that there is sufficient clearance beneath the turntable and
that the arm does not hit the lid top or sides. The arm requires a minimum clearance of 70 mm from the top of the record to the bottom of
the arm assembly.

Having checked that there is sufficient clearance in all directions the next step is to find the position of the centre of the arm mounting
hole. The easiest way to do this will probably be to use the arm mounting template supplied:

1. The template should be kept flat and not bent.

2. Fit the hole over the record centre spindle of the turntable.

3. Position the other end of the template so that the clearance arc is within the rear and side edges of the turntable base (and the lid
when closed). Also check that there is at least 250 mm clearance from the arm hole centre to the inside front edge of the turntable lid.

4. Use a long pointed probe such as a needle and push it through the `arm hole centre' on the template. Keep the needle perpendicular
to the template and mark the position of the arm hole centre on the turntable.

5. Having marked the centre, check again that if the arm is placed in this position it will clear the underside of the turntable and the lid.
Also check that the ar m is in a satisfactory position to ensure easy operation and that the position is pleasing aesthetically. When you
are one hundred per cent certain that the arm hole centre is in its correct position (exactly 222 mm from the record centre) you can
then drill the arm hole.

6. The arm mounting pillar is 23 mm diameter and a hole of this size will provide a tight, snug fit.

7. With the hole drilled, all is ready to fit the arm to the turntable. Ensure that you also follow the turntable manufacturer's instruc tions

regarding arm fitting. Each individual turntable manufacturer may have different requirements regarding positioning of the arm signal
lead, etc.

ARM HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

The arm is supplied with one stainless steel spacer to increase the height of the arm As a dealer you should also have some
spare spacers in stock.

The arm is designed so that the rear of the arm should be as close to the arm mounting board as possible On the Rega
Planar 3 and the Linn Sondek turntables no spacers should be necessary and none should be fitted. On some other models
of turntable it may be necessary to use between one and three spacers to achieve the correct height If more than three
spacers are necessary then it is a better solution that the turntable manufacturer or the dealer make up one single spacer of
the correct height This should be made from stainless steel and the faces touching the arm and arm board should be
accurately machined flat.

The arm height is correct when the arm appears to be parallel to the record or appears to slope downwards slightly away
from the cartridge The only limit to the arm sloping backwards is if the cartridge tends to touch warped records

Under no circumstances adjust the arm to achieve a hypothetical correct V T A (vertical tracking angle) for the cartridge

CARTRIDGE ALIGNMENT

At this stage roughly check the cartridge alignment using the cartridge alignment protractor supplied When everything
appears to be correct the arm can be permanently fitted to the arm mounting board The arm fixing nut should be reasonably
tight (Note that with all retail arms a sleeved nut is supplied) This sleeve is designed to fit into the larger diameter hole on old
Rega Planar 3 turntables When fitting the arm to any other turntable invert the nut so that the sleeve is facing downwards
WARNING Do not use the bias housing as a spanner when tightening the arm fixing nut.

Cartridge alignment may now be more accurately checked and the cartridge permanently fitted The cartridge fitting screws
should be made as tight as possible using the special small allen key supplied taking care not to damage the cartridge

CUEING PLATFORM ADJUSTMENT

The arm cueing platform will normally be set at the correct height but can be adjusted by the dealer if necessary

CARTRIDGE TRACKING FORCE ADJUSTMENT

1. Ensure that the tracking force adjustment knob is set to the zero position

2. With the cartridge permanently fitted in the correct position adjust the main balance weight so that the arm is 'floating"
with the stylus just 1 mm clear of a record. (This adjustment should be made with the anti skating knob set at zero. Note.
Even at zero there will be some small residual anti skating force Therefore it may also be necessary to gently touch the
arm bearing carrier to stop the arm moving outwards).

3. Rotate the tracking force adjustment knob to the required tracking force. If in doubt it is usually advisable to use a
tracking force that corresponds with the upper limits of the cartridge manufacturers range

ANTI-SKATING (BIAS) ADJUSTMENT
Set the bias adjustment knob to the same number as the tracking force.

Note: This setting is not critical and a figure of 1 - 1 5 g will normally be suitable for moving magnet cartridges and 1 5-2 g for
most moving coil cartridges.

FURTHER ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE NEUROTIC/ PARANOID ENTHUSIAST.

There are many hypotheses and theories regarding the accurate setting of bias compensation, cartridge alignment and VTA
All these theories exist because these adjustments are only approximations or compromises. There is no one hundred per

cent correct answer
If the previous instructions are followed carefully then the arm and cartridge are likely to perform at or near the optimum
Nevertheless other methods do exist (i.e. the use of test records for setting bias compensation and complex multiple point

alignment systems for cartridge setting) If properly understood and implemented these systems cause no harm and may be
used.

However care must be taken when using test records as these are generally designed for professional use. They are only
relevant as a comparison between different products and can lead to hi-fi paranoia if used in isolation Likewise- more
complex cartridge setting systems may be valid but are difficult to understand and if not used correctly may cause more harm
than good

So experiment if you wish but you are likely to gain more pleasure from listening to music

© 1983 Rega Research ltd