What is the tonearm setting - Technics SL-BD20D Turntable

Has the tip broken off the stylus?

Basically, like almost any other turntable.

Look up the recommended tracking force for your cartridge/stylus.

Unplug the power to the turntable.
Using the tonearm elevation control, raise the tonearm.
Manually move the tonearm in toward the platter.
Manually rotate the platter ClockWise a few turns to disengage any cueing mechanisms.
Set the Tracking and Anti-skating controls to 0.
Disengage the tonearm elevation control. The tonearm will either float or drop. This is why we have no power, just in case it hits the platter.
Adjust the counterweight until the tonearm floats exactly horizontal. Use the flat portion of the tonarm rest as a gauge.
Return the tonearm to its rest.
Dial in the prescribed tracking force and anti-skating. Play records.


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Basically, like almost any other turntable.

Look up the recommended tracking force for your cartridge/stylus.
Unplug the power to the turntable.
Using the tonearm elevation control, raise the tonearm.
Manually move the tonearm in toward the platter.
Manually rotate the platter ClockWise a few turns to disengage any cueing mechanisms.
Set the Tracking and Anti-skating controls to 0.
Disengage the tonearm elevation control. The tonearm will either float or drop. This is why we have no power, just in case it hits the platter.
Adjust the counterweight until the tonearm floats exactly horizontal. Use the flat portion of the tonarm rest as a gauge.
Return the tonearm to its rest.
Dial in the prescribed tracking force and anti-skating. Play records.

I can't find the specific turntable. Who makes it?

This should work with some modifications for your specific controls...

Make a note of the tracking force setting.

Make sure the turntable is level.

Unplug the power to the turntable.

Using the tonearm elevation control, raise the tonearm.

Manually move the tonearm in toward the platter.

Manually rotate the platter ClockWise a few turns to disengage any cueing mechanisms.

Set the Stylus Pressure/Tracking setting to 0.

Disengage the tonearm elevation control. The tonearm will either float or drop. This is why we have no power, just in case it hits the platter.

Adjust the counterweight until the tonearm floats exactly horizontal. Use the flat portion of the tonarm rest as a gauge.

Return the tonearm to its rest.

Dial in the prescribed tracking force on the Stylus Pressure/Tracking control. Play records.

If you have a guard for the stylus, consider using it or be very careful with the following.
To balance the tonearm, rotate the counterweight at the back of the tonearm one way or the other until the arm floats - doesn't go up or down, just sits there level. Set the scale to zero.
THEN, rotate it inward (clockwise when viewed from the back) until it is correct for your cartrridge. If you're not sure of a correct setting, start with 1.5 gm and see how that goes.
If the TT has an anti-skate adjustment (a small knob with scale around the base of the tonearm, set that to whatever you set the tonearm pressure for.
If it still doesn't track OK, add pressure in 1/4 gm increments but do not exceed 2 gm in all but very rare cases.

That is correct, your tonearm needs to be replaced.

By adjusting that top screw on the tonearm, you only made the problem worse. It's very hard to realign that screw, as those are machine calibrated, and once tampered with, almost impossible to get back to exact factory settings. We recommend replacement of the entire Technics tonearm.

- OPTiC
Master Tech, 1200s.com
Technics Parts : DJ Gear Repairs

Here's a procedure for setting the tonearm...

Look up the recommended tracking force for your cartridge/stylus.

Unplug the power to the turntable and place it on a perfectly level surface.
Set the Tracking Force and AntiSkating to 0.
Using the tonearm elevation control, raise the tonearm.
Manually move the tonearm in toward the platter.
Manually rotate the platter Clockwise a few turns to disengage any cueing mechanisms.
Disengage the tonearm elevation control. The tonearm will either float or drop. This is why we have no power, just in case it hits the platter.
Adjust the counterweight until the tonearm floats exactly horizontal. Use the flat portion of the tonarm rest as a gauge.
Return the tonearm to its rest.
If you don't have a Stylus Tracking Force Gauge. Dial in the prescribed tracking force and a corresponding anti-skate reading. Play records.

I don't have anything on that model but general advice would be to...

Try to grab the belt with something soft without sharp edges - say, a loop of yarn or ribbon. Rotate the opening in the platter over to the drive pulley (generally about the 7-8 o'clock position when viewed from the front) and using the ribbon gently stretch the belt over it. If it catches remove the ribbon and manually rotate the platter clockwise about 5-10 turns to seat it and reset any cueing mechanisms. If it's still on and tensioned replace the plate and go to the balancing act.

Look up the recommended tracking force for your cartridge/stylus.

Unplug the power to the turntable and place it on a perfectly level surface.
Using the tonearm elevation control, raise the tonearm.
Manually move the tonearm in toward the platter.
Manually rotate the platter ClockWise a few turns to disengage any cueing mechanisms.
Set the Tracking Force to 0.
Disengage the tonearm elevation control. The tonearm will either float or drop. This is why we have no power, just in case it hits the platter.
Adjust the counterweight until the tonearm floats exactly horizontal. Use the flat portion of the tonarm rest as a gauge.
Return the tonearm to its rest.
Dial in the prescribed tracking force and a corresponding anti-skate reading. Play records.

A new stylus should not change the tone arm balance setting if it is the correct stylus.

Does your arm have a sliding balance weight at the rear of the arm? If so you can slide this slightly towards the cartridge to regain the correct playing weight.

I would suggest you get a repair shop to do this for you, or you could finish up damaging your records.

Your query incomplete. Please resubmit.

The only thing I can say is to make sure you set up your cartridges correctly - click HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS on BALANCING YOUR TONEARM properly.

If, you've balanced your tonearm, and set up your cartridges correctly, then you should not have any problems. Unless, your tonearms are damaged. But this is highly unlikely. I just think you need to balance properly.

Another note, Ortofon Concorde have a design flaw, in that they don't connect very well to the Technics tonearm. The Concorde's, have short and stubby connections on the rear, making for poor connections to the tonearm. Ortofon has addressed this issue by releasing the Ortofon OM series cartridges, and mount them to standard Technics Headshell.

If you still can't figure this out, feel free to give our techs a call 24/7 @ 1.866.668.1596 ext 1 - they can walk you through setting up, and properly testing your tonearm to see if it's damaged or not.

- DJ PRO LAB
www.DJPROLAB.com