Audio Technica AT6006R

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SET UP GUIDE:

Question: How do I set up the AT6006R Safety Raiser to automatically lift the tonearm on my

turntable?

Answer: If you have an AT-LP5, AT-LP7, or other fully manual turntable with a clearance of at

least 14 mm between the platter edge and the base of the tonearm,* you can use the AT6006R

safety raiser to lift your tonearm automatically once it reaches the end of a record. Every record

has a locked groove (aka runout groove), which is the innermost infinite groove that prevents the

stylus from running into the label. Leaving the stylus in this locked groove will not damage your

records or your stylus, but all use degrades the stylus to some extent. (The stylus should be

changed after a certain number of hours of use, similar to tires on a car.) Using the AT6006R

safety raiser will help extend the life of your stylus by gently lifting the tonearm up off the

record. But it is important to position the AT6006R correctly so that it doesn’t lift the tonearm

too soon (raiser placed too far forward) or fail to lift it at all (raiser placed too far back). So you

need to find the spot on your turntable that is “just right” for your AT6006R safety raiser.

The AT6006R includes a 12 mm and a 24 mm spacer that you can apply to the AT6006R if it is

too short to effectively raise up your tonearm. You will first want to determine if a spacer is

needed. Place the safety raiser between the platter and the base of the tonearm, then engage the

raiser’s lever so that the lift bar rises to the up position. Place the tonearm on the lift bar with the

stylus positioned above the record’s locked groove. The stylus tip should be roughly 5 mm off

the record surface. Return the tonearm to its rest, then press the raiser’s lift bar back into its

down position. Place the tonearm back over the lift bar and lower the stylus to the record. The

stylus tip should be on the record surface while the tonearm remains above (and not touching)

the raiser’s lift bar. You may adjust the height of the AT6006R by turning the height lock screw

and/or by adding a spacer. Once the height is properly configured, put the stylus guard on your

stylus to protect it during the remainder of the safety raiser setup. Attach a piece of double-sided

tape to the bottom of the safety raiser (or to the bottom of the spacer if you are using one). Do

NOT remove the paper from the side of the tape that will attach to the turntable just yet – we still

need to determine the proper placement for the raiser.

Place your tonearm just before the locked groove at the end of your record and then raise up the

tonearm with the cueing lever, making certain not to move the tonearm forward or backward.

With the safety raiser’s lift bar in the down position, place the raiser on the turntable between the

platter and the base of the tonearm so that the engaging lever is parallel to the tonearm. This will

ensure that the tonearm engages the lever when it reaches the end of the record. Once you have

determined the proper placement for the safety raiser, you may now attach the AT6006R to the

turntable. First, return the tonearm to its rest, making certain not to move the safety raiser.

Carefully remove the paper from the double-sided tape and attach the safety raiser in the proper

position on the turntable.

Once you have attached the raiser, you will want to double-check your work. With the raiser’s

lift bar in its down position, start the turntable. You may listen to just the last little bit of the last

song to ensure that the tonearm is lifted at the correct point. If it lifts too early, you will need to

move the raiser slightly back toward the rear of the turntable. If it doesn’t lift at all, you will need

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Summary

AT6006 R Safety Raiser Setup Guide

Initial Placement and Height Adjustment

Determine spacer needs and adjust the raiser's height for correct tonearm clearance.

Final Placement and Verification

Test raiser position, attach it to the turntable, and verify automatic tonearm lifting.

Summary

AT6006 R Safety Raiser Setup Guide

Initial Placement and Height Adjustment

Determine spacer needs and adjust the raiser's height for correct tonearm clearance.

Final Placement and Verification

Test raiser position, attach it to the turntable, and verify automatic tonearm lifting.

The provided document describes the setup and function of the Audio-Technica AT6006R Safety Raiser, a device designed to automatically lift a turntable's tonearm at the end of a record.

Function Description:

The AT6006R Safety Raiser is an accessory for specific Audio-Technica turntables (AT-LP5 and AT-LP7) that automates the lifting of the tonearm once it reaches the end of a record's playback. This feature is crucial for extending the lifespan of both the stylus and the records. When a record finishes playing, the stylus typically enters a "locked groove" or "runout groove," which is the innermost infinite groove preventing the stylus from running into the label. While leaving the stylus in this groove does not immediately damage records or the stylus, prolonged contact contributes to stylus wear over time. The AT6006R gently lifts the tonearm off the record surface, preventing unnecessary wear and tear on the stylus and ensuring the record is not continuously played in the runout groove. This automatic lifting mechanism provides convenience and peace of mind for users, eliminating the need for manual intervention at the end of each side.

Important Technical Specifications:

The document highlights a critical compatibility requirement: the AT6006R Safety Raiser is specifically designed for use with Audio-Technica AT-LP5 and AT-LP7 turntables. Furthermore, a minimum clearance of at least 14 mm between the platter edge and the base of the tonearm is necessary for the device to function correctly. The AT6006R comes with two spacers, 12 mm and 24 mm, which can be used to adjust the height of the raiser if the default height is insufficient to effectively lift the tonearm. The height can also be fine-tuned using a height lock screw. The device is attached to the turntable using double-sided tape, which is applied to the bottom of the raiser (or the spacer if used).

Usage Features:

Setting up the AT6006R involves several precise steps to ensure optimal performance:

Spacer Determination: Users first determine if a spacer (12 mm or 24 mm) is needed. This is done by placing the safety raiser between the platter and the tonearm base, engaging the lift bar to its up position, and then placing the tonearm on the lift bar with the stylus positioned approximately 5 mm above the record's locked groove.
Height Adjustment: After returning the tonearm to its rest and pressing the lift bar down, the tonearm is placed back over the lift bar, and the stylus is lowered to the record. The stylus tip should be on the record surface while the tonearm remains above (and not touching) the lift bar. If necessary, the height of the AT6006R can be adjusted using the height lock screw and/or by adding a spacer.
Initial Placement (without adhesion): With the stylus guard on for protection, a piece of double-sided tape is attached to the bottom of the raiser (or spacer), but the protective paper is NOT removed yet. The tonearm is then placed just before the locked groove at the end of a record, and raised with the cueing lever without moving it forward or backward. With the raiser's lift bar in the down position, the raiser is placed on the turntable between the platter and the tonearm base such that the engaging lever is parallel to the tonearm. This parallel alignment is crucial for the tonearm to properly engage the lever at the end of the record.
Final Attachment: Once the optimal placement is determined, the tonearm is returned to its rest, ensuring the raiser is not moved. The protective paper is then carefully removed from the double-sided tape, and the safety raiser is firmly attached to the turntable in the determined position.
Verification: After attachment, it is essential to double-check the operation. With the lift bar in its down position, the turntable is started. Users can listen to the last part of a song to confirm that the tonearm is lifted at the correct point. If the tonearm lifts too early, the raiser needs to be moved slightly back toward the rear of the turntable. If it fails to lift at all, the raiser needs to be moved slightly forward toward the front of the turntable. This verification process should be repeated with a few different records to ensure consistent and reliable operation.

Maintenance Features:

The document implicitly suggests a form of maintenance through proper setup and verification. By ensuring the AT6006R is correctly positioned and adjusted, users are effectively maintaining the longevity of their stylus and records. The gentle lifting action provided by the device is itself a maintenance feature, as it prevents continuous wear in the runout groove. While no explicit cleaning or repair instructions are provided, the emphasis on precise placement and adjustment implies that incorrect setup could lead to suboptimal performance or potential issues. The document also advises users to contact the Audio Solutions Department for any further questions regarding setup, indicating that professional guidance is available for troubleshooting or more complex issues. The mention of changing the stylus after a certain number of hours, similar to changing car tires, reinforces the idea of regular maintenance for turntable components, which the AT6006R helps to extend.