CAUTION! If care is taken, on certain turntables the VTA can be adjusted while the record is playing. However,
the VTA locking set screw on the mounting base should only be loosened or tightened when the stylus is off the
record. The user must determine if he/she can adjust the VTA during play with their turntable. Sumiko, Inc. will
not be responsible for styli or cantilevers damaged by users making VTA adjustments during play. Adjustments
of the VTA during play is useful only if your turntable is located at your listening position or if it can be adjusted
by an assistant while you listen to the results. (Note: Using a spouse or friend to help you set the VTA while you
listen can jeopardize your relationship with that person.) If you can not be in a position to accurately judge the
results of your adjustments, to assure the safety of your stylus and cantilever, always make VTA adjustments
with the stylus off the record. The elevation screw should be turned 1/4 to 1/2 turn at a time before listening for
the results.
The VTA is adjusted by using the elevation adjustment tool. This tool is a 3 mm hex key with a knob attached to it. Cue
stylus off of the record or lock the tone arm on the arm rest. To unlock the arm pillar, insert the end of the elevation
adjustment tool into the VTA locking set screw on the mounting base and rotate the tool 1/4 turn counter clockwise.
Remove the elevation tool from the VTA locking set screw and insert it into the top of the elevation screw. Rotating the
elevation screw clockwise will lower the rear of the tone arm. Rotating the elevation screw counter clockwise will raise the
rear of the tone arm. If you are going to adjust the VTA while playing, cue the stylus to the record now and, using the
elevation adjustment tool, rotate the elevation screw until the correct VTA is obtained. Cue the tone arm off of the record
and lock the arm pillar into the mounting base by tightening the VTA locking set screw.
The VTA adjustment system works best when the elevation collar is close to the mounting base (within 10 mm). Gross
adjustment of the VTA should be made by loosening both the VTA locking set screw and the elevation collar lock screw
and then moving the arm pillar up or down as necessary. When the tone arm is set at the center of the adjustment range
for the records in your collection, the bottom of the elevation collar should be between 5 and 10 mm above the top surface
of the mounting base.
Variable Fluid Damping
The Premier FT-3 tone arm can be used either with or without fluid damping. We recommend using the fluid damping only
when the cartridge being used has very low dynamic compliance (below 10 x 10-6 cm/dyne).
The top of the tone arm has a hemispherical reservoir for holding the damping fluid. The knob on the top of the bearing
housing is used for adjusting the amount of damping. Turn clockwise to increase or counter clockwise to decrease
damping action. To install damping fluid, cut the tip off the fluid vial and carefully empty contents of the vial into the
opening in the top of the damping knob.
Important Note: When removing the arm for shipment or service, the damping fluid must be removed. If the fluid is not
removed and the arm is tipped on its side, fluid will flow out of the reservoir cup and may contaminate the tone arm
bearings. Damping fluid in the bearings will cause excess friction and may necessitate expensive repairs.
To remove the damping fluid, the housing that holds the damping knob must be removed. Remove the tone arm from the
turntable by loosening the VTA locking set screw and the elevation collar lock screw. Keep the tone arm upright while
looking at the underside of the-bearing housing. You will see six #0 Phillips screws. Remove the two screws that are
farthest away from the tone arm pillar. The housing that holds the damping knob can now be removed, revealing the
hemispherical reservoir on the top of the tone arm. Use the damping fluid vial as an eyedropper to remove the fluid from
the reservoir cup. Any fluid that can not be removed with the vial should be removed with a cotton swab. Clean the
damping fluid off of the damping piston that is attached to the damping knob. Alcohol may be used as a solvent to remove
damping fluid from the tone arm. Reassemble the tone arm before shipping to avoid losing parts. Replacement damping
fluid is available at a nominal price.
Bearings
Each Premier FT-3 tone arm undergoes careful quality control, both at the factory and at Sumiko's Berkeley CA
headquarters. Among our Quality Assurance procedures are inspection of bearings for freedom of movement and lack of
play. Please do not attempt to make bearing adjustment yourself as this may permanently damage the bearings and will
void your warranty. Should repairs or adjustments be necessary, please contact your dealer or Sumiko, Inc.
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