Millennium Feeder Block - Phono Adjustment Block

Turntable accessories - Adjustment & calibration - Made in Germany

VTA and azimuth - two parameters that determine the sonic perfection of a system. The vertical tracking angle (VTA) determines the angle at which the needle tip passes through the groove: Too high, and the treble is overemphasized, the sound comes across as aggressive and harsh. Too low and the bass becomes uncontrolled and the resolution suffers. The target value for modern pressings is around 20 degrees - and the starting point for any adjustment is a tonearm position that is exactly parallel to the record surface. This is precisely where the Millennium Audio Vision system block comes in: a precision tool made from the highest quality acrylic that enables these crucial adjustments to be made reliably, reproducibly and at a level that meets the demands of truly audiophile systems.

The special feature of the system block lies in its manufacturing quality and well thought-out concept: the edges and reference lines are cut using an elaborate laser process - which enables precision that simply cannot be achieved with conventional manufacturing methods. The crystal-clear, polished acrylic allows a direct view of the tonearm tube, which means that even tapered tonearms such as the renowned SME Series V can be adjusted without any problems - a challenge that many conventional adjustment aids fail to meet. The block is simply placed directly on the record, the tonearm is lowered and the VTA and azimuth can be read and adjusted simultaneously and with maximum accuracy. Made in Germany.

The VTA describes the angle at which the stylus lies in the groove when viewed from the side. When cutting a record, the stylus works at a defined angle of around 20 degrees as standard today - and only if the stylus maintains the same angle during playback will it read the groove as it was recorded. Even a few millimetres deviation in the height of the tonearm leads to a measurable and audible offset: too steep an angle produces sibilance and over-sharp sibilants, too shallow an angle causes bass to swell and robs the reproduction of transparency and spatial depth. These deviations are particularly noticeable in high-resolution MC systems with Shibata or Microridge needles.

The azimuth - the perpendicular alignment of the cartridge to the record surface - has a direct influence on the channel separation: if the cartridge sits even slightly askew, the left and right groove flanks scan with different pressure. The result is a subtle but permanently disturbing channel imbalance and a noticeable loss of crosstalk attenuation. Being able to control and correct both parameters in a single operation is the decisive advantage of the Millennium system block.

The application is as precise as it is uncomplicated: The polished acrylic block is placed directly on the record with the tonearm lowered. The lines on the back of the block , labeled in 2.5 mm increments, allow highly accurate, reproducible reading of the tone arm height - which means that settings can be documented and restored with pinpoint accuracy at any time. This is particularly valuable when several cartridges are used alternately or when thick 180 gram pressings and thinner standard pressings require different height positions.

The special feature of the crystal-clear acrylic material comes into its own with tapered tonearms: you look through the transparent block and compare the center line of the tonearm tube with the printed reference lines - a method that delivers precise results even with the demanding geometry of an SME V. At the same time, the vertical position of the tonearm can be checked in the same position. At the same time, the vertical mounting of the cartridge (azimuth) can be checked in the same position: The pickup and the vertical reference lines of the block must be aligned - any deviation is immediately recognizable.

The alignment block is the ideal tool for anyone who wants to precisely align their tonearm for the first time, readjust it after a system change or routinely adjust the height position between different record weights. It consistently supplements classic overhang templates (such as the Baerwald or Schön template) with the third dimension of tonearm adjustment - the vertical axis - and thus closes the last gap in a complete cartridge alignment.

If you want to cover the entire spectrum of tonearm and cartridge alignment with a coordinated tool set, the Millennium Protractor Set is the complete solution: The system block is included as an integral component - supplemented by all other necessary tools for a complete and professional alignment. All developed and manufactured in Germany, with the quality standards that high-quality analog systems deserve.