They say that when you grow up, that's the time you will appreciate how important education is.
Yup, when I was still in school, I really hated Geometry and Physics. In fact, I almost flunked both subjects.
Now that I am an analog addict, I regret the days when I cut school and did not listen to my Geometry and Physics Professors.
You see, both subjects do apply when you align and tune your turntable, specifically tonearms, more specifically, pivoted tonearms.
As mentioned earlier, aligning your cartridge/tonearm is a must in order for your analog rig to sound its best. You just don't screw in the cartridge and play an LP.
Geometry: This is important in order to understand why pivoted tonearms cannot be aligned perfectly in the "optimum path" of the LP's groove (that's why the Linear Tracking Arm was invented). Because pivoted tonearms pivot from a point source, there is a certain degree where the stylus will not be 100% aligned vis-a-vis the LP's groove. Understanding geometry will show you how to get the least deviation in this so called "imperfect alignment of pivoted tonearms". Geometry will also let you understand why Overhang, a measurement usually forgotten by some turntable users, is very important in order to obtain the least imperfect alignment.
Physics: This is important in order to understand why pivoted tonearm have anti-skating mechanisms. Physics is why the pivoted tonearm has this tendency to force itself into the inner-groove of the LP.
Disregarding both subjects will make you have a poorly aligned / tuned analog rig. This of course will have your turntable produce bad sound......
......... which will also bring about undue wear to your cartridge and LP........
......... which will make you say that digitial is superior to analog.........
I wished I had studied harder on these 2 subjects.
The moral of the lesson?
Tapusin at ayusin ang pag-aaral........
.......Wag tularan ang bisyo.......
.......Except ang bisyo sa pagbibili ng plaka!