Accurate spirit levels for analog set up, any recommendations?

[KeithR]

$400 levels now They call it WBF for a reason.

 

[squasher]

Marc, I am a huge fan of Starrett levels. I think two of these perpendicular to each other are more accurate than round levels.

http://www.starrett.com/category/pr...isplayMode=grid&itemsPerPage=12&sortBy=wp/asc

I agree with this. I replaced my various bubble levels with a Starrett level I bought off ebay. I have no idea how well calibrated it is anymore but it's extremely consistent, sensitive, and much more trustworthy than the normal "audiophile" ones.

 

[microstrip]

This looks great!

I called Level Developments. They sell them only in lots of 50 units. They will not sell one to me directly. In typically (in my personal experience living in London for two years) unhelpful English fashion the sales department had absolutely no idea where I could buy a single example of this product of theirs on planet Earth.

All the sales department could do is refer me to a company in the USA called McMaster Carr. I spoke with them, and they do not carry this particular circular level.

Do you have any idea where to order one?

We can easily get similar units from eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-La...h=item1e8e55d217:g:sx4AAOxyF0pTi3vq:rk:6:pf:0

 

[NorthStar]

I have several of them, this' my main one (luminous):

? https://www.amazon.com/Luminous-Bru...548701966&SubscriptionId=AKIAJO7E5OLQ67NVPFZA

 

[spiritofmusic]

Glow in the dark spirit level?
You don't know how empty your life is, until it's filled LOL.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Because of course we're all adjusting our delicate tt setups and fragile carts in the dark!

 

[NorthStar]

Hey Marc, it's fun to see the blue luminous.
______

I use this one for my headshells...no metal casing for this baby:

? https://www.amazon.com/Sleeve-City-...GC7ZF9113N7&psc=1&refRID=MAXRJ8SR0GC7ZF9113N7

 

[NorthStar]

Starrett would be the general recommendation there.

I have one of those too ...

? https://www.amazon.com/Starrett-BE-1-Circular-Bullseye-Diameter/dp/B00T24HE5O

 

[NorthStar]

Because of course we're all adjusting our delicate tt setups and fragile carts in the dark!

It works very well during daytime; actually it is more relaxing to my eyes I find.
I have white, green, yellow but this one is my favorite. It looks the coolest and it does exactly what it supposes to do...helps to level my turntables to exact perfection, by less than a hair.

 

[Ron Resnick]

We can easily get similar units from eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metal-La...h=item1e8e55d217:g:sx4AAOxyF0pTi3vq:rk:6:pf:0

But is that one a Chinese copy, or of genuine Level Developments manufacture?

 

[tima]

My go to choice is the 3-3/8" Starret 130 machinist level. ~$40

 

[tima]

I have one made by Ortofon which looks very similar. It is excellent for confirming if a platter, speaker, or platform is level.

https://www.frontrowelectronics.com...MI2dXxh86Q4AIVQV8NCh00fwSHEAQYBCABEgJi3_D_BwE

Looks identical. $14.42 Large Strong Woman

 

[tima]

Thanks one and all. I'm at the beginning of the end of final analog optimisation. The right levels will be the right tools for the job.

Or am I at the end of the beginning? I think this is more accurate, I'm finally getting a proper appreciation of classical lps. And I know a thoroughly dialled in analog setup is more critical than ever. Hence the plea for help on spirit levels.

You're on the glide path toward asymptotically approaching zero.
Good lighting and magnification always help.

 

[jig_sg]

View attachment 48080

My go to choice is the 3-3/8" Starret 130 machinist level. ~$40

Am using this as well.. together with a Stabila digital level. Use them together to check accuracy of the other.. just in case.

Gone through a heap of cheap to moderately priced ones and all aren’t as precise.

 

[bazelio]

This looks great!

I called Level Developments. They sell them only in lots of 50 units. They will not sell one to me directly. In typically (in my personal experience living in London for two years) unhelpful English fashion the sales department had absolutely no idea where I could buy a single example of this product of theirs on planet Earth.

All the sales department could do is refer me to a company in the USA called McMaster Carr. I spoke with them, and they do not carry this particular circular level.

Do you have any idea where to order one?

Ron, mine is a (hard) plastic version of this. It has the same sensitivity, roughly the same dimensions, and I've been happy with it. It is certainly better than the cheapo hardware store jobs.

I linked the metal version because Marc wanted metal. I didn't realize it was unavailable to purchase! (Wut?!). If you can settle for the plastic version, then get this one instead:

https://www.leveldevelopments.com/p...602-plastic-circular-level-60x12mm-range-0-2/

If you don't mind a little extra metal, this is also equally sensitive:

https://www.leveldevelopments.com/p...02deg-circular-level-60-chrome-range2-1div30/

 

[Ron Resnick]

I don’t think Level Developments sells any product directly to the public. How did you buy yours?

 

[PeterA]

Looks identical. $14.42 Large Strong Woman

Yes, it does look the same. I was not aware of other sources at the time. I could have saved some money. The lament of most audiophiles.

 

[microstrip]

But is that one a Chinese copy, or of genuine Level Developments manufacture?

Caterpillar Red seems a reputable company, but I have no direct experience with their products. This type of level is being manufactured by many companies for more than a century, it is not rocket science!

 

[ddk]

Are there any really good reliable spirit levels for tt/arm setup? I've been plagued w cheap ones that don't agree w each other.

I'm looking especially for small circular ones, 1-2" diameter, that I can place on my platter at the adjustment points/feet. Looking for heavy ones in particular, not lightweight plastic.

Sometimes it’s your platter that’s not flat and you’ll end up with different readings depending on where you place the level. Mark the location then compare your levels on the same spot.

I like these;

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HHSZ9CP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

and this type if you want to measure from the center

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B017EX6FTA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A205VE1PUGXUMQ&psc=1

and if you want to drive yourself crazier get one of these

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H1S121Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

david

 

[Solypsa]

...This type of level is being manufactured by many companies for more than a century, it is not rocket science!

No but a really accurate level is not easy to make, even if the method has been around for a century. The really high quality machinist levels with guaranteed specs are nearly $1000. Of course I dont think we need these but just like a tonearm : simple idea tricky to execute...