I use a conventional thread guide as shown here.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HR58V6K...1-219660d24dcd
I have an older Brother machine that feeds thread off sideways. No matter where I put the stand, the thread would get tangled on the machine and hang up. I solved the problem by running the thread through the bobbin threading guide on the top of the machine after I ran it over the top of the thread stand. This causes it to feed as if the cone is sideways on the machine. My smallest thread cones I use are about 1100 yards, but mostly I use 3000 and 5000 yards. You save so much money using the larger cones, and it is really hard to run out of thread.