VTA adjustment for VPI 10.5 tonearm

oops - forgot something on my post above.... For the best sound don't install/use the anti-skate gizmo.

Here I am again....by the way...85, 60,42, means nothing. All those figures are relative to your particular setup. When you spin the dial around 360 degrees you are back to the same number, but with a different VTA.

Keep in mind when measuring VTA on the 10.5i that the arm tube is tapered, so when you measure by eye using a straight edge, if it looks level it could be slightly raised at the back of the arm. I just set at level or slightly down for a 180 g. record and forget it.

Mike

I agree with Stringreen. Set VTF first and do that with the arm as close to level as possible. The index card trick makes it easier to judge this with the taperred arm. Depending on what scale you use, you'll likely have to raise the arm for this measurement to have the arm level. I f you don't have the arm level, your VTF reading could be off by as much as .3 grams or more. This is the equivalent of measuring VTF at the level of the record(as the expensive Wally scale does)provided you then set the arm level with the record again when you're done. Once the arm is level with the record, lower VTA by 5 at a time until you find the spot you like.
Stringreen is probably right about the soft feet and anti scate as well but I'm still messing around with those on my SSM ref. The rim drive seems to work best with very light conact with the super platter. Not much pressure is needed. Mike at VPI told me if the platter spins a little longer than the flywheel on shut off that's about the right amount of contact. Also, where the platter runs the fastest is another indication that contact pressure is good. The drive belt does need to be in the "land" between the grooves in the metal area and probably best as close to the middle of this metal area as possible. Luckily, raising and leveling is easier with the mini feet than the older cone feet. Probably the mini foot's best selling point in my opinion.

The table was set up for me by music direct. They recommended similarly and have set VTF at 2.3gr and have already calibrated azimuth and set the VTA for a 180gr record and everything sounds good with it. I am not using any damping fluid or the manual antiskate device (I only put one clockwise turn on the lemo connector as recommended and it tracks pretty well even though my cartridge is somewhat old). The arm tube looks parallel and the back of the cartridge looks slightly raised when a thinner record is being played so I thought lowering the VTA from 85 to 50 would help. It certainly sounds better that way. The same is true of people who recommend setting the loading for my cartridge at 200-300 ohms when it sounds good at around 30ohms and too grainy if set higher. I have been adjusting according to sound and less so with precision measurements. I am quite new when it comes to fine tuning LP playback equipment and I appreciate all of your help guys.