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Thoughts on VTA......

I have read countless posts where members are spending hours on exacting setup of their VTA with varying levels of tools.

Then there is another camp who set by ear.

My thoughts/questions on this subject arise from vinyl thickness difference.

Surely going from a flimsy flier early 70,s vinyl to a later 180 or even 200gm issue is going to change that painstakingly set VTA considerably.

So thoughts rattling round is why go to all that trouble when it IS going to change depending on the vinyl played?

To my mind it would appear that one of the arms that includes on the fly VTA adjustment would be the answer.

Your opinions or suggestions?
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uberwaltz OP
4,946 posts
 
@wrm57 

And finally!

That was EXACTLY my point.

I have a lot of lightweight and heavyweight albums and although my hearing is not what it was I swear I can tell a difference between the varying weights of lps.

Unfortunately neither of my arms have on the fly VTA adjustment so it is not practical right now.

Still think I will look for an arm with VTA otf.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
By ear, and since I prefer original pressings to reissues I don’t worry about the 180 and 200 gram pressings. I just pick a few average thickness albums that have very complex music on that.
kacomess
38 posts
 
Robelvick:

You wrote, "I keep adjusting my tonearm until the vinyl sounds as good/better than the Tidal stream." If Tidal's sound quality is your reference and you're adjusting VTA to match it, why not simply listen to most of your music streamed on Tidal?
robelvick's avatar
robelvick
466 posts
 
@kacomess

What would I do with all my records then?  Plus, when a record sounds better than Tidal, of course I prefer to listen to that!

I get what you're saying though, but that is for another discussion.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
When I have azimuth corrected, the soundspace opens with increased depth and air.  Height adjustment brings  bass tubbiness, or string screetch.... Height of tonearm also varies VTF, and overhang.  Use a magnifying glass to see that as you raise, or lower the arm, it moves farther away one way or another from the inscribed line of an arc protractor.  I find that the manufacturers recommendation for VTF is best.  That way, the suspension system is aligned as intended. Some people call the assiduous tinkering with all these adjustment a pain....others savor the results of a properly adjusted arm.
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