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?
128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xuberwaltz

"Stereophile" rates the Rega RP10 as a class "A" turntable, and since I spent an entire year evaluating "Sterophiles" rating system, I consider it valid.

In this game, one must come to one's own conclusions.
Dear @orpheus10 : I read that link the same year appeared in TNT but that article does not confirms that you are rigth.

In the other side neither R.Gandy Rega designer said that. Rega designer said that cartridge alignment and VTA ( between other set up parameters ) are " aproximations " ( you can read in the Rega tonearm manual. ) and he is rigth but he did not said anywhere that VTA/SRA  changes does not " affect " the sound quality we are listening.

Yes, we can't match exactly the cartridge ridding stylus tip with the groove LP modulations do that we need it not mm. VTA/SRA changes but cms. that precludes to do it.

The other problem is the totally LP imperfections that impedes accurazy in the cartridge/tonearm set up. 
RG said " aproximmations " and in the case of pivoted tonearm designs the geometry alignment  is exactly that way because always exist a tracking error that we can't avoid it.

In the case of VTA/SRA ( RG said is: futile distress about. ) it's the same for different reasons than the alignment regards.

VTA/SRA  changes at each single LP groove do to micro-waves that we can't even seen/ca'n detect. Exist no single truly flat LP surface at micro level that's where the cartridge stylus tip works.

Even that and that we can't match the LP grooves by VTA/SRA changes these VTA/SRA changes makes a difference in the quality sound we are listening and only a deaf person can't detect it and I'm totally sure that RG is not deaf. He said that " VTA is a Neurosis not a technical adjustment ". To each his own.

I respect his opinion but I know he is wrong as you been a follower of him in this regards. Of course that if the changes in VTA/SRA are " minute " ones we can't detect it but all depends on the quality level of the tonearm, cartridge and set up along the home room/system resolution levels.

Btw, it is weird that RG does not gives to much importance to the cartridge/tonearm overall set up when in his own Rega recordings he takes care in deep at each single link on that recording proccess from the microphones selections and position passing for the micro electronics mixing that he designed and builded and self modifications in the recording R2R he uses. He is way demanding of quality there and I know because  I own some of his recordings where comes all the explanation detail how that recording was made it.

Btw, I found a gentleman through the net that posted :

I have spoken to Roy Gandi a few times on the phone. He does have very definite ideas on what a TT should and should not do. Equally I have spoken to Tom Fletcher (Nottingham) on the phone. He too has very definite ideas on all things TT. Both are respected manufacturers and both have a very dedicated following. Generally they agree on the big picture but not on the details.

From what I have seen adjustment of VTA is not merely a case of how close you get to the angle of the cutting head. It is more about optimizing the balance of arm and cantilever to ensure the diamond rides optimally in the groove.

I think most people will agree that there can be quite dramatic changes in the musical presentation....... "


the key there is: optimizing the balance of arm and cantilever to ensure the diamond/stylus tip optimally in the groove... "


That's the best we can approach ( " optimally " with unavoidable restrictions. ), yes faraway from precise but that's all we can do and makes a difference.


That's LP analog.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.






Raul, I'm looking at my stylus at eye level, with the diamond just sitting on the record, and it looks precisely like the drawing on this link.


            https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/vta_e.html


This is with the Rega arm and table. If this is what the wood bodied Grado Master looks like, what adjustment do you think I need?
Dear @orpheus10 : The only way to be sure the VTA/SRA is the best that permit that cartridge/tonearm couple is through playback tests doing VTA/changes to determine with which VTA/SRA change ( up or down. ) the quality level of what we are listening is higher. This is a test VTA/SRA proccess making it through an overall evaluation comparison proccess using always the same LPs tracks, tracks that we know in deep.

You can do it through using some shims that I know came with Rega tonearms.

Perhaps what you are looking at eye level could means almost nothing for all what I said in my last post and what other gentlemans said in my post : You can read something additional in this information I pasted from other forum:

"   that, IIRC, at least one stylus manufacturer ( SoundSmith ) explicitly states not to use visual means to verify SRA - because the actual cut of the stylus often has no real relationship to the profile of the stylus as viewed from the side with a magnifying glass.  "

Anyway, you have to test to live the VTA/SRA experiences in your own room/system and then decide about.

R.
I do it by ear. Too high, and sibilance occurs; too low, and bass goes woolly. There is no one ideal permanent setting due to the variability of LP's thicknesses and the angle of cutting heads used to make the album in the first place. I happen to have a VPI with an easily on-the-fly adjuster, and I don't think I would ever get another turntable without an easily adjustable VTA.