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Any of you experiment with optimal VTA for Benz Micro Cartridges

I've heard that some cartridges vary as to what VTA is actually optimal for them contrary to what the perfectly horizontal/vertical  positioning of the cartridge body might suggest.  I have my Benz Micro mounted such that the front plane of the wooden body is perfectly vertical as I assume that was the design intent for the correct VTA. Is that true?
elunkenheimer

Showing 2 responses by folkfreak

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
@prof regarding why low output vs higher in a MC? Well one advantage of a lower output rather than higher is that getting more output entails more coil turns and hence more mass to move. 

There's lots of discussion on this point in threads such as this
http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/high-output-mc-cartridges-vs-low-output-any-difference-in-soun...

The phono stage you've selected looks as if it should work well. Have you also invested in a suitable set of mounting tools and templates? My recommendation would be to go with a setup like this (which is a simplified version of the Acoustical Systems alignment tool I own)
https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-accessories/pro-ject-align-it-cartridge-alignment-gauge
folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
Irregardless of whether you have a dealer set up your table for you you really need to know how to align a cartridge yourself. Cartridges age and suspensions sag so VTF and VTA will need to be adjusted as the cartridge ages. In addition if you ever change the cart you will need to align the new one and so on

A minimal set of tools I would recommend anyone owning a table of your budget and potential should have would include
Finally you must purchase some form of record cleaning system -- my strong recommendation is an ultrasonic

While this may seem like "tweakery" it is actually the minimum necessary for you to realize what your LP system is capable of

As you get more into it then you can explore turntable isolation systems, mono specific cartridges and the like but for the time being the stuff I've outlined above will get you going
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