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Best tonearm position for VTA?

What is the best position to have your tonearm in when setting generally for VTA? I have seen 3 arguments.First is with the tonearm parallel to the record surface.Second is with the tonearm "tail-down" from parallel perhaps 2-3mm and third is with the "tail-up" anywhere between 7-9mm as postulated by Van Den Hul in the phono FAQ on his website.
stefanl

Showing 2 responses by gregadd

gregadd
574 posts
 
you should always start with the arm paralell to the platter and try your best to keep it that way. if need be add shims betewwe the cartrdige and and head shell. as a slightly unbalanced lever the tonearm works best that way.
gregadd
574 posts
 
the arm works best at parralell. the cartridge is designed to have the stylus tip ride flat in the groove. The SRA has no bearing on the sound itself. if it does, I defy anyone to tell me what it is. SRA and arm level only position the stylus tip in the groove. SRA should be adjusted to get maximum contact of the stylus tip in the groove. So contrary to popular opinion the goal is not to duplicate the angle of the cutting head. it is to get the maximum contact of the stylus in the grove. if you can achieve that with arm paralell and identical angle of the original cutting head, EUREKA! If not I would sacrifice SRA first to maximize grove contact. Parralell can sacrifced also if that's what it takes.
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