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Can't set rake angle right even lowest VTA (digital microscope checked)

Following Michael Fremer's instruction (makes sense) to set up stylus rake angle with digital microscope (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otysEyET6yE) and found that with lowest VTA setting, my angle is 96 degrees (from starting point of 102 degrees! when arm is parallel to the record with the target of 92 +/-1 degree). Cartridge is Ortofon Kontrapunkt C (recommended VTA 20 degrees, now at 23 degrees), VPI 10.5" arm. It definitely sounds a whole lot better esp mid range and high but arm/stylus almost had no clearance to the record. This is weird and I shouldn't need to set the height at the bottom of the tonearm tower. Tracking weight is 2.6 gm within recommended range.
Thoughts are appreciated.
goldeneardoc
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@goldeneardoc Your stylus is Nude Fritz Gyger 80 which is similar to Ortofon Replicant 100 stylus. Read this, there are better illustration of what hdm said: https://www.ortofon.com/hifi/products/hifi-cartridges/mc-anna/set-up
jperry
2,448 posts
 
Your alignment should be close to correct with your arm parallel to the record surface. If it is not, then you are not measuring correctly or your cartridge is defective.
goldeneardoc OP
19 posts
 
Oh thank you! That is why! I have to set up using the side of the facet as reference. Much appreciated guys! I learned something new.
testpilot
930 posts
 
Your alignment should be close to correct with your arm parallel to the record surface. If it is not, then you are not measuring correctly or your cartridge is defective.
If "close" is your objective, then I agree with the above statement.
jperry
2,448 posts
 
I was indicating to the OP that with the tonearm parallel he should be close to the correct setting. His measurement indicated he was 10 degrees off with the arm parallel, His measurement being that far off with the tonearm parallel means something else was wrong. As it turned out it was the way he was measuring.

I usually start at parallel and adjust by ear from there. 
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