How to properly set VTF??

However, just to continue the discussion, if we assume that on a given listening session all things being equal (humidity, temp, phase of the moon, etc.) that these variances that Bob mentions across the record will be pretty much the same each time the record is played. (I would hope they are or there is something really wrong with all of our playback equipment.) In this case the VTF of 1.87 is the only parameter we can measure to somewhat predict the behavior of the arm/cartridge across the grooves. Perhaps with some arms and some cartridges it can make a difference. (I admit I haven't experienced it but I don't yet own a cartridge that could respond to that level of adjustment. Mine don't even respond much to VTA changes. :) ) I can't help but draw an analogy to a stock car. The suspension, and thus the load on any tire, is constantly changing all the way around the track but the only way to somehow predict the behavior is to weigh the static load on each tire. Then changes are made during the run to compesate for what is actually happening. We have the advantage in that our "track", the grooves, are much more predictable in that we don't have to worry about what line we trace since there is only one.

Bob, I agree with most of what you're saying. However I do believe that arms such as the 2.2 is it possible to get repeatable VTF settings provided the scale used is good enough which is what SirSpeedy is telling us. I am betting that I could do this with my RB-250 that has a Mitchell weight installed with the micrometer-like VTF adjustment. But first I would need to invest in the $800 Winds (OUCH!). If we're talking about a Vector, or TriPlanar, or perhaps your Stax (I'm not familiar with the VTF machanism on that arm) I will agree completely with you as it is damn near impossible to move the weight in such small adjustments on these arms. All this being said, I think we do all agree that getting it really close with the guage and then adjusting by ear is the way to go.

SirSpeedy, I've only played extensively with a 103R and a Benz Glider. Both of which do no seem to react much to VTA over a fairly wide range. This used to drive me crazy because here I am trying to listen for changes and they just never happened on both the Vector and 2.2. I've since learned from others that these two cartridges are not real sensitive to VTA and I guess I've proven that to myself.

Heck, Bob. The $35 digital guage I have now will hardly give me the same results if I measure VTF one right after the other only seconds apart. :) I'm not sure if that sucker is any better than my Shure balance.

Oh, yes. I would expect that the VTF could change from day to day. I was arguing only that it is possible on some arms to adjust to that .01 fairly repetatively.

I certainly wouldn't mind being wrong on this. I'm planning on purchasing a Winds soon and this could save me $200.

BTW, does anyone have any feedback on that digital guage being offered under the cartridges for sale? SirSpeedy mentioned it a few days ago but I've not been able to find out much about it. If it is that good it could save me another $500.

Hi Raul, you and Bob are right, of course. We should all just relax and enjoy. However, some of us are not new to analog and want to investigate, experiment with this stuff. Far and away the music is the most important thing. If some of us do find a method of setting one of the parameters of a given piece of equipment that yields a better or more consistent result it will have been worth it. Much like experimenting with different types and levels of dampening fluid on some arms.

Anyway, it is all meant to be in taken in good spirits.

Enjoy!