"It will be interesting if Mike keeps his 1.5gm long term on his Garrard, as sometimes what can seem like an improvement in the short term is not as sucessful long term."
Downunder: I think he probably will. There were three of us there and it was fairly evident that this was the best setting. Maybe if the cartridge continues to change he might tweek it a bit more, but I think it was spot on.
I never agreed with HP's assessment in my system. I had the XV-1S much lighter than 2.6. I even think that might be enough VTF to eventually damage the suspension on that cart.
David: No we did not switch the cartridges between the tables. Three tables and three cartridges is quite a bit of work as it is. :)
Tbg: That really was not what we were looking for, it was simply the best sound we could get. |
Whenever you change the vtf, you are altering the vta, which DOES make a significant sonic change!! That most likely is what we are are all hearing! |
Dlanselm, it used to be that you tracked as lightly as you could without mistracking. Are you suggesting that you seek some sonic perfection? I guess I read the earlier posts to suggest what was the lowest VTF without mistracking. Perhaps I am wrong? |
For the first month with my A90 I was tracking at 2.27 on my Reed Tonearm, now I have settled at 2.18.
Just for the heck of it yesterday I listened to a track at 1.55 it was actually better than I thought it would be, however, I found it not the right match for my system.
Also, at a listening session at my friends on a VPI table and arm we settled at 2.18 with the A90 in his system as well after trying several different setting.
It would be interesting to know if you switched the carts to the alternate tables in Mike's system to see if you consistently chose the same settings. Without knowing this is it hard to look to the cart just yet. I actually suspect it is "voice" of each table really causing these vast differences in desired VTF. However as we all know the sound is all that really matters.
David |
This reminds me of advice that was given me after I got my old Grado TLZ cartridge out of mothballs in connection with the MM/MI craze. Someone wrote that someone else on VE wrote that the one and only "correct" VTF for the TLZ was 1.62 gm. This made me laugh, to think that I could ever set it that accurately using a Shure VTF seesaw, notwithstanding the fact that I also believe different tonearms will give different optima. These digital gauges are getting us in trouble. (I finally caved and bought one too.) |
Hi Lew
Tracking force range - 2.0 to 2.5 gm. Recommended tracking force 2.3gm.
It will be interesting if Mike keeps his 1.5gm long term on his Garrard, as sometimes what can seem like an improvement in the short term is not as sucessful long term.
I had a similar situation with the dyna XV-1 and HP insisting that 2.6gms was best. Yes it sounded quite impressive for the short term, however I went back to 2.05 gm's for longer term enjoyment.
A couple of days ago after Mike's post I lowered my tracking weight and had a listen to the same album. It seemed to sound better at the time, so I left it.
I measured it today and it was at 1.97gms. I will live with it for the rest of the week, play a lot of different albums, then go back to 2.3gm's and see what it sounds like then, or maybe something in between.
To me, it is important to go as slow as you can and as Lew has mentioned before - do a longer term ABA - obviously if it sounds wrong you change it.
The thing about the A90 is that it sounds great on most setting. However every time you change/tweak VTA/SRA/VTF/antiskating/azimuth etc, every change is clearly audible.
Paul,
I have no tracking issues with the Phantom at 1.97gms. It would probably be benefitial to go over check all of the alignment parameters in case something is amiss.
cheers |
Lewm: We have tried it on two of the same arms on different turntables and the result was different for both.
If I remember correctly it was between 2.0 - 2.5. Not that dramatically out of range in some cases but quite far in others. |
Just what IS the factory recommended VTF for the A90? And is it really surprising to anyone that the actual optimal VTF might be different for different tonearms? I guess the surprising element is that in all cases the best sound was achieved at a VTF below the factory recommended one, whatever that is. |
Thanks for the suggested lower tracking force recommendation. I will have to try them. |
I did a bit of VTF experimentation with my A90/Phantom II/TNT.
At the moment I have VTF at 2.14g. At this setting the sound-space is more expansive and individual images are more lively, dimensional and nuanced (compared to ~2.3g).
Lowering much further produced some tracking issues in my set-up. The Reed arm (used by Mikel) must be a superb tracker to have no problems with the A90 at 1.55g! |
I totally agree with underdog & you sir (audiofeil) need to grow up.
The Ortofon a90 is a fantastic cartridge. The adjustment(VTF) from the original set up is something everyone should experiment with.
I found the same results after initial break-in is to lighten up the VTF. Soundstage, speed, impact are all improved.
I also feel different tonearm & turntables may prove to have different results.
On the Grand Prix Monaco I found the VTF to be best at 1.95.
so far. |
Audiofeil, What are you trying to say? Jonathan doesn't know his products. You know that is not the case. I think that what he is doing here should be commended in that he's taking the time to try to get some feedback from his customers, and others, on a product that seems to be performing differently than the manufacturer has suggested. He's even made the effort to contact the company (Ortofon) likely to find out their view on this issue. I totally disagree with your take on this, and think it might stem from a bit of jealousy on your part, sorry. |
As a dealer, which wasn't disclosed, I find it amusing you have to ask the readership about your own product.
But then again self promotion is a way of life for you.
What else were you trying to sell Mike?
Go ahead, why not be totally shameless?
It's worked in the past. |
