2. analog
  3. 1364613635

Parallel? How do you set the VTA?

Silly question, but how do you guys determine whether your tonearm is parallel to the record surface? I had my tonearm set up happily for months, but recently started messing around with the cartridge alignment and the VTA, and I'll be damned, but the folded index card method gets me nowhere now. Even with adjustments I keep getting the same visual effect. Happily my ear tells me when the setting is off, but as a base, how do you determine conclusively your tonearm is parallel? For reference, I have a VPI Classic. Thanks.
actusreus

Showing 3 responses by rauliruegas

rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Actusreus: IMHO in many ways and due what you posted this thread have no sense to me. I agree totally with both Dougdeacon posts and I can add something.

You say that you need your Delos parallel because it is the way coils are centered. Lyra is the one that can or not confirm about. Normally all cartridge manufacturers give the advise for a VTF range and this VTF range is taking in count ( between other things ) that coild be centered.

Now, why that VTF range and not an specifiv value?, one of the reasons is that there are different LP weights that have different thickness and in the other side all LPs comes with surface irregualaritis/waves that impede your cartridge stay parallel all the time.

For all that that's why the thread has no sense to me. If what you want it was to know where to find out that level7spirit: why not asked?, simple as that.

Anyway, only an opinions. As always I respect you and all other persons here.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Frogman: Of course and agree with you: what will define where the tonearm will be parallel or not is at wich VTA/SRA the cartridge signal quality performance is the " best ".

Now, due that the analog medium/LP is so imperfect that VTA/SRA is changing every groove on playback as is changing VTF and overhang too.

That Fremer 92 degrees could means almost nothing because that could be only in theory but on playback always is changing. Ok, could be a point to start but nothing to " die for ".

My advise is to have 6-7 differnt LPs that we know in deep and that can help us as a testing tools to the cartridge/tonearm overall set up. These works have to be make it by ears. At the end our cartridge SRA set up can coincide with those 92 degrees but it is not important that that happen but that what we are hearing LP after LP has the best quality performance we can achieve in our audio system.

Unfortunatelly because the whole analog imperfections medium many subjects that gives us the theory can't be achieved during LP playback.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear Brf: +++++ " it is all about the “best” compromise. " +++++

agree " the best compromise ". I only made what Dougdeacon posted when I', testing/comparing audio items and I need not the " best compromise " but the right setting.

I was at Dougdeacon 's place and he is extremely " dedicated " to that VTA/SRA setting but his overall process is not so dificult as we can think because as he said in each one LP he has " notes " to remember him the right VTA/SRA to each LP and he do this very fast.
Even that I normally for day by day listening I prefer " the best compromise " but the Dougdeacon " process " is not only an alternative but IMHO the right one.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
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