Stylus Rake Angle

Csontos, I don't think so but you could say the same thing about SRA as well. What percentage of 1 degree of SRA is adjusted for with fine VTA adjustment?

I think 92 degrees SRA as a starting point is better than just setting the arm to level and having no idea what the SRA is. Adjust for best sound after that. You should get more consistent results adjusting between various different carts by starting at 92 degrees.

Even though there is no standard for SRA, 92 degrees seems to be the middle of the range for what records are cut at. To me it would be logical for a cart designer to shoot for 92 degrees when the tonearm is level if possible. That way it is easier to get to whatever SRA sounds best within the adjustability of the arm.

I think it would be a good thing to have a standard but it is probably a little late in the game for that. I wonder if modern reissues are all pretty much the same SRA or are they still all over the map?

As said before in this thread it is not possible to get an accurate reading of SRA using a microscope unless you are lined up perfectly due to the curvature of the optics. How one knows they are lined up perfectly I do not know. I have very good close up vision and trust it more than my results with a USB microscope. My far away vision is another story though. ;)

Sean

Don_c55, I think what most people are adjusting for with fine VTA adjustment is actually proper overhang. Adjusting VTA will change overhang slightly. IME overhang adjustments make more difference than SRA adjustments. This is just a theory and I have no hard evidence to support it but it is my suspicion. Not to say SRA does not make a difference because it does. I just think fine VTA adjustment has more to do with dialing in overhang than it does with dialing in SRA.

Sean

Csontos, This is easy to test for yourself. Just check your overhang after you change SRA. I've done this many times and you might be surprised how much it moves. The only instance it wont change is if you started out with tail up and then changed to tail down the exact amount from level that you were with tail up. This is because at level your overhang will be the farthest. Going tail down or up from level will shorten your overhang.

I agree Raul. I think it is worth resetting overhang after changing in SRA. Especially if you moved it allot.

Atmasphere, Does azimuth vary from cutter to cutter and lathe to lathe? If so it would not surprise me.

I think what John is trying to explain is that the arc of the stylus as it moves from side to side will be slightly different if the angle of the cantilever does not match that of the cutter. Irregardless of the SRA of the stylus/cutter.

I've never seen a LP cutting lathe up close. Does the cutter have a cantilever and suspension just like a cartridge?