Triplanar Users VTA

Frankly the arm has nothing to do with it. What is perfect VTA with one cartridge will be completely different with another. If the cartridge body height is a lot different then the arm will have to be raised or lowered accordingly. VTA is all about getting the stylus the right angle in the groove. The arm really does not factor into it at all.

Differing platter heights and tonearm mounting heights and as @millercarbon said, cartridge variances make this question irrelevant.

3 for 3: it’s the cartridge, baby.

@lewm I'm assuming he meant the actual numerical setting on the vta adjustment on the Tri-Planar.  He didn't even mention which revision, so I was going broad. :)

Ok guys my bad let me ask again, for those that are using a MK VII U 2 Triplanar arm. When the arm is level or the cartridge which ever you prefer, about how many turns or levels on the scale should you have to get to for 92* SRA? I know and understand there will be many differences due to different tables cartridges etc, etc. I am just curious as to where other have landed?

@jsman If you start with the arm tube level (parallel with the LP surface) **and** the cartridge is set to the recommended tracking weight, if the cantilever isn't defective then you will be at the 92 degree 'rake angle'.


But the thing is, LPs are not cut to exactly 92 degrees. The cutter head is set up to get the lowest noise groove when the cutter stylus is replaced, not 92 degrees. It will be pretty close to 92 degrees when the lowest noise groove as achieved (this is tested thru test cuts the engineer performs after replacing the stylus). As a result, the 92 degree thing is an approximation; an average. I know this because I have my own LP mastering lathe.


The actual correct setting with thus vary from LP to LP, not only due to the correct rake angle but also due to variable thickness of the LP (100 gram, 120 gram, 150 gram, 180 gram and 200 gram vinyl). The VTA is adjustable on the fly with the Triplanar. To really take advantage of it you'll want to have a log on each LP that states the correct setting of the VTA with the particular cartridge you're using at the time. If you change out the platter pad or the cartridge this number will change (hence the log).


Sometimes the stylus isn't mounted correctly in the cantilever (IOW the cartridge has a defect). You might know this because it won't sound right set up as I described in the opening paragraph, or you might know it because you got one of those USB microscopes so you can look at it and see if its correct. So far I've not had to bother; I just set up the arm as I described and its always worked great.

@atmasphere,
Thank you for that info that is exactly what I was looking for! So with a level arm tube the adjustment to find the sweet spot should be very slight from this position. 

@jsman Yes- if at all. You just have to play with it and see, keeping in mind that it will be different for every LP.

I am glad you got your information and that you can enjoy your triplanar as I do. But the way you asked your question it seemed to me and some others as though you wanted to know exactly what one setting on the circular gauge achieves “correct” VTA, presumably so you could set up your tonearm once for all situations. But the correct or baseline VTA setting  of course will be entirely dependent on what cartridge you are using (and the vinyl and the platter mat). The markings on the circular gauge at the top of the pillar are simply there to provide a handy reference point, so you can keep a record for what works with what, which you evidently do understand. Sorry for the confusion.

@lewm  If you have an older Triplanar you may not be aware that the newer ones have two scales- one coarse and the other (the one on top) fine. The coarse scale on the front makes the top dial more useful.

The precision of the tower has also been vastly improved.

@atmasphere ,
@lewm ,
Thank you both for your time and help I do appreciate it, now that I have a more complete and better understanding of the sweet spot I will begin the process... Thanks again BTW I am using a Soundsmith Sotto Voce cartridge in case you were curious.

Atma, I am aware of the improvements.