VTA: am I nutz?


Here's why I think I may need to have my head examined. (OTOH, I *did* hit it on the ice last week...hmm...) Anyway, my several weeks' experience in adjusting VTA during play on my Aries 2/JMW-10/Denon 103D has led me to the following conclusion: what I expected was that somewhere in the range of adjustment would be a smaller range which sounded better than the rest, and that below it would be dark and lacking in highs, and above it would be hard and bright.

However, my observation is that no such range exists. Rather there is ONE CORRECT SETTING for each record, from which you may not deviate. Nor is the "above is bright" and "below is muddy" rule always the case. In fact, I find that there is very little variation either above or below the magic setting.

Now this may sound contradictory, but it IS true that I make all my adjustments from record to record within a range of about 20-30 increments on the dial. So while the sound doesn't vary in any logical way within that range, the IDEAL setting will always be found within that range. And yes, thicker records will require a higher setting while thinner will require a lower. No mystery there.

I guess my question is this: is this "only one magic point" finding in agreement with that of other people? Or am I some kind of analog mental case?

Please, 'cause I'm about ready to order the straitjacket... ;-)
bublitchki

Showing 5 responses by newbee

I suggest we give the product a name incorporating the name of the corportation we just formed - We can call it LITP, short for load in the pants.
Not nutz at all. This is the only way to really find the correct angle for the thickness of the particular record and to match the angle of the cutter used on the master. But it is a PITA - however IMHO, for those who really want the best that LP's have to offer, its indispensible.
But Johnnantias, using the same logic I could make a good case for using speakers with poor resolving abilities because it is such a PITA to get them to sound good - they seem to have a bad habit of letting us hear too clearly the sources, pre-amp, amp, cables, etc. But I agree, a conical or eliptical stylus would make things much simpler. Hell, why not just use a porkypine quill. :-)
Johnnantias, Thanks for the reference to the new(?) Sumiko cartridge - I'm all for anthing that makes this vinyl habit less time intensive.
Bublitchki, You need to explore creative writing as a way to make a living. ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!