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VTA for arm vs VTA for cartridge

Hi have a Thorens 125 MKII, SME 3009 Series II tone arm and Grado Gold cartridge.

I've been looking for a better bass response, and decided to reassess my VTA.

It was set for the tone arm (arm horizontal to the record, or nearly so). I tried lowering it, but didn't get the improvement in bass I was hoping for.

Something motivated me to check my cartridge instructions. The VTA for the cart is supposed to be set so that the base is horizontal. Because of the way its designed the arm ends up angling down. This makes sense as far as the cart is concerned, even if it defies the tone arm instructions.

I have a thick mat which makes it impossible to get this exactly right. But it is just a bit lower now than the correct VTA now.

Here's the interesting thing. When I compare the bass and highs, etc. in recordings from both VTA setups I don't hear much difference. In fact, the bass seems a little more prominent in the VTA I set had originally set for the arm.

Maybe it all too subtle to tell with my headphones right now.
gritingrooves

Showing 3 responses by rushton

rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Gritingrooves, various cartridges are more and less sensitive to changes in VTA. Grados typically are pretty tolerant of VTA and typically don't change much sonically with small changes in VTA (unlike some other cartridges). Trust what your ears are telling you about the best setting. Many Grado models seem to sound best with a slightly lowered VTA (the arm slightly down at the rear). As you comment, give priority to the cartridge manufacturer's recommendations because of variances in alignment of the cartridge body from manufacturer to manufacturer.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Follow Lloyd Walker's fine tuning instructions to which you provided the link, Gritingrooves. After getting the arm and cartridge in place as best you can visually, let your ears be your guide in the iterative listening process Lloyd describes and you will get good results. This is the best process for fine tuning a turntable setup I've ever used.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Yes, agree the cartridge should be your starting point. The angle of the arm is irrelevant in and of itself. This is all about getting the angle of the stylus in the groove set correctly. Here's a good diagram illustrating what you're looking to accomplish.
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