VTA my compromise in setting


I installed a new Audiomods Classic Six tonearm replacing a 37 year old Rega RB300 .  During install I had to make a decision on where to set the VTA since it has to be locked in .  I settled on using a 160gr record for my compromise , this being only a little lower than many of today's 180gr and slightly raised for most of my 50's , 60's and 70's collection .  This leaves my few 200gr and those 100gr to 120gr RCA dynaflex records very compromised .

For those who have the option to lock your setting in where did you decide to compromise ? 

 

128x128vair68robert

Showing 1 response by mijostyn

Thank You @testpilot! If you can hear the difference between the various record weights you need to have a long discussion with your shrink. It is more likely that the variation between record Lathes is greater. Set Your SRA at 92 degrees on a 180 gm record. The stylus has to be at it's proper VTF and loaded (on the record). The very best cartridges are constructed very accurately and all you need to set both SRA and azimuth is a Wally Reference tool. This would be cartridges in the $6000 plus category, but it never hurts to check. The less expensive the cartridge the more likely the stylus is to be mounted askew thus the measurement has to be done on the record. Draw the 92 degree angle on a 3 X 3" piece of white cardboard. Use the finest pen or pencil you can find. Prop it up on the record directly behind the stylus so that your line intersects the stylus. With proper lighting and a hand held magnifier adjust the VTA  so that the center axis of the stylus is collinear with the line. If you have a Gyger S stylus or an Ortofon Replicant 100 stylus this method does not work. These styluses are not symmetrical and the measurement has to be taken off the rear surface of the stylus.  

I recently mounted an Audio Technica VM95ML and the stylus was tilted forward 3 degrees (5 degrees off). The tonearm was as high as it would go! I have not looked at any similarly priced Ortofons but I'd bet you dollars to donuts you would find the same sort of thing. With these cartridges the labor to do QC is more expensive than the cartridge!