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What angle should I set the VTA on my VPI turntable?

I can't believe after all these years, I am asking such a basic "analogue 101" question, but here it goes. I own a VPI turntable that has a "VTA on the fly" knob.  I thought the best VTA setting was for the arm to be 100% parallel to the record surface.  

However, based on some research, I am not so sure that is correct way to set the arm to achieve optimal VTA and correlatively, optimal SRA.  Not sure, ... but I think I have to raise the pivot side of the arm.

Any advice would be appreciated. 

Thanks.     
bifwynne

Showing 2 responses by dover

dover
2,188 posts
 
@audioguy

 In general, you want the tonearm parallel to the record...from there, you can tweak it to your liking, cartridge ass down, or tipped forward...generally ass down, more bass and more full, tipped forward, more treble or high frequency detail..
This is the most common mistake in setting VTA.

This is not correct.

VTA should not be used as a tone control.
The correct VTA is when the information retrieval and soundstage presentation are maximised. That is when the stylus is aligned to the cutting angle used for the record and maximum information including natural harmonic structure is preserved on reproduction.
dover
2,188 posts
 
@noromance 

Raised at the back is lighter and brighter. Lower is heavier bass and rolled off highs. Find your preference in between. 


This is the most common mistake in setting VTA.

VTA should not be used as a tone control.
The correct VTA is when the information retrieval and soundstage presentation are maximised. That is when the stylus is aligned to the cutting angle used for the record and maximum information including natural harmonic structure is preserved on reproduction.

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