Thoughts on VTA......

Dear @orpheus10 : I read that link the same year appeared in TNT but that article does not confirms that you are rigth.

In the other side neither R.Gandy Rega designer said that. Rega designer said that cartridge alignment and VTA ( between other set up parameters ) are " aproximations " ( you can read in the Rega tonearm manual. ) and he is rigth but he did not said anywhere that VTA/SRA  changes does not " affect " the sound quality we are listening.

Yes, we can't match exactly the cartridge ridding stylus tip with the groove LP modulations do that we need it not mm. VTA/SRA changes but cms. that precludes to do it.

The other problem is the totally LP imperfections that impedes accurazy in the cartridge/tonearm set up. 
RG said " aproximmations " and in the case of pivoted tonearm designs the geometry alignment  is exactly that way because always exist a tracking error that we can't avoid it.

In the case of VTA/SRA ( RG said is: futile distress about. ) it's the same for different reasons than the alignment regards.

VTA/SRA  changes at each single LP groove do to micro-waves that we can't even seen/ca'n detect. Exist no single truly flat LP surface at micro level that's where the cartridge stylus tip works.

Even that and that we can't match the LP grooves by VTA/SRA changes these VTA/SRA changes makes a difference in the quality sound we are listening and only a deaf person can't detect it and I'm totally sure that RG is not deaf. He said that " VTA is a Neurosis not a technical adjustment ". To each his own.

I respect his opinion but I know he is wrong as you been a follower of him in this regards. Of course that if the changes in VTA/SRA are " minute " ones we can't detect it but all depends on the quality level of the tonearm, cartridge and set up along the home room/system resolution levels.

Btw, it is weird that RG does not gives to much importance to the cartridge/tonearm overall set up when in his own Rega recordings he takes care in deep at each single link on that recording proccess from the microphones selections and position passing for the micro electronics mixing that he designed and builded and self modifications in the recording R2R he uses. He is way demanding of quality there and I know because  I own some of his recordings where comes all the explanation detail how that recording was made it.

Btw, I found a gentleman through the net that posted :

" 

I have spoken to Roy Gandi a few times on the phone. He does have very definite ideas on what a TT should and should not do. Equally I have spoken to Tom Fletcher (Nottingham) on the phone. He too has very definite ideas on all things TT. Both are respected manufacturers and both have a very dedicated following. Generally they agree on the big picture but not on the details.

From what I have seen adjustment of VTA is not merely a case of how close you get to the angle of the cutting head. It is more about optimizing the balance of arm and cantilever to ensure the diamond rides optimally in the groove.

I think most people will agree that there can be quite dramatic changes in the musical presentation....... "

the key there is: optimizing the balance of arm and cantilever to ensure the diamond/stylus tip optimally in the groove... "

That's the best we can approach ( " optimally " with unavoidable restrictions. ), yes faraway from precise but that's all we can do and makes a difference.

That's LP analog.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

Raul, I'm looking at my stylus at eye level, with the diamond just sitting on the record, and it looks precisely like the drawing on this link.


            https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/vta_e.html


This is with the Rega arm and table. If this is what the wood bodied Grado Master looks like, what adjustment do you think I need?

I do it by ear. Too high, and sibilance occurs; too low, and bass goes woolly. There is no one ideal permanent setting due to the variability of LP's thicknesses and the angle of cutting heads used to make the album in the first place. I happen to have a VPI with an easily on-the-fly adjuster, and I don't think I would ever get another turntable without an easily adjustable VTA.

When I had my first turntable which was a Dual 1214 you basically mounted the cartridge.( If I remember it had a rotating clamp interface). You set the crude stylus force adjustment and you started to listen to records. The year was probably 1972 and I was just a young teenager and I do not recall VTA, SRA, azimuth, anti-skating, etc. Done

In 1976 and I purchased my Thorens TD165 which I still have (upgraded now) and I was introduced to anti-skating with the little swinging Thorens weight. Still somewhat of a mystery but I set up the cartridge to the Thorens headshell gauge set the tracking force, the anti-skating per the manual and started listening to records. Done

Flash forward to current day and the discussions on turntable setup are infinite and I believe that some of this adjusting setup per every record, digital microscopes for set up, oscilloscopes, volt meters, special software, etc has taken out the enjoyment of listening to vinyl. 

The Holy Grail that people are searching for is lost within the  manufacturing process variation of all the components in the listening chain. IMHO. 

Buy a decent turntable with a decent cartridge, set it up to the manufactures recommendations, clean your records (cannot stress this enough) and enjoy the music.