Anyone play with their VTA?

StevieB

I'm going to order the blocks soon and give it a try! Thanks for all the info.

Dawgfish

No problem! I'll be curious to hear your impressions.

gce

I finally got the time to try this. I did the math and setup some gage blocks at nominal (90°), another set at 1° taller and another set 2° taller. First I played a recorded at nominal through 1 song. Then I raised it using the 1° blocks. Play the same song and could hear it opened up a bit, sounded clearer and fuller. Next I raised it with the 2° blocks. Even more clearer and the music filled the room more. Now I checked tracking force and it was off .2grams. then the overhang that needed a little adjustment.

I'm now a believer. Sound it much better...thanks Dawgfish. Who would of thought!

Mikey081057

Check your azimuth adjustment as well. A tiny level that is less than 1g can be placed right on top of the headshell. This will indicate that the stylus azimuth position is set correctly left to right in the groove and can have a significant impact on SQ, soundstage and noise as well. Should be set to 0* Camera angle is showing it as off but from directly overhead it is dead center...

Dawgfish

gce wrote: »

I finally got the time to try this. I did the math and setup some gage blocks at nominal (90°), another set at 1° taller and another set 2° taller. First I played a recorded at nominal through 1 song. Then I raised it using the 1° blocks. Play the same song and could hear it opened up a bit, sounded clearer and fuller. Next I raised it with the 2° blocks. Even more clearer and the music filled the room more. Now I checked tracking force and it was off .2grams. then the overhang that needed a little adjustment.

I'm now a believer. Sound it much better...thanks Dawgfish. Who would of thought!

Good deal! The difference really is amazing! I was lucky that I had a couple of tables that allow quick and easy VTA adjustment so when I first read Michael Fremer's article, it was a quick and easy thing to try. I really didn't have anything to lose other than a few minutes of time. I tried it and immediately noticed the same things you described. Hearing is believing as they say. Happy listening!

Dawgfish

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Check your azimuth adjustment as well. A tiny level that is less than 1g can be placed right on top of the headshell. This will indicate that the stylus azimuth position is set correctly left to right in the groove and can have a significant impact on SQ, soundstage and noise as well. Should be set to 0* Camera angle is showing it as off but from directly overhead it is dead center...

I set my azimuth using a mirror underneath the cartridge resting on the record. I rotate the headshell until the cartridge and reflection are orthogonal to each other. All of my tables but one use removable SME style headshells that allow this. If the stylus is slightly bent, than you do the same thing above using the stylus and its reflection instead.

Interestingly enough I was watching a video on VPI and it showed Harry Weisfeld setting up a VPI Classic. He set the azimuth by placing what looked like a straw or small wooden rod on top of the headshell and rotating the tonearm until the rod was parallel with the platter surface.

gce

Mikey081057 wrote: »

Check your azimuth adjustment as well. A tiny level that is less than 1g can be placed right on top of the headshell. This will indicate that the stylus azimuth position is set correctly left to right in the groove and can have a significant impact on SQ, soundstage and noise as well. Should be set to 0* Camera angle is showing it as off but from directly overhead it is dead center...

I'm unable to put a level on top of my headshell, it's rounded on top. I used the mirror method and all looked good. Now that it sounds better I'm going lower the arm back down 1/2° to make sure I have the sweet spot. Will it never end!

george daniel

Nope,,it never ends