How to go abut setting VTA?

[magiccarpetride]

Recent discussions prompted me to do some more reading on VTA and the effects it can have on the sound quality. What I took away from my brief study is the conclusion that optimal VTA can vary from LP to LP. But for each particular LP, optimal VTA can only be determined empirically, that is to say, by LISTENING.

Here is where I get confused -- if I am to determine an optimal VTA by listening, that means that I would have to play the record and listen to it, stop the playback, modify the VTA, play the record again and listen to the effects new VTA brought, then stop the playback, readjust the VTA and so on. Rinse, repeat.

So the above exercise means that I'll be in the short period dragging the stylus repeatedly over the same grooves, as I'm fishing for the best results. So where's the problem? Well, from what I've learned about the vinyl playback, each time the stylus is tracking the grooves, the friction generates fairly high heat. And since the vinyl is pretty susceptible to high temperatures, repeat friction may permanently alter and even damage the grooves. That's why it is recommended to wait at the minimum one hour before replaying the same side of an LP.

This fishing-for-results approach to VTA setting seems to put the grooves at risk. Especially if we're talking some rare, valuable pressing. So how do you guys go about mitigating this risk of damaging your grooves while playing with VTA?

[killie99]

Set it and forget it.

[Stratmangler]

Pete Riggle

[Barry]

With all arms I set up the VTA so the arm tube is parallel with the record surface. Then I will play around with the VTF (starting with say 0.25g below the manufacturer's maximum recommended value, and adjust in small increments around that). Having found the best VTF to my ears, I then check the VTA. Usually it won't have changed from the arm being parallel with the record, but if it has, then it is restored so the arm is parallel.

With an arm which does allows user adjustment of VTA whilst the record is being played, then this parameter is adjusted using a long record track (usually some classical music). Again in most cases I find that I end up with the VTA being such that the arm is parallel to the record. I certainly don't replay the same track repeatedly over and over again. I don't look at the stylus cantilever, nor do I use a USB microscope to measure the SRA; for some cartridges such as the Decca, there is no cantilever to see!

Once set up it is left set - I certainly don't mess around changing things depending on the thickness (weight) of the record being played.

[Stratmangler]

http://www.vtaf.com/3ptmount.html

[magiccarpetride]

With all arms I set up the VTA so the arm tube is parallel with the record surface. Then I will play around with the VTF (starting with say 0.25g below the manufacturer's maximum recommended value, and adjust in small increments around that). Having found the best VTF to my ears, I then check the VTA. Usually it won't have changed from the arm being parallel with the record, but if it has, then it is restored so the arm is parallel.

With an arm which does allows user adjustment of VTA whilst the record is being played, then this parameter is adjusted using a long record track (usually some classical music). Again in most cases I find that I end up with the VTA being such that the arm is parallel to the record. I certainly don't replay the same track repeatedly over and over again. I don't look at the stylus cantilever, nor do I use a USB microscope to measure the SRA; for some cartridges such as the Decca, there is no cantilever to see!

Once set up it is left set - I certainly don't mess around changing things depending on the thickness (weight) of the record being played.

This totally makes sense. Providing, of course, that we subscribe to the 'set it and forget it' mantra. But as far as I'm aware, there are people who prefer to tweak VTA for each and every LP they play. In which case, they'd be forced to keep replaying the same grooves over and over until they reach satisfactory sound.

[karma67]

yeah but unless you vta 'on the fly' thats insane!

[struth]

I have et a few who have a changed vta to thickness of record. they have a chart and it is just a quick change. You need a fancy arm I guess. Ive never altered my sme since I got it. It always looks close enough as not to be an issue(for me)

[walpurgis]

yeah but unless you vta 'on the fly' thats insane!

Well lets face it. Nobody is obliged to be right in the head to be here!

[karma67]

i use feeler gauges!
thats how round the twist iam am!!!!