VTA Mechanism adapted for Alternative Tone Arm

[Mike_New]

Can one of the Forum managers please help me.
I have been trying to link the two images into this thread but am having problems

[IMG]http://s12.photobucket.com/user/mhne...tml?sort=3&o=0[/IMG]

http://s12.photobucket.com/user/mhne...tml?sort=3&o=1

Hi Folks,
It must be about 3-4 years now when discussions on this forum were active concerning the possibility of retaining the VTA mechanism when using another Tone Arm such as the Jelco.
I guy in Poland I believe did make an attempt at reproducing the double threaded system but did not have much success. The precision required in machining the double co-axial thread was to much for him, not surprisingly. This VTA mechanism would be the most beautifully made component on the whole of the SL1200. The VTA can effectively be adjusted during the replay of a record.
I considered it to be a “bridge to far” and would be expensive for me to machine in small numbers.
However I did adopt another approach as an experiment.
I obtained a VTA assembly (removed from a tone arm) and machined out the whole central part of the inner component and fitted a solid brass insert (as indicated in the images).
However not a great deal of interest was shown at the time so I did not pursue the idea.

If anyone would like to make use of this VTA assembly, they can have it $665.00. I have not bored the hole for the Tone arm column (as this is dependant on the specifications of the Tone Arm). or drilled the three clamping holes.
However I am willing to do this for anyone who wants it.
It is virtually a one-off and I do not expect to make any more except on a special request.

It retains the excellent smooth adjustment of the precision co-axial thread design and also allows the use of a tone arm of your choice.
You get the best of both worlds!!!
See images below curtesy of Audio Al. thanks

[Audio Al]

[Ants]

Mike, is this still available? if so - so the VTA works exactly as original - smooth & no limitation to full range of the original? is the original VTA collar the one in the picture?
Does it include the mounting plate ?
What arms mounts can be accommodated - SME, Linn ????

Anthony

[Mike_New]

Hi Anthony,
What you see is exactly what is offered.
The brass insert can be bored/drilled to accept whatever is required.
The extent of the arms that can be fitted is really limited by the inside diameter of the black adjusting ring.
It was originally designed for the Jelco type arm column.
Both the threaded rings are retained.

[YNWaN]

The Jelco arm column may well be able to fit in the space provided but I would be very surprised if the actual mounting collar fitted - are you sure it will? I see that some machining would have to be done to allow the platter to fit too...

[Mike_New]

As I indicated would position the cut out to clear the platter as required and drill the three mounting holes if required.

[Mike_New]

Anthony,
FYI the brass platform rises a max of 2mm above the black ring and descends by about 6mm below it.
The brass platform is 72mm in dia. The platform can be extended in height by adding a distance piece.
When the unit is fitted into the chassis and the brass platform is fully raised it is 4mm above the surface of the chassis.
The unit retains all the smoothness and feel of the original VTA adjuster.
A VTA mechanism from a reasonably new MKII was used.
The Platform is large enough to accommodate a Shugi type collar.
The flange assembly can of course be painted black.
The unit has been designed for easy dis-assembly by anyone who has a degree of mechanical knowledge.