Reviving an old thread in case anyone reads this and wants more input... I've owned a Benz Micro Wood SL for over two years. I have always set VTA with the top of the cartridge level to the playing surface. Recently, I listened to some vinyl rips of a Lyra Delos that I briefly owned (bought one while the Woody was being serviced). The Wood sounded a bit dull when comparing the same recordings. So I slowly raised the tail on my VPI Classic tower an listened at each interval. It wasn't until several (many) turns later that the highs returned to where I remembered them being when the cart was young. So, the suspension definitely settled in over time and it caused the highs to be truncated. Now, the tail is raised maybe 1-2 degrees above level and it sounds fantastic (again). I am amazed that I had to go that high. But I wish I would have done this a year or so ago. I would recommend for anyone to experiment. Go way above what you think is level and have a listen. Then go further up still and check again. You might be surprised.
Any of you experiment with optimal VTA for Benz Micro Cartridges
I've heard that some cartridges vary as to what VTA is actually optimal for them contrary to what the perfectly horizontal/vertical positioning of the cartridge body might suggest. I have my Benz Micro mounted such that the front plane of the wooden body is perfectly vertical as I assume that was the design intent for the correct VTA. Is that true?