Is extremely accurate "VTA" adjustment necessary?

I use an additional DIY wool felt "rider/spacer" mat for thin LP stock (set the VTA using thicker late 50's/early 60's RCA "shaded dog" stock).

During the Winter months I use DIY cork "Spot Mats" (made up thicker/thinner versions).

I have some killer stuff on thin import LP's (like Mari tribal music), and it sounds nicer/fuller with the thicker mats.

Simple, easy and effective.

Rene:

The wool felt mat is apprx. 1/16", or a bit less due to the felt compressing. I use one and/or two of the same mats along with an 8 ounce record weight. I suppose that garment/upholstery wool would work if thinner mats/shims are required. Not thinking I recently discarded a moth damaged Winter weight Burburry wool suit (should have saved a few 12" sqaures of material from the back of the jacket).

The cork I purchased (to make the Spot Mats) was spec'd in millimetres, but I've since tossed the packaging. The materials look to be approx. 1/16" and a bit less than 1/8", so figure less than 1/16" difference between the lower/higher mats.

A simple Spot Mat can be made with a sheet of paper and cork "rounds". Not very durable, but it will allow you to see if the design works with your deck. I've also used felt Spot Mats, but prefer the cork versions.

Not a perfect solution, by any means, but the added height does improve the sound of thin LP stock quite a bit.

Gregadd:

Go away until you have "first hand" experience on anything other than ZIP/Whack Off in this regard.

Gregadd:

Fascinating that you have not learned to set VTA by ear in all this time (30 years - I certainly have:-)

As cartridge manufacturer's recommendations/guidelines are generally far from spot on I can't imagine a better way (in general) to adjust VTA.

This said, in the spirit of the thread, adjustable "on the fly" VTA is a desirable feature, IMO, but then again this is usually adjusted/set by ear.

As to not confuse the subject your initial post/claim specifically regarded to VTA.

Tools/"O" scopes are helpful for other adjustments (not VTA).

My last reply to you disappeared, hopefully this one will stick.

Fran:

Attended a wedding today. Nice kids, both musicians/songwriters, and still feeling positive in the aftermath (this will most likely pass:-).

Gregadd:

I believe that there is a "play" area as far as VTA goes. VTA to me is then a tone control/balance adjustment.

The interaction between various LP grooves and various styli is far from being of a consistent nature.

I also DO NOT make "minute" adjustments on an LP to LP basis, and instead use the simple rider mat procedure I mention first on in the thread. However, I would enjoy having this capability if it were easy to use.

The adjustable arm I tried years ago may have been an Alphonsen (sp), but I'm not certain. The deck itself was a higher end Rega. I can't image easily adjusting this arm on my suspended deck (it was tricky enough on the fixed deck), nor do I even know if the arm works well on suspended decks.

I set the standard VTA of my arm/cartridge (standard being a mean of the typical/thicker LP stock I play) using two sets of ears. My wife prefers less treble/more bass than myself and I adjusted the VTA with both tastes/preferences in mind.

I installed coaxial drivers in order to make adjustments, other than that of VTA, as my everyday speakers start rolling off @ around 14Khz. Instead of normal placement the two speakers were placed out into the room, approx. 4' apart, in a triangular near field setup.

I used to have these adjustments done @ a local shop that used an "O" scope along with my test LP's, but the shop and my friend who worked there are long gone.

Both setup methods seem to give the same results, though there was a certain peace of mind having it done @ the shop with the test gear. The shop was also much faster (1 hour VS my few weeks of making further minor adjustments when I felt like it).

I find it impossible to set up a cartridge (by ear) in a single attempt as after a short while I loose my ability to hear clearly. Big difference between analyzing sound and listening to/enjoying music.

TWL mentioned an add-on VTA adjustment device for Rega arms (got the impression that it could be used "on the fly") a few years ago, but I have not read/heard anything further about it.

An Audiogon ad for an after market "on the fly" VTA product was linked in a thread @ AA. An Audiogon search of "VTA" and/or "Pete Riggle" should bring it up.

The current asking price is $99.

Can't imagine it fitting my old SME, but it might be of interest to those using inexpensive Rega arms.

Jphii:

What arm do you use with the VTAF (that's the one I refer to)?

Rene:

6mm is .23 inches. I do not recall making any changes nearly that large, once the arm/cartridges were intially "ballparked" in. This (the small changes) are what made the adjustments somewhat difficult to make, for me anyway.

The less than 1/16" crude change, I make with the rider mats, seems to be approx. the same range (a little more) used with the adjustable arm. I'm guessing the arm was 9-10".

I'm also currently using less than SOTA cartidges, which are not very fussy.

We were trying older Grace and Denon cartridges on the Rega deck (mentioned earlier). Didn't care for the sound of the Denon's and was told that the Grace would be too delicate (my wife and teenage Godson also use the TT).

An interesting LP to try, with an easily adjustable arm, is "The Last Castrato". I have two versions (think the later one was issued on Pearl). It used to sell for <$10 on Ebay.