VTA is incorrect. It is SRA that you should be adjusting for. VTA is just a gross estimation of a starting point using the armwand as a guide, but the stylus rake angle is the rake of the stylus in the groove so the sides of the stylus that interact with the record groove are optomized for the angle of the waves cut into the vinyl by the cutting head when it was made.
Think of it this way, with a fine line or Shibata stylus the edges of the stylus are sharply pointed. The high pitched tinkly sounds are also highly pointed waveforms cut into the vinyl. You want to align the angle of the stylus fine edge with the tinkly waves so they are the same. Sonically it means that those tinkly tings are sharp and distinct without fuzz or sibilance. If they are aligned correctly then the bass and mids should also. Hard to describe, but easy to visualize with a simple picture. Think of the box in this picture as the small peak wave of the vinyl groove, and the blue oval as the edge of the stylus. I think you'll get it then.
http://hem.bredband.net/thomasakerlund/stylus.jpg
Fremer has come up with 92 degrees being optimal, but you need a super microscope to come close to even seeing that.
Enjoy,
Bob
Think of it this way, with a fine line or Shibata stylus the edges of the stylus are sharply pointed. The high pitched tinkly sounds are also highly pointed waveforms cut into the vinyl. You want to align the angle of the stylus fine edge with the tinkly waves so they are the same. Sonically it means that those tinkly tings are sharp and distinct without fuzz or sibilance. If they are aligned correctly then the bass and mids should also. Hard to describe, but easy to visualize with a simple picture. Think of the box in this picture as the small peak wave of the vinyl groove, and the blue oval as the edge of the stylus. I think you'll get it then.
http://hem.bredband.net/thomasakerlund/stylus.jpg
Fremer has come up with 92 degrees being optimal, but you need a super microscope to come close to even seeing that.
Enjoy,
Bob