2. analog
  3. 1219241520

I'm taking a poll...

Vote for A, B, or C---

Assuming all other turntable set-up parameters are dialed-in, optimum vinyl playback is achieved when:

A. You set the tonearm at level and leave it there.
B. You use your ears and adjust the VTA incrementally up or down.
C. You get the stylus to ride in the groove at a 2 degree angle forward, to match the assumed angle of the cutting stylus.
will_herrera
will_herrera OP
40 posts
 
For Viridian to read:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/messages/1240.html
narrod
1,064 posts
 
B. Not sure about accuracy of that 2 degree angle statement.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Viridian, I think Will meant 22 degrees, not 2 degrees.

I typically start with A, (assuming the cartridge itself is parallel with the tonearm), and then move onto B for further a variety of record thicknesses, until I get the sound dialed in to what I like best.

(I don't bother with changing my VTA for different record thicknesses, so I just set it somewhere between the thin and thick records in my collection. I prefer to listen to music, than to play around with the VTA in order to get the nth degree of sonic bless.)

My two cents worth.
Post removed 
will_herrera OP
40 posts
 
Actually, the 22 degrees on that page refers to VTA. A few paragraphs down he talks about an ideal SRA being at 1 degree from vertical, but then if you click on his "PS" follow-up at the bottom he corrects his mistake and states that the ideal SRA is actually 2 degrees from vertical, so that's where the 2 degrees in my original post comes from.

Here's another interesting page, read the portion at the bottom:
http://www.theanalogdept.com/effective_length.htm

Personally, after spending days thinking endlessly about this stuff, I'm really beginning to believe that getting the stylus rake angle in the ball park is the way to go, no matter what the VTA and height of the tonearm pivot turns out to be in the process of getting it there. peace, Will
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