reserve vta solves issue on zyx, triplaner

I'll try to simplify this,to be a bit different.Since all other posts are so darn good already.

Get a good(you'll enjoy it anyway)LP consisting of a "hand-bell choir".It may take some work to find,but this is superb set-up material,and gorgeous sounding instruments anyway.

Follow the previous posts regarding set-up,and listen to the actual timbre of the various "Bells".When gotten correctly,they have an etheral delicacy,and stunning precision!
The subtle dynamis (soft and loud)metallic qualities will stand out in bold relief....

If the arm/cartridge(or any other set-up parameters) are off,even in the slightest,the bells will sound more like "glass" than metal.You'll know it when it clicks in...Guaranteed!!

Good luck

thanks for all the comments guys

why the vta dial in failed to work previously is that I only varied it in near parallel arm mode

the horizontal alignment (dropping the back of the arm down) needed to get vta dialed in is pretty large (like 1/4 inch)so I was never in that field of play in my adjustments

I have a Feikert where you can lock in pivot to spindle distance, but they are not the best for getting the arc / azimuth perfect. two point method with poor sight lines

I've since ordered a mint from Yip and am awaiting arrival

the following thread at the Galibier sight led me there,
thanks for the confirmation here

http://www.galibierdesign.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=75

my sound is now great with the tail down vta, but I can't wait to dial the setup in more precisely to get the most out of my analog

I'm also concerned that the canilever may have relaxed too much and that my clearence is minimal

thanks again
Tom

Hi Tom, Look into cartridge loading too. That can take out a lot of excess high frequency energy without loosing speed or detail (in fact increasing it).

My ZYX is very relaxed in the Triplanar, and if anything the rear of the arm is slightly higher.

atmas - I have the ZYX Artisan for a phono preamp
which I would think would be ideally calibrated for the Universe from a loading standpoint

antiskate etc - I've already bought into all the triplaner tips Doug and company have listed here

Audiotomb, I agree. Funny how the ZYX cartridge behaves differently with different preamps, even when they are loaded the same.