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Can Wrong VTA Damage the Stylus?

I have been using a Rega P3 and Goldring 1042 combo with the Rega spacer under the arm to add lift to the VTA. The sound sounded extremely bright, so I thought cartridge needed break-in time. I then was reading this forum and thought maybe the brightness is caused by VTA. I have been using this too high VTA setting for about 60 hours now. Could I have caused pernament damage to the stylus?

Thanks for your time,
DR
dr_
twl
3,251 posts
 
No. You will be alright. Just re-adjust, and continue.
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
1,989 posts
 
No, it’s just a matter of preference. Ass down will increase bass and sound more bloated, whereas tipped forward will increase high frequency response and may sound too bright. Try and find a happy medium by listening. There really is no wrong or right, despite the general rule of 92 degrees and a parallel arm etc....it comes down to what you like. And absolutely no damage to stylus. Misalignment in other parameter, yes damage could result.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,178 posts
 
Actually, there are two stylus profiles that it might be dangerous to raise the tonearm too high. The Ortofon Replicant 100 and the Fritz Gyger S styluses are very sharp. It is possible that they could dig into the vinyl damaging the record and possibly pulling the stylus off if the stylus rake angle is too high, past 95 degrees (tip of stylus pointed into the oncoming record.)  Other styluses it is not an issue. 
As the stylus drifts either way off the angle of the cutter it can not longer fit into the highest frequency (small) modulations so the high frequencies roll off. If you older than 65 you can go quite a ways before hearing anything:)
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