setting VTF with a digital guage

What range of variation are people getting? I have a cheapie digital scale I got off eBay and I don't get a variation greater than +/- 0.05g irrespective of where I put the scale: on top of platter or next to it (given my set up, this puts the scale at least .5 in. lower). I believe I can hear differences in this degree of variation. However, in my opinion, accuracy is not essential here. Precision is more important. One has to locate the correct vtf by ear anyways, so once one is around the area one wants it's just a matter of being able to locate the preferred setting again after repeated testing of different vtf's.

Even for someone like me who adjusts vta for every record, taking a scale out for every record seems insane.

Despite my suggestion to develop a calibration factor for the Acoustech, I didn't go to that much trouble to set VTF. Close enough was good enough.

I had (and liked) the Acoustech digital gauge but it failed on me. I went back to using a Shure gauge and it works OK, but I missed the convenience and accuracy of a digital gauge. I bought one that was built like a tank (unlike the more delicate "analog" ready gauges with the thin platforms) and made a platform extension out of a credit card that was the same height as my setup LP. Works great; easy to use and reliable.

For Kiddman: Although not precisely consistent, there's a relationship between record weight and record height (thickness). I use a thick 180g LP as a reference to set up a cartridge and use a 0.5 mm Herbie's Donut platter mat to partially compensate for 120-150g LPs to keep the SRA within a relatively optimal range. I also bought a 0.8 mm Donut mat for very thin LPs (Dyna-Flex) but most often just use the 0.5 mm mat. For 160g LPs I either use the mat or use a bare platter depending on the mastering.

It sounds complicated but it's not. I can flip the Donut mat onto the platter or remove it in a matter of seconds. And it does make enough of an improvement to be worth the cost and effort, though I probably wouldn't bother buying the 0.8 mm mat.

Regards,
Tom

You definitely want to set the tracking force at the playing surface. Tonearm balance geometry generally alters tracking force if it set at a horizontal plane different from that of the record.

I measured out a stack of cds plus my scale as tall as the platter and mat with a record on. I then took off the platter sand used the cd scale stack to set the VTF. The diff was .07g and I have my ortofon mc-3 turbo tracking at 2.05g and my RP6 is sounding better and better as it breaks in and I dial it in. :)

I use this scale: Pocket Digital Scale APTP445, which can be found on ebay for $12 including shipping and is quite accurate.

Definitely at the playing surface, otherwise incorrect measurement ! Nearly all digital gauges measure at too much high level, so you need to measure without record.