To get your VTA right you need a high power microscope. take the cartridge off and measure the stylus to the cantilever angle. Then remount it and measure the cantilever to the record angle because the stylus is too small, it can't be done accurately. That is the only way to get it right.
One high-end cartridge was 7 degrees off. Far our of my adjustment range. I put a wedge between the cartridge and the headshell and all is OK.
I think someone here suggested different mat thicknesses to vary the VTA.
If you want a non-reflective mat, as I prefer, get a thin sheet of sorbothane. It is very sticky to vinyl though, so cut a thing isolating layer of something so it won't adhere to the record. That makes a huge difference in sound.
One high-end cartridge was 7 degrees off. Far our of my adjustment range. I put a wedge between the cartridge and the headshell and all is OK.
I think someone here suggested different mat thicknesses to vary the VTA.
If you want a non-reflective mat, as I prefer, get a thin sheet of sorbothane. It is very sticky to vinyl though, so cut a thing isolating layer of something so it won't adhere to the record. That makes a huge difference in sound.