@badgerdms I hear ya. I never mess with VTA-on-the-fly either, primarily because it's a PITA but also because changing VTA also changes VTF. I used a generic 180g record to set up my turntable and those are the settings I use with all my records.
I can totally understand if you don't want to use the periphery clamp. I don't find it much of a bother, and I've never come close to damaging my cantilever when using it, so I just go for it. There are a few records I have that are just a bit too small for it to work...oh well!