reserve vta solves issue on zyx, triplaner

I have found that when i lighten up the VTA i loose to much sound stage, 3d sound and image. I am beginning to believe that this combo is dependent on what turntable used. I had the combo on my Aries 3 set up, my UNIverse had over 1000 hrs on it and i was easily able to track in the 1.65 area with out any problems and had total enjoyment listening to music. When i changed tables to Redpoint i found that at those lower settings i was not enjoying the sound and music as well. I slowly started increasing VTF till i got in the 2.00 to 1.95 area and for me thats where i have VTF for the best sound to my ears.

As for VTA i start out as level as i can determine and make small adjustments from there. And bring the adjustment in by ear for better sound.

The higher VTF is much better for my whole musical picture, i dont think there is a rule but what actually works for you and your gear. You have to make your mind up that until you make changes in your set up you will never know if you can get better sound or worse. It just has to be in small movements because UNIvers is so good that as Doug says when you find that window of sound you will surely know it.

One other very important adjustment is skate adjustments. With Triplanar you can use brass washers and nuts in place of the supplied weight. You can add or subtract when playing with out any harm just lift the skate devise when doing so. I have found that just one washer can make a very large difference in what you are hearing.

Another of the you have to try to hear a difference adjustments.

Trust me your efforts will pay high musical dividends unlike whats going in other worldly issues.

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.