VTA adjustment for VPI 10.5i tonearm

Listening is good.

Another question though: What are the margins for the needle's placement in the cantilever? Is it really that exact between different carts of the same model? Or different models? Small margins here would make a lot of difference in VTA/SRA, and the question regarding the tone arm's position, relative to parallell or not to the record, quite uninteresting.

Thanks again for your responses, all useful information. I started experimenting last night, slightly raising and lowering VTA and listening with a friend. I do not obsess over it, just want to maximize the sound quality for best overall sound quality and leave it there. Small changes can make a difference!

From my limited experience I would say don't be afraid to make large adjustments up and/or down from level. A small change of say 1/16 of an inch at the rear of the arm will net almost no adjustment at the stylus. What sounds good to you might be beyond a "small" adjustment, such as moving the rear of the arm 1/4 inch (maybe more). I made the mistake in my system of too small of adjustments for a long time till I moved the arm a large amount and then found what I liked, for now.

Good luck,
Mike

I'll try that. I was making pretty small changes, not nearly as much as you suggested. A large adjustment in VTA can affect VTF, so I'm aware that this has to be checked. Thanks for your input!

Most records are cut at a 22 degree VTA. So if you can emulate the angle with the cantilever you are 95% there. I cut a 22 degree angle in a piece of white board bent it at rt. angles so that it would stand up , placed it on a stationary record on the turn-able, lowered the stylus/tonearm onto the record, lined up the cantilever with the 22 degree edge of the card by adjusting the VTA and I had almost hit the hot spot immediately. After that it is minor increments where you let your ear take over.