Help... my turntable is alive!

One of the reasons it's important to understand that there's no such thing as "negative VTA" is that, had the OP initially properly set his VTA, he wouldn't have had his phono cartridge bottom out in the first place. VTA can be set pretty reliably, btw, if you have patience and good tools. There are a few devices that can help set VTA, but this one is my favorite. When you consider the cost many of us have committed to LP playback, the price isn't unreasonable. It's much better than relying on guesswork or estimation.

moonglum

I must be honest. When you first questioned the usage I thought you might be “winding me up”.

Based on your last 2(4?) posts I now recognise that your confusion is genuine.

I'm not confused at all. There's simply no such thing as "negative VTA." I realize that you are embarrassed for having been exposed for your ignorance, but that's not my problem, kind sir.

Where's my previous post!!!!!!!?????!!

Now that you have highlighted the need I rather like the expressions positive/negative VTA. In fact I plan to drop them into casual conversation as often as possible. ;^)
Have a nice day.

Bill

I’ve just been told my earlier post was deleted by a Moderator.

As far as I can recall it was well reasoned and explanatory without abuse or profanity.

I’ll show part of it recreated (with updates) as well as I can recall here :

I fail to understand the problem you (Cleeds) have with the words “negative & positive” in relation to a tonearm’s VTA setting to the extent that you would accuse me of being “ignorant” or “embarrassed”.

If you were a pilot, height/altitude can be expressed as a positive (above sea level) , zero (sea level) and a negative value (below sea level – some airports are a few feet below sea level). Why would you object to people out there applying a similar “convention” to describe the height of a tonearm pivot or arm tube? Also why would you take the reference point "zero" on the Y axis to be associated with a cantilever? I didn't mention cantilevers at all and would challenge you to show me where in this thread?

This “convention” was NEVER directly associated with the cartridge. Why are you trying to make out that it is?

Cleeds said :

“…had the OP initially properly set his VTA, he wouldn't have had his phono cartridge bottom out in the first place.”

 

You’re the only one alleging that the OP did not “initially, properly set his VTA”. I’m sure the facts will become clear when the OP chooses to reveal them.

One clear erroneous assumption by you was equating the expression “NEGATIVE VTA” (SETTING) directly with a cartridge rather than a tonearm VTA adjuster. The context was clear, you ignored it.

Message ends.

Cleeds, it’s clear we’ll have to agree to disagree on this.

"Each to his own".

Bill.