Advice on setting VTA

There is not much info, no, in regards to setting VTA in manual. I’m not that concerned, it was just a question put out there out of curiosity as to how others go about setting their VTA. And yes, I personally can hear a difference in the VTA setting. Right now I have my hana el slightly ass down as I think it sounds nice this way. Too far tilted in opposite direction I feel it to be a bit harsher and the bass not as well defined. The only issue with the pro ject arm is it that it has a taper, it gets slightly narrower as it nears the headshell area of tonearm,  as I noted in prior postings. So to visually see parallel is not easy. That is why I’m going about checking VTA via viewing both top and bottom of cartridge to get it close. Yes, I understand I should be more concerned with viewing the actual stylus take etc. .. but without high magnification i cannot see it very clearly. I’m old.....

Hi,
follow general instructions from cartridge manufacturer, and then adjust by ear (assuming all other alignment is correct). Parallel arms or cartridge bodies tell me nothing. What you want to achieve is nearly correct or absolute SRA (remember it is largely affected by playing weight).

The hana el is a nude elliptical so it is not as critical or as sensitive to the VTA as say a line contact stylus. But that does not mean I dont want to at least get it close to what it should be. Perfection will not be found due to too many variables so I'm not losing any sleep over it. Post was created generally out of my own curiosity. I do appreciate all the responses and will have to take the time to go back and read them all.

From the way it sounds I think I’m most likely pretty close to ideal, at least for my ears. I’m sure that I can probably get it closer...by using a high power microscope etc similar to what Fremer uses, but I most likely will just leave it be....my pro ject turntable is a pia to adjust it, not much fun. No adjust on the fly here...

Given all the complicated post here, I thought I would chime in with a post I've used before. Here is my $.02 keeping in mind that success will depend on stylus shape and the quality of associated components.  And some experience listening.

Keep in mind that VTA setting should NOT be a tone control.  There is one correct setting for a disk.  But with a disk you should be close enough not to change for each disk unless you are particularly obsessive.  Many of us are.  Setting vta (really, sra) is like aligning the reading head on a tape machine.  There should be one correct setting.  It's not really an opinion issue.  But it's also not very easy for most of us. 

All best done by ear.  Even with expensive microscopes, last setting is by ear.  Save your money.

Find a recording that people say is good for hearing the differences when you adjust SRA. Do a search here and elsewhere; there are lots of suggestions out there.*   If you can't find one, take a record of a female singer and listen to it over and over 'till you know it very well. I have used Joni Mitchell's "Blue."  Make sure it's something you like 'cause you'll be listening to it a lot.

Set your tone arm to level and listen to the recording a few times. Level is only a beginning point. It is rare for absolutely level to be the end point with a sophisticated stylus shape and components.

Read all you can about your cartridge and see if reviewers or users have a consensus suggesting tail up or down.  Change the angle in that direction a very small amount and listen to the whole record. You are listening for the voice and instruments to "pop" making them more 3 dimensional. It's quite subtle, but it's there with the a stylus having a clear rake. Do that again and again in very small increments. If you do not hear improvement soon go back and stay at level.

If your reading does not come up with a tail up or down consensus. You may have to try this in both directions.

If you do not hear this kind of improvement, go back and stay at level.  Go on to adjust azimuth which many (including Peter Ledermann) consider the most important adjustment.

* Flying Fish HDS 701, "Sauerkraut and Solar Energy" is a popular suggestion, though one listens for other things using this disk--the bass fiddle.  And great record besides.  If you do get this record, there's a lot of posts on how to use it.