2. analog
  3. 1150730547

VTA and 180 gram vinyl

I have a Music Hall MMF-5. The VTA is adjutable, but it is a pain in the rear. I have started collecting a few jazz reissues on the 18o gram vinyl (with mixed results regarding quality). I am beginning to think that having 2 record mats at different thickness may be the easier solution to compensate for the VTA, rather than get my allen wrench every time. Has anyone tried this solution to the VTA issue for vinyl of different thickness?
billbo
billbo OP
10 posts
 
Thanks, gang. I think you have talked me down from that tree. To continue the discussion....any mat preferences over the standard issue felt?. FYI, I am currently using a Denon DL-110, and am very happy. Overall, I am happy with the turntable. It has only wet my desire for a nicer build quality table, rather than spend hundreds on further upgrades.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
I know what you have to go through to adjust VTA, Billbo. I used to own a MMF 7.

Enjoy,

Dan
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I'm as crazy as any about getting every last bit of performance, but there has to be some fun and spontaneity ......

Sage words, indeed.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Darn. I guess we're just not having fun and spontaneity. And I was just beginning to believe we did! Learn somethin' every day! ;-)

In theory I agree with Lloyd. OTOH, adjusting height on a rig like an MMF (or even a Walker) wouldn't work for us. That's why we went for a rig with SPONTANEOUS, FUN, VTA-on-the-fly. We're eatin' our cake and havin' it too.

Unfortunately that's not doable on an MMF budget. :-(

Billbo, your notion of a quick mat change rather than dragging out the hex keys makes some sense, but IME (and we do adjust for every LP) the benefits of VTA optimization require a finer adjustment than any mat change could accomplish. Large VTA adjustments often have little or no sonic effect. Tiny adjustments within the very small sweet zone for any particular record have a large effect.

Mat-swapping just isn't subtle enough, and therefore I tend to agree with the others on this thread. Choose a mat you like the sound of and set/forget VTA for now. When/if you can spring for a rig that makes it easier to do, I'll take sides in favor of doing so.

In the words of my amp designer, "Enjoy music, tolerate equipment."
tbg
5,263 posts
 
There is no question that thicker LPs sound wrong with the VTA from normal records. I do not have an easy time changing the VTA, but I have installed a simple cardboard ruler beside the tonearm and marked it for both heights. I can change it quickly.

Now that digital has gotten to be a pain like vinyl, I am less resentful of doing these adjustments.

The Walker table was more of a pain as when you adjusted the VTA you also affected the dampening.
More to discover