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The importance of proper set-up

For many of the readers of this forum, this may seem obvious. Certainly, had I read this even a week ago, I would have scanned it with only marginal interest. I have owned a VPI Aries 2 for about 2-3 years. I am using a Transfiguration Temper W. Over the years, I have adjusted the VTA/VTF settings. This was a slow evolution. Each adjustment brought improvement. However, what at first seemed like a fix or cure, proved over time to still be lacking. Initially, I thought the sound somewhat strident or etched. I thought, at least in comparison to cd, the bass was lacking. So, I dropped the arm back slightly, each time being sure to re-check the VTF. I use the Shure SFG-2. Almost invariably, the VTF will have changed with each adjustment. While some people might think I was fooling myself into thinking I heard not too subtle differences with each adjustment, I can only tell you, to my ear, the differences were unmistakable. The funny thing is, and the reason that I felt compelled to share this anectode is that each time I would adjust the table, I would think I "nailed it", the perfect balance of treble, bass, and midrange, while preserving all the ambient soundstage and layering I had previously heard. Now, mind you, certain records would sound better on certain settings, while others I recalled sounding better on earlier settings. For instance, a record which had a deep, rich low end, might sound better with the cartridge tipped up slightly to reinforce the top end. It was only after playing literally dozens of records that I began to formulate an opinion, one way or another as to whether the sound was too thin, or the bass too exxagerated at the expense of air and separation between the players. That would cause me to make yet further refinements. However, whether by luck or just perserverence, I have now stumbled on a setting that has revealed so much of the midband that was previously obscured, it is downright spooky. Those who love analog know that the music lives and breaths in the midband. I don't know whether its the table, the arm (10.5), the releveling of the table, or just catching the perfect rake angle, but after more than 2 years, I am finally enjoying the true virtues of my rig.
My purpose in writing is to suggest that even if you think you have your table set to perfection, if you haven't experimented with other settings, i.e. haven't tipped the sylus up or down slightly, haven't tried to add a tad more weight to the arm, haven't levelled the table precisely, you may not be enjoying the full benefit of your investment. Yes, it is tedius, but let me assure you, the rewards are well worth the effort.
stew3859
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Nsgarch is right, madness lurks around the very next corner!

Now, mind you, certain records would sound better on certain settings, while others I recalled sounding better on earlier settings.
You're but one step from where we are, adjusting arm height for each record. Once you go there, there's no escape. The only way to maintain sanity after that (he said hopefully) is to record each record's optimal setting for quick and painless setup on replays. You'll quickly notice that records on the same label tend to like similar settings, with only a tiny adjustment for record thickness/weight. You can even make lists, which makes finding the best setting for a new record much quicker.

As Nsgarch said, madness! But it sure sounds good doesn't it?!

whether by luck or just perserverence, I have now stumbled on a setting that has revealed so much of the midband that was previously obscured, it is downright spooky.
That's the way we first found that sweet spot, dumb luck and fumbling. The right setting for any particular LP is so tiny that stumbling across it is almost the only way, at least until you practice alot.

More madness!
stew3859's avatar
stew3859 OP
119 posts
 
Setting and re-setting VTA is easy enough. But in my experience, any adjustment in VTA requires a corresponding adjustment in VTF. I think the reasonable compromise is to determine the optimal settings for 120-150g records and a second setting for 180-200g, understanding that you will keep VTF fixed.
dan_ed
2,451 posts
 
Stew,
the small amounts of changes in VTA that Doug uses don't change VTF in an appreciable way. You'd probably not be able to measure the difference with the Shure SFG. These small changes in VTA, we're talking thousandths of an inch here, can make a huge difference on some records and absolutely none on others. I'm in no way disagreeing with finding a happy medium for lighter weight vs. heavier vinyl and living with these settings. This is about all you can do if your arm does not have a VTA micrometer. As Nsgarch and Doug say, to do more is a step into insanity. However, it can unlock real musical magic on many LPs.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Dan's right. I can't even measure the difference with my digital gauge, which goes out to .01g. Certainly no one could measure it with a Shure gauge.

About 2/3 of our LP's fall within a very small height adjustment range, less than one revolution of my tonearm's VTA dial. The bulk of the remainder fall within a similarly small range, but two revolutions lower.

I tweak VTF nearly every day by ear, but adjusting for each LP based on microscopic arm height changes would be madness even for me!
newbee
4,794 posts
 
Madness indeed! Without denying at all, or minimizing, the effect of properly set VTA/VTF I can recall all of the trips from my listening chair to the turn table to give another tweek of the VTA, id infinitum. I wonder when I ever found time to actually relax and enjoy the music! Small wonder that many folks like CD's.

In recent years I've learned to avoid this tinkering and settled on just enjoying the music. What little I lose in sonic's I gain in music appreciation. :-)
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