Rega P9 specs Re: spacers

You sound pretty clean on the shims. You will certainly be close. I used the Wally VTA tool to determine my shim needs (now I can't find it). Be sure to include the Dynavector xx-2 in your cartridge list. Great synergy betwenn Dynavector and Rega.
Best of luck.

Pbb: Thanks for the input on the compliance, that helps a lot. How many spacers do you end of having to use with the Kontrapunkt B?

G_m_c: I am going to have to see about getting one of the Wally VTA tools you mentioned. I need something that will give me accurate measurments.

The problem I am having is that the numbers don't match what I am seeing. With a cart that is 19 mm high I figure I should need 5mm in shims. However, visually and audibly (sp) 2mm seems to do the trick. (tonearm looks level, and it sounds better) This has got me to wondering if something else is out of whack.

I'm just being paranoid I guess, but this was a major purchase for me, and it bothers me that the measurments are not making sense, not to mention the fact of trying to shortlist carts and decide how many spacers I need to have on hand.

I've been thinking about the Dynavector carts. The 20X L or H is probably more in my price range. Do you think it is worthy of the REGA? :)))

Thanks to both of you for your input. I take it you're both happy with the P9. I haven't had much of a chance to listen yet. Looking forward to it though.

In reference to my previous post, what I mean is that if you wish to install a cart without lifting out the factory installed arm to shim it, the Kontrapunkt is at the limit in terms of body height.

OK, thanks for the clarification.

Ortofon doesn't list the height of the Kontrapunkt but it is most certainly more than that of the REGA Exact (which REGA says is 14mm). It's a lot higher. Based on the looks of it, I'd say it's probaby higher than most carts period.

If you are using it without spacers and not having problems, then it seems that trying to calculate spacer requirements beforehand based on the > 14mm measurment is not the way to go. Sounds more like a trial and error thing. I hate that. :(

Thanks for your help, it's back to the drawing board for me. I guess the best approach is pick the cart - have spacers on hand and use them if required.

Getting arm height right is a two step process:

STEP 1
Rough in the height visually. This can be done in different ways, but the point to remember is that ALL one can do visually is rough it in. Logically, this means one should choose a method that achieves an approximately correct setting quickly.

IMO this makes the Wally VTA device almost completely useless. It not only puts you to considerable pains, it complete ignores what matters most: the stylus in the groove.

The SRA methods posted multiple times here by Nsgarch and explained in Jon Risch's article in the FAQ's on VA are more accurate because they focuses on just that: the stylus in the groove. If you're really worried about roughing-in accurately (!), this is probably the best method I know. Spend enough time and you'll get quite close to the sweet zone for any particular arm/cartridge combination.

Personally I just make the cartridge "roughly" level by eye and proceed directly to...

STEP 2
Arm height must be fine tuned by ear, whilst listening to music. No visual adjustment will ever replace that.

Therefore, the best (and most enjoyable) use of one's time is to learn what to listen for and how different adjustments sound.

FWIW, when I had a Rega style arm I replaced the spacers with an aftermarket adjuster. Trying to fine tune by ear otherwise would have been an impossible chore.

My $.02, for whatever they're worth!