Rega P9 specs Re: spacers

Thanks Doug, I've read the articles you mentioned, but as you said the fine tuning methods can't really be applied to the REGA without the aftermarket VTA adjuster. I don't know if there is such an animal available for the RB1000 tonearm.

Seeing as I'm not that experienced at setup, I decided I would like to keep things simple, and sacrifice the fine tuning for now.

It's not turning out to be as straigtforward as I expected though because the numbers I have been given to work with are not making sense.

According to specs, I should need 5 mm spacing for the cart I am using; however, 2mm spacing is what gives the best result both visually and audibly. Obviously the answer is to use the 2mm spacer, and forget about it, but it bothers me that the numbers don't work out, and I keep wondering if I am missing something, or if something else on the table is out of spec. not to mention the difficulty in planning for future cart. purchases.

Thanks again, let me know if you have any info on the VTA adjuster for the RB1000

Pete Riggle's VTAF "should" work on an RB1000, though it would require modifying the plinth (slightly larger mounting hole). I've heard nothing but good reports from users, though I haven't used one myself.

Info here: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?anlgtnrm&1171748089

Doug:
I won't be drilling any holes in the table that's for sure. I think I will have to work out a formula of my own in regards to the shims.

Miner42:
Thanks for replying. Yes, Rega says to measure from top top of cart (where it sits against the headshell) to tip of stylus. Theirs are 14mm. Mine is 19mm. 5 mm spacing does not give the correct arm height, so it's back to the drawing board to try to figure out a formula that gets me close, or figure out why something that is supposed to be so simple isn't.

...

I think you are getting way to caught up in measurements or specs. Rega doesn't publish specs for spacers needed with specific cartridges or cartridge height. Nor do cartridges publish these specs (at least any cartridge I have used). There is no spec for VTA. It is up to personal taste. Level is the starting point.

Just put in spacers to get it to somewhere near level. Then measure the height of the arm (or cart) with respect to the a record with a small one or two inch ruler (you can make your own). Fremer explains this in his DVD. You can use this as a starting point. Then, add or remove spacers as necessary according to your listening tastes keeping in mind your initial, measured reference to a level arm. With the Rega, this requires some bit of audio memory due to the task of replacing spacers is not immediate.

I think you should be more concerned with aligning your cartridge, getting your cartridge loading correct into your preamp, and VTF.

For most cartridges, you simply want it level or slightly up or down from there.

Finally, you don't need to figure out height and spacers needed before you order a cartridge. Get the cartridge and if you run out of spacers, use $2 washers from your hardware store. If those make you uncomfortable, then order more $30 spacers.

Btw, I have two tables, one of them is a Rega P5. I am using a 1mm brass washer with my Denon 103R. Many people like 2mm. There are no set rules to this.

Thanks Plinko: I understand what you are saying, and it is exactly what I plan to do.

Initially, I was trying to follow the instructions (from the REGA website) for calculating spacer requirements. They say. All REGA carts measure 14mm. The height specs for my cart are not published, but I got them from the distributor (which I double checked myself) and thought i could go from there.

Unfortunately it did not work out as planned, so Yes, I am going to have to play around to find the correct height instead of being able to calculate it beforehand.

I think I have found what works, but the mismatch got me to wondering if something else could be wrong, which is why I asked the original question. It seems no one else is gettng tied up in knots over the measurments, I guess I'm just funny that way.

Thanks for your reply, I'll try to relax a bit. :/