So I have been experimenting with the 3-point mount VTAF on my RB700 arm and Rega P5 for about a month now, and am writing to report on what I've found. I had already added a Groovetracer Reference subplatter, platter, and counterweight/stub and used the Herbie's Way Excellent II mat with SuperSonic stabilizer. I am using a Shelter 501 II and a Heed Quasar pre.
I'll cut to the chase, the VTAF simply makes the RB700/P5 a much higher resolution machine. From top to bottom, details are now much cleaner than with the stock mount, and this is most noticeable in a wider and deeper soundstage, proper bass weight and delicacy, and when you get the VTA set right, the imaging just locks into place. I'm more of a set and forget kind of guy, but when you dial in the right VTA the improvement is really hard to ignore. Luckily, I've found that there is a similar setting for most standard pressings, so there's not much fiddling needed, and adjusting the VTA up for 180g or heavier pressings is really easy. Not a problem. Tracking is also vastly improved: my setup can now pass the HiFi News test record tracking #3 test with no problems now.
As others have mentioned, the 3-point mount adds a significant amount of height above the stock mount. I did not use the one-piece VTAF and arm bracket, which adds more height. Because of the extra height the VTAF does add, I first made a 1/4" thick mat out of the same foam material as Herbie's mat to make up for the difference. However, the spindle barely protruded above the LP center hole. Even though I don't use a clamp, it didn't look so great. But there was no mistaking that it sounded much better than the stock mount, and tracked much better as well, that I thought I'd try an alternate setup.
I next experimented with a small rectangle of Herbie's Grungebuster material mounted between the cartridge and headshell without the 1/4" thick mat. However, it didn't offset the height enough to give me full use of the VTAF range.
I next combined the Herbie's Grungebuster piece with one of the thinner brass shims (#2) provided with the VTAF, and got the full usable range from the VTAF. However, to me, the combo was a bit overdamped compared to the 1/4" foam mat alone.
Finally, I tried just a thicker brass shim (#4), and have been using it ever since. It has no sonic penalties, doesn't take away from the P5's sleek look, and the VTAF unit adds a touch of rugged classiness with its custom lacquered nickel finish.
I have only interacted with Pete as a customer, but I've found him to be a great person, inventor, and craftsman, and I learned quite a bit about turntables, dedication to art and technique, and life in general while fine-tuning my setup with Pete's help. He is an asset to the audio community and has helped take my P5 to another level. If you were on the fence about the VTAF especially with the higher-level Rega tonearms, take the risk, this one's worth it.
P.S. After I installed the VTAF I also rewired the arm with the Incognito kit. The rewire also brought the performance up a notch in overall smoothness and definition without harshness especially in the top end, and even better bass. But what was most impressive is the silence that I now get from the phono source now that the arm is grounded. With a more silent source, the details are much easier to discern and increases the sense of ease and musicality of the entire setup. Also recommended, but you might do just as well DIY-ing this one if you've got the skills and the Cardas litz wire.
