VTA adjustment for VPI 10.5 tonearm

By the way...my point about the VTF setup is this. For each cartridge, there is one "best" VTF. I believe that tracking force is different for every single cartridge. The manufacturer might specify 1.5-2.5 grams, however, within that range, there is one and only one perfect tracking force for that cartridge. A VTF scale is not needed except to be sure that you are in the manufacturer's range, however, experimenting by ear by adding or reducing SLIGHTLY the VTF will reveal that magic spot. There are some arms (VPI et al) that once you get that magic spot, you have to readjust other settings. I can't tell you enough that if you want to know the real magic hidden in those groves, you can find it with this very careful setup.

Stringreen,
When running your table without the anti-scate do you use the wire twist or just nothing? I know in the past you have felt that the wire will fatigue and the twist will loose it's effectiveness. I'm still trying to talk myself out of the anti-scate off and on but currently am still using it at about as light a weight as it will operate without the lever falling over as the stylus reaches the center of the disc.

Hi Sonofjim... I use nothing for anti-skate at all...not even the Twist (Chubby Checker notwithstanding). I know that VPI arms can be a pain to adjust, but if you are inquisitive..just detach your monofilament to detect any difference. If you hear no difference why use it?? Then remove it from the arm, listen carefully, and I think you will hear a cleaner, clearer presentation.

As anyone out there tried to fit a VPI 10.5i to an Avid deck? I am just doing this and at the powest VTA setting the arm is still quite high at the back thus not being able to start with a level setting

Disagree on the 'parallel arm tube' method.

Ultimately, SRA, not VTA, is the final arbiter for tracking a groove with a stylus, and many factors other than the arm tube influence SRA (angle that the cantilever exits the cart body, cantilever compliance and length, stylus shape, attachment of stylus to cant, etc.) I use a 30x magnifier, and my 'Littlelight' as a backlight, to initially set the SRA as closely as I can to 0 degrees (at 90 degrees to the record). I usually find that slightly raising the back of the arm provides the best sound, but my VPI 12.5 arm (like your 10.5) makes it easy to document repeatable settings.

I do agree, though, about making your settings on an 'average' thickness LP, finding a sweet spot, and then just playing some music-setting VTA for all records is way, way beyond my fussiness threshold, and borders on putting a premium on hi-fi effects, not on the music. IMO, of course.