Zyx Universe Break In

or do I need to adjust VTF or VTA?

Why not try that first as that might solve your problem.

They usually require several months of break-in (assuming you are listening a few hours every day). I provide a free break-in service for the carts. Please send it immediately so I can start working on it!

In all seriousness, mine was pretty good straight out of the box, but it did have an issue with the highs, at normal VTF. I did some searching through the Audiogon forum archives, found others had experienced the same issue, and assisted break-in by raising VTF slightly. This worked for me, and I ended up lowering it a bit after a month, and a bit more after another month, and a bit more after probably 3mos (I was not listening a few hours every day at the time - more like a few hours every few days).

The other thing I noticed early on is that the Universe picks up more grunge than my other carts, and has to be cleaned more frequently. I think it is because the contact area is so small, pressure is higher and it takes less to deform the stylus shape than it would a larger stylus.

What is your tone arm? I had sibilance issues a bit with my JMW9 that were resolved with the upgrade to JMW9 Sig. I'm using the Zyx Airy 3.

There's mucho written here on the UNIverse, and some of Doug Deacon's reviews you'll find as well, read them, I highly recommend it, as Doug is the UNI Guru, and the strongest of all ZYX proponents.

I own the Uni's little sister, the Airy 3X SB. yes, the first thing I noticed was uncanny silence in the groove, and a good sound right out of the box new, but there was something I just couldn't put my finger on?

Yes, that was one thing I noticed was sibilance at first. Tony Bennet's voice on "San Fransico", was horrid, the SSss's were way way over-exagerated. And the ZYX "sound" after some readings, and evaluations by others, I put a finger on this malady, and the characteristic was a very good description by others.... the sound was "mechanical".

I started thinking about my alignment, damping fluids, but thought some more, and one error I concluded I made, was, I was following what others liked as far as optimum VTF settings, (relatively low, like 1.83g) sat and thought, and then surmised that I might be tracking this Cartridge a bit too light, upped the VTF to an even 2.00g, and things did get better.

I remembered Doug's, and other's advice, that break in times, would be lenghty with this Cartridge, in the vicinity of 100-150 hours total.

The Airy 3X didn't seem so sensitive to VTA, but seem sensitive to VTF. The UNIverse on the other hand, I understand is very sensitive to both VTA, and VTF.

These two Cartridges, while they may not share the same innards, share as I understand the same Cantilever, and Stylus, and probably the very same Cantilever Suspension.

Doug has noted even changes in weather have dictated minor adjustments in VTF to his the UNI's sweet spot.

I would probably lean towards the heavier suggested VTF during the initial hours of play, so better solidity is heard. and then, perhaps after a number of logged in hours, can you then begin to fine tune VTA, VTF, and then even try different loading settings.

Dependent upon Phono Stage, you will then find, after the 100, or so hours of play, a setting which suits your system, and your ears. PS: Again, chat with Doug, he'll help you squeeze the best from this killer Cartridge! Mark

My Universe was damn startling just 4 hours after playing.
It won't hurt to raise VTF above 2 gms for a few months.......after a year you may find that 1.7 gms is better.
Raising VTA slightly also seems to suit the Universe. It will certainly help to now check very carefully the arm/cartridge geometry preferably with a protractor like the Wally or Mint. Care taken with correct Baerwald geometry will often be more important than other parameters such as VTA and VTF.
Good luck.....it's a superb cartridge.