Turntable Setup by Ear?

Has anyone setup a turntable using only their ears and not a protractor or any tools?

thegoldenear03-19-2015 4:03am

jmcgrogan2 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,346 posts 03-19-2015 at 01:21pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I did back in the 70's and 80's, with much less expensive gear. Nowadays I always use a protractor and Digital scale, though I still setup VTA by ear.
bpoletti Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,556 posts 03-19-2015 at 02:47pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The best set-up is the one removing as many variables as possible. Using a protractor and digital scale will leave VTA as the variable. That is more reliable and faster than guess work. Digital scale (reliable enough for our purposes) from DealExtreme are less than $20. Protractors are free from vinylengine.com.
almarg Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 9,670 posts 03-19-2015 at 03:07pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The best set-up is the one removing as many variables as possible. +1. Well said. Considering the many variables that are involved in optimizing setup of a cartridge (overhang, offset, VTF, VTA/SRA, azimuth, anti-skating, resistive loading, capacitive loading), doing it all by ear will inevitably result in a bunch of non-optimal settings that at best may be somewhat complementary. IMO. Regards, -- Al