Help setting up cartridge VTA

Tony, I usually do it by ear. Set the tonearm/cartridge up so it is level when it is on the record. Then, remove it from the record, and raise the VTA adjustment very slightly. Make note of where you adjusted it to. Listen to the record. Play around with it in very small increments till you get the best sound. Do not go with a setting that lets the pivot end of the tonearm get below level with the cartridge. This will cause a poor sound that I call "screaming". Usually, a setting with the pivot end just a few hairs above level is in the ballpark. Remember this can change when you play different thicknesses of records.

Twl,
I respectfully disagree with you. Negative VTA can be necessary with certain cartridges. One example is the Sumiko Celebration, a very musical pearwood cartridge. In its thorough set up guide (complete with diagrams), Sumiko suggests a 1.2 degree negative rake angle for "very fast, dynamic, robust sound," and 1.5 degree negative rake angle for a "more rounded low frequency dynamic structure, less clarity in the midrange, and a reduced high frequency component." In practice, I can tell you, using this cartridge with a Positive VTA, causes it to have a much thinner, less warm sound.

My point of this post is to tell Tony (and others) not to be afraid to try a negative VTA, if it doesn't sound to someone's liking they can change it. Some cartridges are designed for it, even if the Benz may or may not be.

Best Regards,

AaronM

Sorry, I never had a cartridge that used negative VTA. My apologies for the partial "bum steer".