The obsession, the trees. The music, the forest.

Well, since I'm the guilty party that started those two threads, let me just weigh in here.

I'm first and foremost a music fan. I love almost all kinds of music. My "obsession" with finding the correct adjustments is part of the quest to bring that music home in as perfect a form as possible. When I hit upon that precise VTA, I'm magically transported to Orchestra Hall in Chicago in 1954.

Imprecise adjustments *distance* me from the music. I think the better and more highly-resolving your system, the more critical and noticeable these adjustments will be.

As has been pointed out, with certain stylus shapes, changes in VTA are less audible. In these cases, you can pretty much set it and forget it. But in other cases, the shape of the stylus dictates that VTA be adjusted separately for different record thicknesses. Here, something like the adjustability of the more expensive JMW arms is really a tremendous thing for music lovers. And the fact that you have a numerical scale and can *repeat* the adjustment is something that *reduces* neurosis and anxiety rather than increases it. You never feel as if you've "lost" that perfect setting.

Just some thoughts from someone who's spent over 20 years fiddling with VTA, but above all, enjoying the music. Sometimes you have to *work* at making the music real.

Is someone who requires a higher standard, and has gained the skill to achieve it necessarily uptight? I hear "uptight" as, possibly, an excuse made by one who is unsure of his ability to wring the best from his gear and wishes to divert attention.

Many of us don't really give a care how one enjoys any aspect of this hobby, but are happy to have this forum to share and gain tweakers tips when needed, or musical performance recommendations when that is our interest.

Enjoy the hobby the way you prefer to. It's not necessary to characterize the method of other people's enjoyment.

Yeah, maybe I should stop relevelling my CDP with each disc?

Subaruguru, Don't stop re-leveling your CDP unless your also stop releveling your amp, pre amp and speakers otherwise you will lose the synergy between your components you worked so hard to set up. :-) By the way, unless you are willing to wear the hair shirt of vinyl, please turn in your audiophile society identity card and your mensa card as well. We know who you are now, you're not going to fake us out with those Verity speakers of yours and your other assorted paraphernalia. :-)) PS I love those speakers!

For your consideration:

I used to "futz" with the VTA to the point of minor frustration (I just want to sit & enjoy, not jump up and down), until I noticed that one of my replacement mats is very slightly thicker than either of the standard mats for my two TT's. A small amount of testing convinced me that the sound differences between the mats corresponds to the thickness change (VTA being adjusted by swapping mats).

Now, my old thin LP's are played on the replacement mat, and my 180-200 gm's are on the standard mats. Works great for me, ymmv.

Dave