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VTA: am I nutz?

Here's why I think I may need to have my head examined. (OTOH, I *did* hit it on the ice last week...hmm...) Anyway, my several weeks' experience in adjusting VTA during play on my Aries 2/JMW-10/Denon 103D has led me to the following conclusion: what I expected was that somewhere in the range of adjustment would be a smaller range which sounded better than the rest, and that below it would be dark and lacking in highs, and above it would be hard and bright.

However, my observation is that no such range exists. Rather there is ONE CORRECT SETTING for each record, from which you may not deviate. Nor is the "above is bright" and "below is muddy" rule always the case. In fact, I find that there is very little variation either above or below the magic setting.

Now this may sound contradictory, but it IS true that I make all my adjustments from record to record within a range of about 20-30 increments on the dial. So while the sound doesn't vary in any logical way within that range, the IDEAL setting will always be found within that range. And yes, thicker records will require a higher setting while thinner will require a lower. No mystery there.

I guess my question is this: is this "only one magic point" finding in agreement with that of other people? Or am I some kind of analog mental case?

Please, 'cause I'm about ready to order the straitjacket... ;-)
bublitchki
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
The way I understand it is that SRA (stylus rake angle) is the paramount parameter to be set & VTA is a means to that end i.e. you set SRA by setting VTA. Every record is slightly diff. in thickness so SRA set for 1 LP is not going to be the same as another. 2 very similar thickness LPs will probably share the same VTA setting as the SRA for both of them is practically the same.
So, I am not surprised that you arrived at this conclusion that each LP has "only one magic point". It appears to make sense (& seems rather cumbersome to do :-) unless you have a JMW arm, as you do).
FWIW. IMHO.
newbee
4,792 posts
 
Not nutz at all. This is the only way to really find the correct angle for the thickness of the particular record and to match the angle of the cutter used on the master. But it is a PITA - however IMHO, for those who really want the best that LP's have to offer, its indispensible.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Agreed with the above. Tonearms that have "on the fly" adjustable VTA offer a big advantage. That is, if you are truly anal about analogue reproduction : ) Sean
>

PS... No, you're NOT "nutz" : )
loontoon
301 posts
 
Nope, and worse, the finer the stylus, The VdH tips, Fitz Guyer, Micro Ridge etc, make it almost a required critical event, so much so that it can become a royal chore to tune each record. I get so tired of it that I end up putting on a CD, for about 2 minutes, and then well it's a chore but I remember why I put up with it.

So smile, if you can hear that sharp a change in VTA your system is truely refined indeed.

loon
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