Hi JT,
We are indeed shackled to analog! We set VTA for each record, or at least each change in record label and/or thickness. Even with a clutzy Rega style arm it only takes about 30 seconds. Fine tuning can usually be done with our VTF-on-the-fly mod.
There's even more to it than record thickness. For much of the LP era, different labels cut their lacquers using different cutting stylus angles. There was no standard. Even records of identical thickness may need different playback angles.
We're building a list of labels, eras and LP weights (as a proxy for thickness) along with our optimal VTA setting for each. It's become second nature to look up a setting and dial it in before cueing the arm.
Slavishly,
Doug
We are indeed shackled to analog! We set VTA for each record, or at least each change in record label and/or thickness. Even with a clutzy Rega style arm it only takes about 30 seconds. Fine tuning can usually be done with our VTF-on-the-fly mod.
There's even more to it than record thickness. For much of the LP era, different labels cut their lacquers using different cutting stylus angles. There was no standard. Even records of identical thickness may need different playback angles.
We're building a list of labels, eras and LP weights (as a proxy for thickness) along with our optimal VTA setting for each. It's become second nature to look up a setting and dial it in before cueing the arm.
Slavishly,
Doug