Stylus Rake Angle

I think 92 degrees SRA as a starting point is better than just setting the arm to level and having no idea what the SRA is. Adjust for best sound after that. You should get more consistent results adjusting between various different carts by starting at 92 degrees.

Even though there is no standard for SRA, 92 degrees seems to be the middle of the range for what records are cut at. To me it would be logical for a cart designer to shoot for 92 degrees when the tonearm is level if possible. That way it is easier to get to whatever SRA sounds best within the adjustability of the arm.

I think it would be a good thing to have a standard but it is probably a little late in the game for that. I wonder if modern reissues are all pretty much the same SRA or are they still all over the map?

As said before in this thread it is not possible to get an accurate reading of SRA using a microscope unless you are lined up perfectly due to the curvature of the optics. How one knows they are lined up perfectly I do not know. I have very good close up vision and trust it more than my results with a USB microscope. My far away vision is another story though. ;)

Sean

Whatever your starting point, level or 92 degrees, the actual SRA arm height range is very, very small! Adjust "on the fly" is worthless, because you will pass over this very narrow peak with a quick adjustment. You must "zero in" over time, to find the optimal spot, and reset azimuth and VTF as you go. Note sonic changes throughout this process, as it is a learning experience.

On my VPI JMW 10 the final sweet spot "window" is plus or minus one index mark on the Micrometer head height tower. This is a range of +/- 3 10,000 of an inch!
Without a micrometer head on your arm, I doubt you will find this optimal SRA spot.

Once I find this "sweet spot point" after listening to many Lp's, over a few weeks or months (after break-in is complete), I do not change the height. 95% of my records are of "normal" thickness, so I do not readjust height for the 180 gm Lp's.

I find I get super playback quality on 80% of my Lp's with this one setting.

One must also take into account recording quality variation, as some Lp's just sound "off" regardless of SRA setting. The resolution of ones system must also be acknowledged for your personal results. Adjusting for each Lp is too "anal retentive" for me!

What? It seems to me your process is far more tedious. Once you've set all other adjustments, it's simply a matter of tuning in the particular record. Similar to tuning a station on the radio. You can hear the sweet spot fade in and out as you tune forward and back. There is no better way. It may be anal if you care that much, but it's certainly not "retentive". If you have not tried this method, it will seriously enlighten you if you do. But you need a tone arm that allows it.

Don_c55, I think what most people are adjusting for with fine VTA adjustment is actually proper overhang. Adjusting VTA will change overhang slightly. IME overhang adjustments make more difference than SRA adjustments. This is just a theory and I have no hard evidence to support it but it is my suspicion. Not to say SRA does not make a difference because it does. I just think fine VTA adjustment has more to do with dialing in overhang than it does with dialing in SRA.

Sean

At those angles, the change in overhang would be on the molecular level.