Parallel? How do you set the VTA?

VTA is incorrect. It is SRA that you should be adjusting for. VTA is just a gross estimation of a starting point using the armwand as a guide, but the stylus rake angle is the rake of the stylus in the groove so the sides of the stylus that interact with the record groove are optomized for the angle of the waves cut into the vinyl by the cutting head when it was made.

Think of it this way, with a fine line or Shibata stylus the edges of the stylus are sharply pointed. The high pitched tinkly sounds are also highly pointed waveforms cut into the vinyl. You want to align the angle of the stylus fine edge with the tinkly waves so they are the same. Sonically it means that those tinkly tings are sharp and distinct without fuzz or sibilance. If they are aligned correctly then the bass and mids should also. Hard to describe, but easy to visualize with a simple picture. Think of the box in this picture as the small peak wave of the vinyl groove, and the blue oval as the edge of the stylus. I think you'll get it then.

http://hem.bredband.net/thomasakerlund/stylus.jpg

Fremer has come up with 92 degrees being optimal, but you need a super microscope to come close to even seeing that.

Enjoy,
Bob

200x usb microscopes with a focusing rail can be bought on ebay for less than $100. It takes some practice to get a serviceable image with a horizontal reference, but once obtained, you then overlay the image with protractor software to measure the stylus rack angle. Adjust the sra at the pivot point to obtain the recommended 92 degree sra. If you change the VTF, you will need to adjust the sra as the cantilever will flex thus changing the angle.

Get a Graham Phantom Supreme and your worries about consistently setting the correct VTA in seconds for every record thickness is over. The bubble level built into the pivot tower makes all the difference. Too bad other tonearm manufacturers don't get with the program by incorporating a level in their designs.

+1 Rockitman. I've thought the same thing ever since the Graham hit the market.
Brf, the USB microscope is a great tool as well for sure, and is on my to-buy list. I like some of the DinoLite models with measuring software, but they are around $300 so the purchase will have to wait.

I have a screw gauge that slips under the arm lift.
1/4 turn of the screw equates to 1/1000 of an inch.
I can hear 1/1000 of an inch like night and day.
In reality you are only getting near the zone with bubble levels.

But then what about the cutterhead angle, which varies by record.
So the only way is to listen and dial in each record and using dial calipers to measure and record the height for each record.

Any takers ?