2. analog
  3. 1368196292

setting VTF with a digital guage

Hello AGoners,
When I first purchased my VPI classic 1 I used the supplied shure stylus force guage. I decided to try a digital guage and then purchased a acoustech digital guage. My question is about the height of these guages. Both the shure guage and the acoustech digital are taller than even a 200gr LP. I have tried to make a small cardboard pedestal to place the guage on to make it level with a 180gr. record since that is what I play the most. Are you guys setting the stylus force guage on top of the platter or do you try to set the stylus force guage level with the playing surface?
andyprice44
chayro
3,008 posts
 
Jesus - I never realized it was so complicated. I just set the force at the max and it seems to work out well.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Chayro, I'm pretty much with you (regardless of -- or maybe because of -- the different VTF readings I get when setting the gauge at different points across the disc or platter. And my digital VTF gauge reads to THREE decimal points, which makes it all the more absurd (IMHO of course).
kiddman
341 posts
 
Tketcham: I am not sure I understand your chart of height and weight. Could you clarify?
chayro
3,008 posts
 
I will admit to investing in an Ortofon digital gauge, which is kind of pricy, but seems to put the stylus in about the right place.
ortofon
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,484 posts
 
You don't need a digital gauge... The Shure thing gets it approximately right...then use your ears... On the VPI arm use the large Allen wrench to move the internal counterweight (accessible from the hole in the back of the arm tube) back and forth until you hear what you like.
More to discover