Adjusted the VTA and WOW!

MrZero63

MrZero63

Well-Known Member
I've been fooling around with my VPI Scout as of late. I threw in some lithium grease for the bearings and some 40 weight for the motor. Decided it was time to reset the VTA, just to see the difference. WOW! I adjusted up, then down. Fleetwood Mac, Tusk, Sara, hadn't sounded so ethereal - now I know EXACTLY what she was singing about (when she had her miscarriage). Heaven Knows (Robert Plant 12") had some strong mirange and the bass shook my footstool. Backing vocals were inthe room with me, though not at a higher or lower level than my seat. I am still waiting for a recording that has height-adjusted micing. Please let me know what recordings have that 'height'.

I ended up staying with a negative VTA (the tonearm base is slightly lower than parallel with the record), so I backed off on the bass a little. Strange thing is, the midrange comes to the forefront and the soundstage is alive. The highs aren't mushy, either. Everything is a bit more accurate, butthe bass is a bit boomy, unless I lower it on the preamp.

I have a 10X5 and I'm thinking of upgrading in the next few years, but for now it sounds GREAT! More of a 'live' experience. The trumpet on Gino Socio's 'Turn it Around' buzzes with excitement from within my listening room. Good thing the lights are off or else I'd notice the musicians aren't actually in the room with me. All I have is the glow of the tubes to light my way.

Time to change the record.

-Dave
 
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Hey Dave,
I too have a 10X5 on a Pro-Ject RM5, and I also noticed it sounds better with the VTA just a hair low. Otherwise there's a bit of vocal sibilance and I can't stand that. Great cartridge, isn't it? I'm considering the Dynavector Karat 17D3 as an eventual upgrade, but that's a lot more $ than I've ever spent on a cartridge (the 10X5 is the priciest).

Anyway, VTA can drive you nuts, it's good that you found the sweet spot already.
 
Mr Lin,

It took me an awful long time to find the sweet wpot, though... I agree - the vocals are quite difficult to get right. The Dynavector 10X5 is awesome compared to my previous 'stylus' (a Kenwood linear tunrntable with no stylus upgrade option). It was heaven on earth when I first heard it. It is still quite grand, but I feel that there is a bit more out there that'll perk my ears up! Can;t wait until I get another $1K to throw at it! :D

Thanks for the comments - it's good to know it sounds good to others a hair low!

-Dave

PS - I hail from the capital city (the big 'T' - Trenton :-))...
 
I'm just 30 minutes north of Trenton, Dave. And my name's Dave too!

I know exactly what you're saying about the 10X5, that it's a fantastic cartridge but you can imagine a number of ways in which it could be better. That's a good thing, I think, because we have a lot to look forward to. Last night I kept looking at pictures of that Dynavector Karat and imagining how amazing it probably is, but then I thought, if I buy that, will I never be able to go back? In other words, will lesser cartridges no longer do it for me? I'm not sure, to be honest.
 
Can you guys shed some light on how exactly you see the VTA/SRA "a hair low", meaning are you using like a magnifying glass and a backlight while the vinyl is spinning, and visually eyeballing the stylus tip angle, or??? (not being sarcastic, just want to know).
 
jfine said:
Can you guys shed some light on how exactly you see the VTA/SRA "a hair low", meaning are you using like a magnifying glass and a backlight while the vinyl is spinning, and visually eyeballing the stylus tip angle, or??? (not being sarcastic, just want to know).
Click to expand...
I am not using the same table, but I set the VTA visually with a deck of cards then use my ears and "back it down a tic" until it sounds right to me.
 
ozmoid said:
:no: While it's still.
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Figured that, trying to extract info but I guess I need to ask more, you mean placing the deck between the arm and the vinyl, right? Does the weight of the tonearm rest on the cantilever at that point, or? Please explain, trying to learn :)
 
jfine said:
Figured that, trying to extract info but I guess I need to ask more, you mean placing the deck between the arm and the vinyl, right? Does the weight of the tonearm rest on the cantilever at that point, or? Please explain, trying to learn :)
Click to expand...
Nope, purely visual for me. I stack the deck next the headshell, and sight across the top. Close enough, then remove the deck and do the final tweak playing an LP and using my ears.
 
Using the VPI Scout, I can set VTA 'on the fly'. I loosen the allen screws at the base of the arm and spin the record, lower the tonearm on the record (while spinning), and manually adjust the VTA (by turning the adjustment wheel above the base on the JMW -9 tonearm). I close my eyes while making the adjustment to listen to the results.

The arm is no longer parallel to the record. The arm's base is now slightly lower than the record, with the stylus side higher.

Hope this helps! :yes:

-Dave
 
Mr. Lin said:
I'm just 30 minutes north of Trenton, Dave. And my name's Dave too!

I know exactly what you're saying about the 10X5, that it's a fantastic cartridge but you can imagine a number of ways in which it could be better. That's a good thing, I think, because we have a lot to look forward to. Last night I kept looking at pictures of that Dynavector Karat and imagining how amazing it probably is, but then I thought, if I buy that, will I never be able to go back? In other words, will lesser cartridges no longer do it for me? I'm not sure, to be honest.
Click to expand...

Please let us know your thoughts when you do 'step up' to the Karat! I was thinking about a baby step to the 20X... Does anyone think it's worth it?

(That is uncanny about NJ and our names! Kewl!)
 
MrZero63 said:
Using the VPI Scout, I can set VTA 'on the fly'. I loosen the allen screws at the base of the arm and spin the record, lower the tonearm on the record (while spinning), and manually adjust the VTA (by turning the adjustment wheel above the base on the JMW -9 tonearm). I close my eyes while making the adjustment to listen to the results.

The arm is no longer parallel to the record. The arm's base is now slightly lower than the record, with the stylus side higher.

Hope this helps! :yes:

-Dave
Click to expand...

I see, so it sounds like you're using the tonearm being parallel as the guide for lower or higher. I thought (and I may be wrong) that the actual angle of the tip of the stylus

sra.gif


was the way to figure where 0 degrees was, when the weight of the tonearm is on the cantilever, while the vinyl is spinning. I thought that was how VTA/SRA was adjusted, aside from using the ear of course. I'm trying to figure out if this is really what I should be looking at versus tonearm/top of cartridge parallel and if anyone does it this way.
 
jfine said:
I see, so it sounds like you're using the tonearm being parallel as the guide for lower or higher. I thought (and I may be wrong) that the actual angle of the tip of the stylus...
Click to expand...

It is elegant in its simplicity, but like most things audio, highly subjective. Give the VTA adjustment a shot and see how it sounds to you in your setup. Many variables exist, such as length and type of tonearm, cartridge, tracking force, etc. All of these things, including your hearing, will obviously make a difference to your preference.

Let us know what you come up with! :scratch2:

-Dave
 
MrZero63 said:
It is elegant in its simplicity, but like most things audio, highly subjective. Give the VTA adjustment a shot and see how it sounds to you in your setup. Many variables exist, such as length and type of tonearm, cartridge, tracking force, etc. All of these things, including your hearing, will obviously make a difference to your preference.

Let us know what you come up with! :scratch2:

-Dave
Click to expand...

I have adjusted it. 1200MK5 has a nice adjustment. I've done it lots of times, and I think it may be OK. I understand personal preference and that the parallel thing is just a reference to get started. I know. Just trying to see who does Stylus Rake Angle the way I asked about, or even thought about it. Probably by ear is the only way. Thanks.
 
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