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AT-PL120 owners w/ AT-440mla cart >>>

flattedsixth

flattedsixth

Active Member
at this point this is my current rig and i had a couple questions about the set-up in context of this cart specifically. i know the cart's ideal vta is 20 degrees, after reading the manufacturers specs. a general rule of thumb question for this set-up specifically? -> does the tonearm have to be completely level with the platter in order to achieve the ideal 20 degrees vta?

this turntable's tonearm base adjustment, i believe, is somewhat limited in this scenario. even at the lowest setting the back end of the arm remains higher than the front end, where the stylus hits the record. what types of things did you do to compensate? i heard some people recommend purchasing the 1/4 " rubber mat from KAB (which i received in the mail today), to bring the front end up some.

any experience and or comments from AKers with this set-up would be very much appreciated.
 
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I used a 1/4-inch homemade cork platter mat on mine. That dampened the platter's tendency to ring more than the stock felt mat did. And it raised the cartridge end of the tonearm a bit. I'd expect the same from your rubber mat. I've never had an AT-440mla in my arsenal though.
 
ec1st said:
I used a 1/4-inch homemade cork platter mat on mine. That dampened the platter's tendency to ring more than the stock felt mat did. And it raised the cartridge end of the tonearm a bit. I'd expect the same from your rubber mat. I've never had an AT-440mla in my arsenal though.
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for the price it's a great cart and the improvement from the stock atp-2 is, by and large, substantial to say the least. but lately i've been reading online and looking up vids on settings to get a cart's ideal vta. lot of times people mention how it's essential to have the tonearm completely parallel during play. the AT PL120's arm definitely dips down (back to front), but it's obviously gonna be less with the 1/4" rubber mat in place. but yeah, it seems limited in the tonearm height adjustment category. i'm not sure i can put my records in a more ideal play back situation than this considering the deck and the cart i am currently using.

i wanna get two set-ups going eventually and wanna get a technics sl1200mk2 with a denon dl-160 too. but that's after the vpi 16.5 cleaner i wanna grab, too.

appreciate your feedback, nonetheless.
 
I used to use an AT-PL120 w/ AT440. I got the best results from running the cartridge tail down (improves bass) and from using a homemade cork mat instead of the felt mat OR the rubber may from another table.

flattedsixth said:
i wanna get two set-ups going eventually and wanna get a technics sl1200mk2 with a denon dl-160 too. but that's after the vpi 16.5 cleaner i wanna grab, too.
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If I were you, I'd buy the Technics first and the VPI second!
 
beatcomber said:
I used to use an AT-PL120 w/ AT440. I got the best results from running the cartridge tail down (improves bass) and from using a homemade cork mat instead of the felt mat OR the rubber may from another table.



If I were you, I'd buy the Technics first and the VPI second!
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to be honest it might happen at the same time come to think of it. is that a vague criticism on my current set-up? but to be honest, i'm all about as much knowledge as i can on the matter, as i do appreciate your suggestion.
 
i guess they don't sell the *homemade* cork in stores, huh? :P thanks again for the replies. also, by tail down, does that imply the cart's completely parallel front to back over the record?
 
The other option to replacing the mat with a thicker one is to shim the cartridge in the headshell. Just about anything will work as long as it's rigid and light and can be cut to size.
 
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i know it's nothing spectacular, put i figured i'd put up a picture. i'm pretty happy with the sound of the set-up at this point. running through a nice onkyo with a pair of NHT's. also, set-up the overhang using the technics baerwald. this protractor is the way to go with the pl120's, no?

appreciate the replies as always.
 
That is a nice turntable. is this new? seems like they changed the graphics. I don't care for the big "AT PL-120" on there but no biggie.
 
thanks, flamm. no, i've actually had this one for a couple of years now. just joined AK last night after lurking for some time. i received this table as a gift for the holidays a ways back. over the last year i started getting into researching the specifics online re: tables, carts, protractors, etc. the hardest part is getting a feel for who knows what they're talking about, but after reading posts on here for some time, i felt like this was the place to join.

for now it's fine, but when i my gf and i make our next move, i wanna have a couple set-ups going. so i had my eye on the technics sl-1200mk2, but i'll need to get another receiver and a set of speakers as well. that's kind of why i was gonna opt for the vpi 16.5 before i pulled the trigger on the technics, the denon dl-160, and the other hardware required. money-wise that move is gonna set me back a bit, but it's definitely worth it in the long run.
 
flattedsixth said:
is that a vague criticism on my current set-up? but to be honest, i'm all about as much knowledge as i can on the matter, as i do appreciate your suggestion.
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Not a criticism per se, but having owned both tables, I can say that the AT-PL120 is a completely satisfying turntable for the price, but the Technics table is head and shoulders better sounding than the Audio Technica. My point was that a fancy record cleaner, IMO, is secondary in importance to excellent sound reproduction. (BTW, do a forum search for "Spin-Clean" to get info about a more affordable, yet highly effective, record-cleaning solution.)

flattedsixth said:
also, by tail down, does that imply the cart's completely parallel front to back over the record?
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No, it means that the end of the cartridge that has the wires should be lower than the end with the stylus. As a general rule of thumb: tail down increases bass response, while the opposite increases treble - which is definitely something you don't want with that cart!

It's super easy to adjust VTA (vertical tracking angle) on your table, so experiment with it and see what sounds best. (Hint: it's easier if you let someone else fiddle with the VTA while you sit in the sweet spot and carefully listen. It's comparable to dialing in the focus on a camera - when it's right, you'll know it.)
 
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excellent reply and thanks, beatcomber. yeah, i didn't really think you were being critical about the current set-up really, but well, i do realize the technics trumps the pl120 by a country mile, no doubt. for me, it's really just money/time at this point. really excited to get the technics, hopefully come the holidays and i'll definitely heed your prioritized suggestion.

i DO like the vpi a lot. i know it's pricey but i really dig its efficiency and convenience when it gets down to it. i've had a couple people suggest that one on other forums as well. i will definitely look into the solution you recommended, too.

the only concern for me, when someone goes tail down, is there any, even remote, risk the cart body could scrape and or touch the record? thanks again for all your input nonetheless, beatcomber. very useful stuff.
 
this week i purchased these items:

1. stylus cleaner (disc doctor)
2. technics overhang gauge (52mm)
3. 1/4" rubber slip mat from kabusa.com
4. audioquest carbon-fiber brush
5. 70% rubbing alcohol to clean the connections where the head shell detaches from the tonearm
6. i also have the technics baerwald protractor and the standard protractor from enjoythemusic.com

any other suggestions for this vinyl n00b? :D
 
flattedsixth said:
Any other suggestions for this vinyl n00b? :D
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Welcome to the dark, though enlightened, side. :yes: (And very cool user name, by the way.) I simply suggest reading everything you can (I think this website is one of the best) and use your own good judgement - there are many facts, many opinions and many myths. Let your ears (and probably your musicianship) be a reality check.

I looks to me like you are an addict already!
 
flattedsixth said:
this week i purchased these items:

1. stylus cleaner (disc doctor)
2. technics overhang gauge (52mm)
3. 1/4" rubber slip mat from kabusa.com
4. audioquest carbon-fiber brush
5. 70% rubbing alcohol to clean the connections where the head shell detaches from the tonearm
6. i also have the technics baerwald protractor and the standard protractor from enjoythemusic.com

any other suggestions for this vinyl n00b? :D
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You're off to an excellent start.

One more essential item: an accurate stylus force gauge. I use a $12 digital pocket scale.
 
flattedsixth said:
the only concern for me, when someone goes tail down, is there any, even remote, risk the cart body could scrape and or touch the record? thanks again for all your input nonetheless, beatcomber. very useful stuff.
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Glad to help!

The cart shouldn't be able to touch the record, except perhaps on extremely warped records.
 
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