Rerurn to Romy the Cat's Site
In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: Vinyl Ceremonies: Repeatable VTA
Post Subject: Life by the sword...Posted by Paul S on: 5/12/2008
Interesting article, Guy. Typical of people to pursue something from the POV of reinforcing their own prior observations/investments, with no "control" and no "blind".
Not that I'm any different here. Of course what I am doing is homing in on things I actually hear via my own system. That's how I set VTA/SRA, whatever you call it; with my ears.
And yes, it's a pisser having to dial in each record!
OTOH, locking in is Heaven!
Kris, too bad my Sota won't take multiple arms. I'd love this feature for mono! But this would not nearly solve the VTA/SRA problem, because, despite what our Sherlockean friend hears/does not hear, my own system rewards (or punishes) quite small variations/incremental adjustments to VTA/SRA, so there are too many "settings" to cover with a few pre-set arms. It is not simply a matter of record thickness, BTW, although this is usually an indicator, and making proper general note of it usually helps to get one "in the ballpark".
This is probably not the thread to mention that this sort of OCD activity also springs from a certain type of listening. Mea culpa. But it is hi-fi, after all. For better and for worse I have gotten my system and my listening "skills" to the point where the VTA/SRA thing is part of getting the best performances. Whether this is also the Ortofon "Replicant" stylus, the K&K, the wiring, the TAP, the ML2s, the DEBZs; who knows?
While the issue of optimal VTA/SRA hardly hinges on electricity, the electrical problems do sometimes put a "delta" in play that puts the musical sweet spot at other than the otherwise-optimal Sound sweet spot. In any case, I am still left to search out the sweet spot each time. The listening criteria differ, and it gets easier to do, but the basic VTA/SRA problem remains even with good electricity.
Sure, I could just ignore it...
No, I couldn't!
So, let my experiences serve as fair warning!
Be careful what you try for. You just might get it!
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site