VTA

[Pure_Brew]

I was looking at my SL-23 and I don't see that there is any way to adjust the VTA. There doesn't seem to be any way to raise or lower the tonearm. Might be due to the nature of the auto-return design? No idea.

Anyway, I decided to double up on the TT mats as I have another one. This will of course raise the height of the cart slighty, causing VTA to go toward a more negative direction. The reason for changing VTA, would be to get the cartridge level or even slightly change the balance of the sound. From what I understand, slightly negative VTA can cause sound to be less bright, and more bright if and when positive.

Since the cartridge tends to be a bit bright, I thought I would try it.

 

[speakerman1]

Hi
Here is a manual if you don't have one. You do it by the weight.

http://www.vinylengine.com/library/technics/sl-23.shtml

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

Not VT"F" ( vertical tracking force ).

It's "A" for Angle. I should have said that to begin with, sorry.

 

[speakerman1]

No it was my mistake. Can you shim your arm? If it has to be raised? I think on mine that would be how I would have to do it. On the Music Halls any way. I haven't looked at the Micros that close.

Larry

 

[Pure_Brew]

My arm would have to be lowered. I suppose I could shim the cart.

Adding that second mat changed the sound a lot. Much more relaxed which is nice, some detail/dynamic loss however.

 

[stuwee]

Joe you may want to remind us what cart you're using now, since that makes the diff with the VTA, not the arm on the Technics, some carts get a better sound with 'their butts dragging' a bit; lower in the back than the front, welcome to the tweakdom of TT/carts , loads of fun...speaking of which loading the cart is very important sometimes as well

 

[Pure_Brew]

Man I am MUCH lower in the front, but the backside is starting to get lower with age. The cart is the AT440mla.

 

[Fairchild]

Usually you will receive spacers with the cartridge to use to adjust the cartridge in the tonearm for VTA. It can be a pain in the butt to do, not all arms have adjustable height like an SME are or a Thorens TP-16.

If you don't have any spacers let me know and I can send you some.

Jim

 

[Fairchild]

If you need to lower the platter (remove a mat) that is about the extent you can do that I am aware of, spacers in the headshell would only serve to make this condition worse.

Jim

 

[Pure_Brew]

Having 2 mats helped but it was a little Mushy sounding. I think this SL-23 is a nice starter rig for me, best I've had anyway. I'll likely replace all of it down the road. It would be kind of nice to get a TT with an armboard/swappable arm. Oh and a platter that doesn't wobble ( that leaves out the bottom end "budget audiophile" TTs)

 

[Fairchild]

Spacers should take care of your issue since it is a matter of raising the headshell.

PM me if you need some.

Jim