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mmf 7.1 vta adjustment

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Can somebody tell me how to adjust the vta on my mmf 7.1? I recently purchased a Herbie mat and it looks to be 3mm thick as opposed to the 2mm felt mat that came with the turntable. The base is definately stronger in the lower range and still sounds tight but the punch seems a bit weaker, so I'm wondering if it's just the sonics of the mat or because the vta is off by 1mm. It comes all preadjusted and the manual has absolutely no info on the subject. Maybe I should just leave well enough alone. Still would like the education though for possible future changes with the cartridge. Thanks, Leo

Follow Ups:

RE: mmf 7.1 vta adjustment - sharpnine 16:14:01 08/22/08 (2)
I have an MMF-7 and am responding from memory of adjusting its VTA (haven't done it recently). There is a small hex net in the back of the tonearm, at the base, IIRC. You can't see it well with the turntable on a shelf--you need to pull it out where you can see behind it. Your turntable may have come with an appropriately sized hex wrench, or you may need to use your own. Your user manual ought to have more details.

Before adjusting, protect the stylus if you have a stylus guard.
The trick is to fine tune adjustments using a deck of playing cards. Stuff as many playing cards as you can (probably 2-5 or so) under the base of the tonearm where it meets the plinth. If this is confusing, go ahead and loosen the screw and let the tonerm down so it can be lifted freely. Then you will see the gap between the base of the tonearm and plinth. Start with as many cards as it takes to make the arm appear level with the stylus placed on a 180-gram LP (at least that's what I use for reference--make sure stylus guard is off).

Using playing cards to hold the arm up, tighten the screw. See how many cards you used (you can remove and reinsert them while the screw is tight). Plug in the turntable, remove the stylus guard, listen, repeat with one card fewer or one more. Keep playing with this until you like the sound (you can see many references to how to listen for correct VTA). It's whatever sounds best to you. You should keep notes: how many cards, and how it sounded. Otherwise the process will take longer. When you are done, note how many cards you used (for future reference or if you accidentally loosen the tonearm and it gets out of adjustment). Allow an hour or more the first time.

This method works pretty well once you get the hang of it. You may need to have the turntable out in a convenient place, so have an extra pair of long interconnects to plug in if necessary during listening.

Another alternative, if this is too much hassle (and you like to regularly tweak the VTA) you can use the ringmat support system which gives you a set of variable hight plastic disks which fit under your mat and can be used to easily change VTA. You will still have to set VTA manually the first time, even with that system--probably lower it enough so you have a range to work with. Unfortunately the support system is pricy ($150-200 IIRC). I am also not sure if it works with Herbies or if you need to use it with a ringmat (also a nice alternative). I use a Herbies mat on my TD-124 and the ringmat on my MMF-7.

I sure would enjoy a tonearm with on-the-fly VTA adjustment.

Roger
- RE: mmf 7.1 vta adjustment - sharpnine 16:18:02 08/22/08 (1)
  One more thing: Don't forget to always readjust VTF after adjusting VTA (i.e with each new iteration). You need to keep your scale handy and make sure the weight is correct. Changing the VTA can cause VTF to change, and then you will mistakenly be listening to both changed VTA and VTF.
  - one more thing! - sharpnine 16:24:40 08/22/08 (0)
    Here is a link to a manual for a Project turntable with the Project 9 tonearm (basically the same arm):
    
    You will find this manual useful for at least anything relating to arm setup. The Project manuals, while still fairly brief, are at least better than the Music Hall manuals.
    - http://www.project-audio.com/inhalt/en/manual/manual_rpm5.pdf (Open in New Window)

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