Easily repeatable...

Posted by tketcham (A) on August 11, 2012 at 12:59:27

In Reply to: Good Lord... posted by EdAInWestOC on August 11, 2012 at 05:59:06:

Hi, Ed,
While I agree in principle with setting everything "by ear", I also strongly suggest that being able to consistently repeat settings is going to make vinyl setup much easier. Starting points, references, whatever you call them, make it possible to calibrate and fine tune settings until you find the sweet spot. I consider any device that provides an easy and convenient way to set a reference point to be a worthy vinyl setup tool.

For example, I use a combination of a digital weight scale and a clear horizontal alignment gauge to find the point where the tonearm/cartridge are horizontal to the record at a specific VTF to put the stylus at an approximated SRA of 92d. Then I adjust VTF and tonearm/cartridge angle in small increments to find the combination that gives me the best sound. Without the weight scale and angle gauge it would be very difficult to find the same starting point or to calibrate small adjustments. I also use a Fozgometer and a small precision bubble level (sits on the headshell) to be able to find a reference point for azimuth alignment. The Fozgometer may not give me the absolute best setting initially but it does give me a consistent reference point that I can calibrate based on fine adjustments in azimuth using the bubble level.

About the only thing that is pretty much essential is a VTF weight scale. Everything else can be eye-balled and then listen for differences. But after setting up turntables for over 40 years I'm glad to have any tool (including smart phone apps) that can make the job easier.

Regards,
Tom

PS: I'm probably one of a very few left in the USA without a smart phone. Hell, I don't even own a cell phone. I put my money in vinyl setup tools. '-)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Using the iPhone for setting VTA - mr_phillip 02:00:51 08/10/12 (19)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - SgreenP@MSN.com 14:32:00 08/11/12 (0)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - AudioSoul 09:51:30 08/11/12 (0)

Good Lord... - EdAInWestOC 05:59:06 08/11/12 (3)

Easily repeatable... - tketcham 12:59:27 08/11/12 (0)

RE: Good Lord... - mr_phillip 08:49:46 08/11/12 (1)

You're right. Thank you. - Dave Pogue 11:27:19 08/11/12 (0)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - dconsmack 03:54:01 08/11/12 (0)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - hahax@verizon.net 21:04:01 08/10/12 (0)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - Jack D II 20:57:34 08/10/12 (0)

Dropbox is great... - eso 19:59:33 08/10/12 (0)

Awesome...... - StevieRay 12:54:36 08/10/12 (0)

Got it! Thanks. nt - AbeCollins 11:29:07 08/10/12 (0)

Nice! Thanks. nt - bjh 09:56:53 08/10/12 (0)

Just pray that thing doesn't fall over on your arm! - Topper 08:01:13 08/10/12 (1)

RE: Just pray that thing doesn't fall over on your arm! - mr_phillip 10:11:23 08/10/12 (0)

Also works with android phones - jeffmathers 04:55:15 08/10/12 (2)

Now...how about azimuth? - Muzikmike 13:13:33 08/10/12 (0)

Android phones can do pictures? - AbeCollins 11:30:18 08/10/12 (0)

RE: Using the iPhone for setting VTA - dconsmack 03:07:53 08/10/12 (0)

Follow Ups

Easily repeatable... - tketcham 12:59:27 08/11/12 (0)

Easily repeatable...

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