Vinyl Asylum

Hi beefman, I was just going to say...

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Doug Deacon

(A)

In Reply to: Tri-planar + ZYX UNIverse SB , can't nail antiskate setting, AAAAAAAAAARGH! posted by beefman on July 11, 2006 at 12:52:41:

That your tonearm cable must be binding up somewhere. There's no way you should feel anything as you move the arm around by hand. My TriPlanar is the free-est feeling arm I've ever used.
My AS weight is about 2-2.5mm from the black stub near the pivot point on the AS arm, ie, pretty close to the pivot. That's with a UNIverse of course. If you set AS even a tiny bit too high you'll hear a muddying in the HFs, very un-UNIverse like.
If you haven't already done so, read the A'gon thread below. It will help you get the best from this truly wonderful arm, which is a great match for our favorite cartridge.
Cheers,
Doug

__________
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT

TriPlanar Tips thread on A'gon (Open in New Window)

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UPDATE 2: Ahhhh... JOY! - beefman 06:15:41 07/12/06 (3)
Doug,
THANK YOU for that thread. I haven't had time to read it yet (saw it AFTER I quit futzing with the table) but will be devouring it later. Tri wants me to send the arm back to check it out but now that I sorted out the cable (it had bound at the 'strain relief' point where the cable enters the tonearm, a simple loosening and pulling a bit through and NO MORE BINDING) it just SINGS and I DO NOT WANT TO PART WITH IT!!
I'm astonished at how much better this is than the DP-6. Wow. Just wow. The soundstage is HUGE and the 'arm really seems to 'dig out' much more sense of space.
I've had to play with the VTA a lot as if it's off the soundstage gets all out of focus and blurry. It's clear to me now that this is a much more precise arm than the Moerch, though. I never realized how critical the UNIverse is on VTA but that's likely because I couldn't do the fine adjustments with the Moerch!!!! I had the tail WAY too high and couldn't understand why the soundstage sounded like I was 'seeing' it through a cheap plastic magnifying glass smeared with vaseline and the bass was sloppy and boomy. I cranked it down and everything just snapped together. Bass tightened up beyond what I've experienced before and everything was in pin-sharp focus.
I also have ZERO trouble running at lighter tracking forces than I was capable of doing on the DP-6 if I wish. I can successfully track down to 1.6 grams with no issues. It seems to sound best at 2.2-2.4g though.
- Tri is great and the arm is even better!!!! - jjhf5678 16:24:20 07/12/06 (1)
  I think you'll find, as I did with the Triplanar, that you'll be changing VTA alot now. I used to not really be able to tell the difference, but once I got the Triplanar that changed....and quick. The arm allows you to hear EVERY change without even wondering "did that really make difference?"
  I don't really enjoy the fact I have to adjust VTA for almost every record, but it's the difference between good and amazing, imo. Enjoy the arm, but most importatntly, the music.
  - Oppps, meant to add... - jjhf5678 16:31:54 07/12/06 (0)
    .....once you find the correct VTA setting for one record, you usually only move the dial 1-2 mm for the other records. I've talked to people that just start twisting the dial thinking that's what is needed.
    ONLY move the dial a p#ssy hair each time you change records...higher the number on the dial, the lower the VTA and vice versa....lower the number on the dial, you raise the VTA. I'm usually staying within a "10 digit" range when I change from a 120g LP to a 200g LP, if not less.
    For example, my setting is on about 35 right now and I listened to a heavy LP last....if I play a flimsy LP next, I may go up to 39-41, depending on how the record was cut. I've noticed it's not always how thick the records is that determines your VTA though, it's how the record was cut that matters....andyou can only tell by listening.
- :-) - Doug Deacon 10:47:22 07/12/06 (0)
  Welcome to the club. I don't think there's a better pivoting arm in production today.
  I haven't heard a DP-6 but your report is consistent with what I have heard from those who've compared it to top level arms. It's a great arm for the money, maybe the very best around the $1500 price point. But it's not at the top level.
  The UNIverse responds to every changes in every parameter. Keep at it and you'll undoubtedly discover even more miracles in those records.
  We record VTA readings for every record on a yellow sticky. That makes it quick and painless to dial the height in for replays. Those who don't have the facility may call it insane, but they haven't heard...
  FWIW, our rig performs best around 1.90-1.95g in the summer. But cartridges are unique and optimal VTF is definitely a YMMV thing.
  ENJOY!
  
  __________
  "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT

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