Thanks for the helpful tips! Pulled out my acrylic alignment tool and learned from you how to level out the tonearm from the side. Used a test tone and an app to measure the dB level for both speakers. Worked great👍👍
Thank for the video...VTA and SRA is something that will CHANGE a lot LP by LP....I think there are too much neurosis on this subject since we will NEVER have a "perfect" VTA...( not even close )
Azimuth was the hardest adjustment. I used a USB micro camera to get it spot on. The latest attempt has given me much better audio and stereo separation.
You can't rely on identical channel output to determine correct azimuth as most cartridges only offer 1.5dB channel matching. Azimuth is purely a physical setting.
Really interesting video, I will check the setup of my Rega Planar 3 with my Hana Umami Red cartridge on a RB 880 tonearm following precisely your suggestions. Very clear and simple explanation too. Subscribed to your channel immediately.
@@AudioTnTyes, I've seen you have a Hana SL on your turntable during the video. Of course I've put a Rega shim to set the correct VTA and I've checked my cartridge following your Infos and, to my eyes, it has been perfectly set up. I had a Rega Ely's 2, than a Rega Exact, than Hana ML and now Hana Umami Red, yes, improvement is arguably high, in term of details, precision and clarity... You can recognize with more simplicity if a record has been mastered good or not, it's a very neutral cartridge, suitable for all the musical genres, from classical to metal. It's my definitive cartridge, maybe it deserves a better turntable, but I'm absolutely satisfied about my setup, although I've substituted the original Rega RB 330 with a better RB 880 tonearm. I can say that my Rega Planar 3 is better than a RP6 for sure and very close to a RP8.
All you have to do is use the overhang gauge supplied with every cartridge. Ensure your cartridge is absolutely parallel with the head shell. You do need good light and perhaps magnification glasses or a fixed adjustable magnifying glass. It is preferable to have an easily adjustable vta/sra tonearm as shims are just a pain to fit. A removable head shell really makes the process easy but the hifi/ audio police hate them.
@Marten Dekker I wouldn't obsess over constantly changing VTA to accommodate different record thickness. A clean needle and clean record are more important IMO.
It’s still odd that in the 21st Century nobody has produced a self calibrating tonearm or a tonearm with in built calibration systems. For all of the things you said, you would probably have only arrived at a starting point. You would have to trust the stylus and cantilever and the compliance of the suspension. The final adjustment will very probably require iterative adjustments of each of the parameters you addressed with listening as the final arbiter of adjustment.
@christopherward5065 it's very much art rather than science. The tool depends on vertical & horizontal alignment of cartridge body and assumes stylus angles are set correctly. The human ear probably can't discern a few degrees of vta or azimuth error.
@@AudioTnT the variables are many and for all the precision of the tools people apply we find that two identical arms, cartridges and turntables set up according to those precise measurements will sound different and probably, because of the myriad variables that introduce error both are likely to be inaccurate. Because the variations in the positioning of the stylus in the groove and the power of our brains to correct the errors and distortions as the record is transcribed we can tolerate errors. To make the two identically set up record player sound more similar we would have to adjust them away from what the precise tools suggest as perfect settings. I wonder if the psycho acoustics of the constantly shifting errors are what make playing and listening to records more engaging than listening to digital files.
@@christopherward5065 Kevin Grey, the vinyl mastering guru attributes the desirable sound of analog vinyl to "artifacts", aka distortion...whether in the record groove or playback equipment. Measurement parameters haven't evolved in 50 years.
Great video! I've set mine up in the past with a GeoDisc, but this looks much more accurate. Can you please provide a link to the acrylic tool you are using in this video? Thanks :)
Nasotec sells for $55. This one is cheaper..www.amazon.ca/Phonograph-Azimuth-Alignment-Cartridge-Measuring/dp/B08VNRJLZX/ref=asc_df_B08VNRJLZX/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459598214546&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9374188831672126127&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000671&hvtargid=pla-1485937537410&psc=1&mcid=8dc76c8ad1cc309baedbe6b4018baa88
Various scientific studies have shown that listening to digital audio can cause uncontrolled and erratic movements of the body in people. They found that this illness can be cured by listening to vinyl records and tapes.
@@striperseeker that's a great question! I don't recall whether the antiskate counterweight was attached at the time. Especially important w unipivot tonearms. I'm not a big fan of antiskate and neither was VPI so my guess is "no".
@@AudioTnT Thanks. Is it possible to not have to use an anti-skate weight? I took great care in adjusting balance, downforce tracking, VTA and azimuth and my Pro-Ject Xpression II seems to not have an outward force on the tonearm that needs an anti-skate weight. In fact, the stylus sits so much better without it installed.
@striperseeker absolutely. Some systems overcompensate, pushing the tonearm outwards. Plus it seems to me the amount of force should be less as the tonearm travels closer to the center. Not sure these systems do that.
Tutto ottimo ma la bilancina in questione è abbastanza imprecisa, misura molto in alto rispetto al disco con un errore di lettura reale prossimo a +0.1
@@AudioTnT with usb microscope. Take a picture from a side, perfectly horizontal and verticalto the vinyl surface, so you can see only the edge of the vinyl, no groves. Then open it in some program, draw some lines and you will see.
Sorry its too complicated for you. You can just use the instructions that came with your turntable and get pretty good results. If there aren't any, just enjoy what you are hearing.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 78 | คู่เอก "ปกรณ์ vs ฟาบิโอ"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LSOmgl0Th2c/mqdefault.jpg)
This is a great video!!! No unnecessary fluff talk or needless backstory. Just clean, direct, precise information.
My headshell alignment block is a clear ruler that has vertical and horizontal lines.
Comprehensive, and concise. I also bought an Audio Technica Headshell that has Azimuth adjustment for one of my diy turntable projects.🔉🎵🎶
After scouring yt endlessly for vta and azimuth videos, your explanation is simple, clear and precise. Thanks for creating and sharing 🙏😁
Thanks for the helpful tips! Pulled out my acrylic alignment tool and learned from you how to level out the tonearm from the side. Used a test tone and an app to measure the dB level for both speakers. Worked great👍👍
Thank you. This was super helpful.
Thank for the video...VTA and SRA is something that will CHANGE a lot LP by LP....I think there are too much neurosis on this subject since we will NEVER have a "perfect" VTA...( not even close )
Yeah I'm not adjusting VTA every time I switch between a 180 or 140 g disk.
Excellent video, Raymond!
Thank you! 😎🎧
Your welcome. Hope it was helpful.
Azimuth was the hardest adjustment. I used a USB micro camera to get it spot on. The latest attempt has given me much better audio and stereo separation.
VERY well DONE !!!! Thank you !
You can't rely on identical channel output to determine correct azimuth as most cartridges only offer 1.5dB channel matching. Azimuth is purely a physical setting.
excellent would be an understatement! congratulations!
Great video, thank you.
I find the different thickness records a pain for (apparently) no gain
I agree!
Спасибо!
Really interesting video, I will check the setup of my Rega Planar 3 with my Hana Umami Red cartridge on a RB 880 tonearm following precisely your suggestions. Very clear and simple explanation too. Subscribed to your channel immediately.
Thanks! U might need shims to raise/lower tonearm. Worth the effort. I have Hana EL. Is Umani Red an audible improvement?
@@AudioTnTyes, I've seen you have a Hana SL on your turntable during the video. Of course I've put a Rega shim to set the correct VTA and I've checked my cartridge following your Infos and, to my eyes, it has been perfectly set up. I had a Rega Ely's 2, than a Rega Exact, than Hana ML and now Hana Umami Red, yes, improvement is arguably high, in term of details, precision and clarity... You can recognize with more simplicity if a record has been mastered good or not, it's a very neutral cartridge, suitable for all the musical genres, from classical to metal. It's my definitive cartridge, maybe it deserves a better turntable, but I'm absolutely satisfied about my setup, although I've substituted the original Rega RB 330 with a better RB 880 tonearm. I can say that my Rega Planar 3 is better than a RP6 for sure and very close to a RP8.
All you have to do is use the overhang gauge supplied with every cartridge. Ensure your cartridge is absolutely parallel with the head shell.
You do need good light and perhaps magnification glasses or a fixed adjustable magnifying glass.
It is preferable to have an easily adjustable vta/sra tonearm as shims are just a pain to fit. A removable head shell really makes the process easy but the hifi/ audio police hate them.
I wish my vpi tonearm had removable headshell. My Musikraft Denon 103 is there for long term. Rega tonearm can be shimmed but u r right. It's a pain.
Very useful video. Thanks very much for making it. ✌️🎶🌝🔊
Exellent-simple and clear info.Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
@Marten Dekker I wouldn't obsess over constantly changing VTA to accommodate different record thickness. A clean needle and clean record are more important IMO.
It’s still odd that in the 21st Century nobody has produced a self calibrating tonearm or a tonearm with in built calibration systems. For all of the things you said, you would probably have only arrived at a starting point. You would have to trust the stylus and cantilever and the compliance of the suspension. The final adjustment will very probably require iterative adjustments of each of the parameters you addressed with listening as the final arbiter of adjustment.
@christopherward5065 it's very much art rather than science. The tool depends on vertical & horizontal alignment of cartridge body and assumes stylus angles are set correctly. The human ear probably can't discern a few degrees of vta or azimuth error.
@@AudioTnT the variables are many and for all the precision of the tools people apply we find that two identical arms, cartridges and turntables set up according to those precise measurements will sound different and probably, because of the myriad variables that introduce error both are likely to be inaccurate. Because the variations in the positioning of the stylus in the groove and the power of our brains to correct the errors and distortions as the record is transcribed we can tolerate errors. To make the two identically set up record player sound more similar we would have to adjust them away from what the precise tools suggest as perfect settings. I wonder if the psycho acoustics of the constantly shifting errors are what make playing and listening to records more engaging than listening to digital files.
@@christopherward5065 Kevin Grey, the vinyl mastering guru attributes the desirable sound of analog vinyl to "artifacts", aka distortion...whether in the record groove or playback equipment. Measurement parameters haven't evolved in 50 years.
👍👍👍👍
Very helpful
Great video! I've set mine up in the past with a GeoDisc, but this looks much more accurate. Can you please provide a link to the acrylic tool you are using in this video? Thanks :)
Nasotec sells for $55. This one is cheaper..www.amazon.ca/Phonograph-Azimuth-Alignment-Cartridge-Measuring/dp/B08VNRJLZX/ref=asc_df_B08VNRJLZX/?tag=googlemobshop-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=459598214546&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9374188831672126127&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9000671&hvtargid=pla-1485937537410&psc=1&mcid=8dc76c8ad1cc309baedbe6b4018baa88
Thank you so much for the tip! My system is currently not up and running due to apartment remodeling, but I will get this.@@AudioTnT
Various scientific studies have shown that listening to digital audio can cause uncontrolled and erratic movements of the body in people. They found that this illness can be cured by listening to vinyl records and tapes.
do you adjust the azimuth with anti-skate weight attached or removed?
@@striperseeker that's a great question! I don't recall whether the antiskate counterweight was attached at the time. Especially important w unipivot tonearms. I'm not a big fan of antiskate and neither was VPI so my guess is "no".
@@AudioTnT Thanks. Is it possible to not have to use an anti-skate weight? I took great care in adjusting balance, downforce tracking, VTA and azimuth and my Pro-Ject Xpression II seems to not have an outward force on the tonearm that needs an anti-skate weight. In fact, the stylus sits so much better without it installed.
@striperseeker absolutely. Some systems overcompensate, pushing the tonearm outwards. Plus it seems to me the amount of force should be less as the tonearm travels closer to the center. Not sure these systems do that.
Tutto ottimo ma la bilancina in questione è abbastanza imprecisa, misura molto in alto rispetto al disco con un errore di lettura reale prossimo a +0.1
OMG! 🤣
where can you get the VTA measurement device?
Check Amazon.
What is the name of the sound level meter app you use in the video?
Spectroid on Google play store (free). Set option to "unprocessed" to use an external mic.
Oops, that's the name of the spectrum analyzer app. The "Sound Meter" by Smart Tools on Google store.
you must have a lot of time on your hands!!!!!!!!
Over and over again .............The VTA ..............while the VTA will be whatever it will be when the right SRA angle is adjusted !!!!!!
How can you measure SRA angle accurately?
@@AudioTnT with usb microscope. Take a picture from a side, perfectly horizontal and verticalto the vinyl surface, so you can see only the edge of the vinyl, no groves. Then open it in some program, draw some lines and you will see.
@@patarejaspata Great idea. Will give it a try. Can use it to check stylus wear too. Thanks!
@@patarejaspata What is a usb microscope?
Nothing simple about this.
Many turntables (Rega, Pro-Ject) don't even offer these adjustments. Don't fret if you can't extract the last ounce of detail from the record grooves.
Pal too scientific and too complicated but in no way I am to diminish your knowledge
Sorry its too complicated for you. You can just use the instructions that came with your turntable and get pretty good results. If there aren't any, just enjoy what you are hearing.
It was necessary to read a prayer and perform a ritual dance.