VTA Adjustment on the Fly for REGAâ„¢ Tone Arms

Posted by PeteRiggle@msn.com (M) on May 18, 2004 at 14:38:32

VTA Adjustment on the Fly for REGAâ„¢ Tone Arms:

Pete Riggle Audio announces the VTAFâ„¢ (PATENT PENDING), pronounced "vee-taff," for "Vertical Tracking Angle on the Fly." The VTAFâ„¢ allows smooth and easy VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle) adjustment on the fly, allows VTA to be easily determined, and allows the preferred VTA for any record to be easily reset. We have chosen AudioAsylum.com as an effective way to introduce this new audiophile product.

The accompanying photos show the workings of the VTAFâ„¢, show the VTAFâ„¢ mounted on two different models of Thorens turntable, and show the preferred method of measuring and resetting VTA.

The VTAFâ„¢ works beautifully with our REGA RB250 arm (which happens to be modified by Origin Live), and surely will work with RB300 arms, and probably all REGA arms of current manufacture. The VTAFâ„¢ is elegantly simple, attractive in appearance, solidly constructed, and precision machined from brass and steel. The appearance parts are solid brass.

A thin walled tubular steel precision adjuster screw with fine external threads slips over the threaded mounting post of the REGAâ„¢ tone arm system, and is held there by compression from a thin walled ring threaded onto the mounting post. A brass adjuster wheel with a knurled edge for thumbwheel action (2-3/4" outside a diameter, 1/10 inch thick) runs smoothly on the threads of the adjuster screw. Each turn of the adjuster wheel raises or lowers the tone arm pedestal by exactly 25 thousandths of an inch.

A substantial bronze thrust bushing held in the arm board mounting hole by a medium slip fit, accepts the adjuster screw in a vertical sliding fashion, with only a few thousandths inch clearance, precisely locating the tone arm pedestal on the arm board. The weight of the tone arm system is supported by the brass adjuster wheel resting on the top flange of the bronze thrust bushing. The tone arm system is not fastened down to the arm board, but rather, is cradled by the bronze bushing.

A simple brass vertical guide assembly captures the horizontal projection of the REGAâ„¢ tone arm pedestal allowing only vertical motion of the pedestal, to keep the pedestal from rotating in the bronze bushing. The vertical guide assembly can be easily adjusted (it turns on its vertical axis against friction) to remove free play between the guide system and the pedestal projection.

Turning the brass adjuster thumbwheel raises and lowers the tone arm pedestal, easily, smoothly, and precisely changes with the record playing, so the user can hear changes in the reproduced sound as adjustments are made.

As shown in one of the attached photos, a deck of playing cards, not included, serves as a thickness gage to measure, record, and repeat the preferred VTA setting of any record. This measuring system works with the record in play, and, as a bonus, works well in low light or with poor vision. This is a very good way to measure, record, and repeat the VTA setting. Each card is very close to 10 thousandths inch thick. But why keep track of pedestal height in inches, when it can more easily be recorded by playing card count? Simply mark on the record jacket the number of playing cards corresponding to the preferred VTA.

The VTAFâ„¢ works with firmly suspended turntables, like the Thorensâ„¢ TD124, the Teresâ„¢ and the REGAâ„¢ Planar, and with spring suspended turntables such as the Thorensâ„¢ TD125, 150, and 160 models, and Linnâ„¢ models.

The VTAFâ„¢ will not work with turntables with concealed subchassis such as the Acoustic Researchâ„¢ models, without extensive modification of the turntable, a job for a skilled craftsman.

Compared to the standard REGA arm mounting system, the VTAFâ„¢ mounting reduces reflections of arm vibrations from the arm board back into the arm, reducing late arrival vibrations and thereby producing a sound with more inner detail and air. In addition, the benefits of easily adjusting VTA on the fly are enormous. Wonderful records become even more wonderful. Many unlistenable records become listenable.

Once the bushing is installed in the arm board or turntable deck, it is a snap to remove/replace the arm from/to the turntable for work on the cartridge. The arm is simply lifted out of the bushing while the cables are guided out of the turntable base and through the bushing. No kidding, this is a huge benefit.

With additional bushing and vertical guide parts (available separately), a tone arm may be easily transferred from one turntable to another in just moments.

Detailed installation and user instructions are provided. The arm board mounting hole must be drilled or enlarged to accept the 1.25" outside diameter of the thrust bushing. Complete instructions, 60 grit abrasive paper, and two dowels of different diameters are provided with the VTAFâ„¢ for marking and enlarging an existing mounting hole. Complete instructions are provided for marking and making a new hole. A retrofitting kit (not provided) will be made available for those who may wish for any reason to restore the arm mounting hole to the 24 mm diameter standard for REGAâ„¢ arms.

The price includes Express Mail delivery in the United States by the U.S. Postal Service. For points outside the United States, a shipping and handling charge will depend on the destination. Payment can be made by personal check, cashierâ€™s check, or money order, payable to Pete Riggle, or through PayPal ( PeteRiggle@msn.com ). The no-questions return period is 90 days, with no return of the shipping charge or the PayPal charge. Sales tax of 8.3% ($8.22) will be added for sales sent to addresses in Washington State.

To discuss using the VTAFâ„¢ with a tone arm system other than a REGA, feel free to contact: PeteRiggle@msn.com .

Listening sessions during development of the VTAFâ„¢ were conducted using a REGAâ„¢ RB250 tone arm modified by Origin Liveâ„¢, mounted on Thorensâ„¢ TD124 and TD125 Mk. II turntables, played through a phono stage manufactured by Wright Audio Productsâ„¢, an integrated 845 single-ended tube amplifier designed and constructed by Pete Riggle Audio, and rear loaded single horn Ben loudspeakers by Cain&Cainâ„¢ using Fostexâ„¢ 208 Sigma loudspeaker drivers.

Ebay listing. (Open in New Window)

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Topic - VTA Adjustment on the Fly for REGAâ„¢ Tone Arms - PeteRiggle@msn.com 14:38:32 05/18/04 (0)

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