Re: VTAF Issues and Solution

Posted by PeteRiggleAudio (M) on October 27, 2005 at 19:34:49

In Reply to: VTAF Issues and Solution posted by zoltarcat@msn.com on October 27, 2005 at 17:50:08:

This is Pete Riggle of Pete Riggle Engineering and audio.

I want to thank David (zoltarcat) for persisting with the VTAF to experience it's true benefits.

David tried the VTAF some time back, and was not comfortable with the IDEA of the cartridge shimming technique provided with the VTAF to offset the .225" increase in minimum tone arm pedestal height imposed by the VTAF.

I don't think David ever actually tried out the precision cartridge shims provided with the VTAF, so he was kind of wrestling with the spectre of a problem, the existence of which he was not sure.

The cartridge shims provided with the VTAF are thin brass shims. The shims are about .1 inches wide and about .5 inches long, and go crosswise to the cartridge, at the rear of the cartridge, between the cartridge and the headshell. Five shims are provided, in thicknesses of .010", .020", .030", .040" and .050". One of these shims placed at the rear of the cartridge will drop the rear of the cartridge slightly, which has the same effect as lowering the tone arm pedestal. Each .010 inches of shim has roughly the effect of lowering the tone arm pedestal by 1/10" to 1/8".

Many VTAF purchasers have employed these shims and reported back on the VTAF, with the shims, in glowing terms.

David contacted me recently expressing that he had the VTAF installed, but needed lower VTA than achievable without a thicker record mat or a cartridge shim. He also said he just did not like the idea of the brass shims provided with the VTAF. I suggested that he use a constant thicness wood shim between the cartridge and the headshell to give the same effect as lowering the tone arm pedestal. I hadn't tried a constant thickness wood shim, but recognized that several cartridge manufacturers use wood as the body of their top of the line cartridges. I thought it was worth a try.

David has tried the constant thickness wood shim and likes the VTAF with it. He is experiencing what many, many other users have reported regarding improved sound stage, imaging, inner detail, nuance, and air, with none of the clinical sound or loss of musicality that sometimes accompanies improved detail.

Once again, thanks to David for breaking new ground in the use of the VTAF.

Best Regards to all.

Pete Riggle

VTAF WEB SITE (Open in New Window)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - VTAF Issues and Solution - zoltarcat@msn.com 17:50:08 10/27/05 (7)

Re: VTAF Issues and Solution - PeteRiggleAudio 10/27/0519:34:49 10/27/05 (1)

Pete is the MAN! I love my VTAF. - tubesforever 10:16:52 10/28/05 (0)

VTAF Issues - hifitommy 19:34:36 10/27/05 (4)

I did not have to shim on my application. The VTAF is worth the shimming if necessary. It is that good! - tubesforever 10:19:50 10/28/05 (0)

Re: VTAF Issues - zoltarcat@msn.com 01:44:24 10/28/05 (2)

You can also make a static plate from aluminum or an alloy of your choice. - tubesforever 10:22:27 10/28/05 (1)

Magnesium.... - vinyl-addict 11:50:41 10/28/05 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: VTAF Issues and Solution - PeteRiggleAudio 10/27/0519:34:49 10/27/05 (1)

Pete is the MAN! I love my VTAF. - tubesforever 10:16:52 10/28/05 (0)

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