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Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Good suggestions!

I believe my VTA is very slightly high now, based on sound. Unfortunately, the OL Encounter tonearm is a tapered arm without a reference line. I try to use an index card and the headshell as a starting point after cartridge mounting, then I do everything by ear. So far, its worked for the three cartridges I've had on the tonearm.

I'll try lowering the VTA again, its only dulled the sound, diminished the soundstage, and not really improved anything when I've done it recently.

The Mullards were NOS from Upscale Audio and tested to their highest standard. I think I'll try a set of E-H 12ax7's that I have. I hate to use a different flavor but they are the only other 12ax7's I have.

==> in your experience with tubes have you ever seen a 12ax7 tube fail in such a subtle manner? And it seems to be affecting both channels the same. Finally, I wouldn't think one of the other two tubes (regulation, cathode follower) failing could affect the sound like this - could they?

I usually try to let cartridges break-in 100 hours before making decisions, and although I've heard continued improvement, I haven't heard MAJOR improvement in the 70-80 to 100 hour break-in period. Of course, I've never had a cartridge as high-end as the Ruby 3.

Thanks for the GT Mullard-type recommendation!


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