VTA, SRA & Azimuth: What are they & how to set them

Achieving a correct position, channel separation and tracking of our phono cartridge, hence a perfect sound, is something rather difficult to do. We must take into account the VTA (Vertical Tracking Angle), the SRA (Stylus Rake Angle) and the Azimuth of the cartridge and its stylus-cantilever. In this video we learn more on these aspects and discover a useful and cheap tool to do so!

The Azimuth/VTA Ruler:

Some people prefer using a DIGITAL MICROSCOPE to set the SRA and VTA. Here is a cheap and effective one:
JIUSION Digital Microscope:

Attention! (A word from M. Fremer).
This ruler, the acoustical-systems ruler or the digital microscope do NOT guaranty that you’ve minimized crosstalk between the channels and maximized separation. Doing that requires electrical measurements using either a digital voltmeter, software or a digital oscilloscope. Perpendicularity though is a good place to start!

#cartridgeVTA #cartridgeazimuth #vinylcommunity

[garymclaughlin]

Enjoyed your video. Just got into Hi fi and turntables a year ago and this kind of information is invaluable. Thanks from Ireland.

[stimpy]

Thank you for recommending this device. I purchased one on Amazon and it was really easy to use to set the azimuth and the VTA. My Graham arm was set up pretty well but I increased the vertical tracking angle by 2.5° to 20 and my records sound even better now. More detail, better tonality and increased sound field up and width. Thanks again.

[georgeanastasopoulos]

Excellent demonstration on VTA, and that elusive, esoteric SRA; more precise measurement! I have got to get new prescription for my eyeglasses, anyway.

[Lasse]

Thanks for the informative video!

Funny thing, with Sumiko carts, like my Blackbird, they actually instruct you to have the tone arm tilting upwards, so that the base of the tonearm is below the headshell.

Kinda like the tonearm is looking upwards, with the vantage point being the base of the tonearm.

they want -2 degrees of this particular tilt.
In fact, according to the Sumiko-manual a perfect horizontal tonearm is never correct.

As they say, your should start with tonearm tilting up -2 degrees, and then with miniscule increments increase the height of the tonearm-base to achieve a slightly more horizontal tonearm orientation.

My findings is that this is absolutely correct, for tweaking the blackbird atleast.

As you move closer and closer towards horizontal tonearm orientation, the sound opens up, the sibiliance region is also increasingly pronounced.
This results in a thinner - or colder sound with more emphasis on high frequency content.

In contrary - a higher level of negative tilt will produce a more robust, round, warm and 'rolled off' sound.

Sumiko even warns about not falling into the "hi-fi trap" while adjusting VTA / SRA -
The tendency of wanting a sound with more emphasis on high frequencies - which is a common pitfall, should be avoided.

Many would be surprised how the actual correct sound is much warmer and more robust - which at first will be mistaken for being a 'rolled off' or even low-fi sound too many, as they gradually tweak the VTA.

[bimmertimc]

Thanks for the informative video. This has been something I’ve tried explaining to friends and seems to be often overlooked, but can be quite important for optimal sound and minimal record wear too.

[shpater]

Thank you for bringing this up. I bought my tool and cartridge weight measurement tool a year ago from Ali Express. very cheep.
The perfect vertical angle alignment is to get 90 degrees between needle tip and LP Surface.
You can reach that adjustment relatively easy if you keep the following rules:
1) Arm angle is perfectly leveled (parallelly to record surface).
2) Verify that cartridge to head shell and head shell to arm have a perfect mechanical match
3) Cartridge weight is correctly applied (within manufacturer specifications)

When all the above are meat, you can rest assure that all angles are correct.

One note regarding the bubble level measurement:
Great tool, but cartridge's weight calibration has to be done while the device is mounted on top of the head shell. when mechanical adjustment is done and the bubble is removed, you should readjust the cartridge weight.

[Macchi]

Grazie per i link dedicati all'Italia!
L'Elvon mi serve proprio per rimettere in riga il mio Thorens TD280...

[fatihozturk]

Thanks a lot for your easy understandable English speaking.

[philipketchum]

Fantastic video. I’m starting my search for a vintage TT and that in itself is overwhelming. Now once I find one I can set it up. Thank you so much.

[gerbenkolkman]

So exactly and precisely what I was looking for! I just ordered one. Thank you so much, Guido!

[paulc]

Another great video I don't know how I missed this one!!!

[joemartin]

I have a mirror protator . Does nil point so well and VTA shows up on the mirror. One can see the Asmith so ease. And stylus angle can easily see the stylus also

[crimsonghost]

Another great video! You explained this in a very easy to understand way. Thank you for the great information. I love your videos brother...

[rickmilam]

An important distinction between azimuth and VTA/SRA and azimuth is that VTA/SRA is much more of a moving target. Outside of a warped record or something like that, once azimuth is set, it's set. SRA changes with thickness of the LP. So 150g, 180g, 200g etc. will all be different because of the thickness differences in the vinyl. There's no perfect solution period, but if you're obsessive you can mark (at least on my Dynavector 507 tonearm) where the "proper" setting is for each. Or, if you're sane, find a good compromise and forget it.

[markgriffiths]

Trying to do my cartidge alignment, but saw this on you tube .thank you so much for the simple explanation of azimuth vta sra . they are wrong you can teach an ol dog new tricks

[dimensionsofmusicD]

Well done and very articulate. You have a flair for instruction. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers 🍻 Greg

[meckarmickebjornsson]

Din kanal är både bra och förstående 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[johnclintonmusicandmore]

you have a lot of info I bought me one of those magnet brushes like you got for anti-static but I didn’t get the one you have it’s too expensive and it works pretty good thanks for the idea

[ceejaydeesoozaa]

nice to see you again. i have that same elvon

[marcb]

ok, j'ai mis le traducteur et j'ai bien compris merci encore