Grado Sonata VTA

[woody]

Anyone out there running a Grado Sonata, preferably a 0.5mv version, like to share their VTA on their set-up?

I spent a while trying to dial my cart in by ear last night and was mainly focusing on the stylus rake angle. I ended up with the tone arm bottomed out on my MMF-7. So I backed it up to near neutral VTA with an SRA of about 1-2 degrees by eyeballing it with a magnifying glass. The cart is tilted back somewhere in the 2-5 degree range is my guess. I've read some people state they run these carts with negative VTA. It reduced the sibilance but didn't eradicate it on the two records i was using (a ghost is born by wilco and those the brokes by the magic numbers) thanks for any input.

[Evan Guest]

Here's my 1st reply on the 'audio' forum.I hope I can be helpful since most replies to my questions sound like "Hmmm... that's a hell of a deal you got there".
I've finally got my Sonata broken in and I've got the VTA back about 2 degrees as Grado recommends.I've been putting off any experiments with
the VTA/SRA but maybe it's time to start.Check out my set up in my profile
if you like.
If I understand correctly:sigh: with the VTA set back 2 degrees it looks like
the SRA is forward about 3-5 degrees.Are we at the same starting point
here?
I've found an excellent test track for sibilance.It's a classic too, Steely Dan's
'Aja' side 2 'I've Got The News'.The MFSL is far from my favorite pressing but
is perfect for tweaking this for 2 reasons.The highs are liberally boosted and
the vinyl is much more resilient for repeated plays.Near the end of the song
the subtle yet expicit lyrics "Spanish Kissin, See It Glisten" are the spot where
you get 3 convenient BIG S's.
I hope this either helps,is interesting, or at least worth a laugh!

[woody]

thanks. i don't have aja though so i'm wondering what i may have that shouldn't sound sibilant?
before i tweaked the vta i thought dusty in memphis had some sibilance but haven't listened since.

[Evan Guest]

As I think of other good test tracks today I'll let you know.I'll consider getting the Wilco album you mentioned on LP as well.Does Nels Cline play Guitar on that one? Thanks for reminding me about the difference and importance of SRA in relation to VTA!

[woody]

nels isn't on a ghost is born but tweedy with some help from jim o'rourke do a fine job. it's a great sounding lp recorded at sear sound in nyc.

i have the hi fi test record but i don't think there's a vta test track.

[Ski Bum]

I had a Grado Reference for years and I could never set the VTA visually. You have to do it by ear. I suggest focusing on the soundstage rather than tone or sibilance. When the image seems to "snap" into place, you're set. If the rear of the cartridge it too high, you will have a flat wall of sound (it will also be bright and brittle); if the rear of the cartridge is too low, the bass will be too prevalent and/or muddy and information will be missing.

[woody]

i'll try that as right now it seems everything i hear is sibilant to some degree.

[LeeS]

My arm with Sonata seems best close to parallel but I'm still experimenting.

[TommyTunes]

I had a Grado Reference for years and I could never set the VTA visually. You have to do it by ear. I suggest focusing on the soundstage rather than tone or sibilance. When the image seems to "snap" into place, you're set. If the rear of the cartridge it too high, you will have a flat wall of sound (it will also be bright and brittle); if the rear of the cartridge is too low, the bass will be too prevalent and/or muddy and information will be missing.

Same here, I have it with a very slight back tilt. Never had a sibilance problem.

[Evan Guest]

I had a Grado Reference for years and I could never set the VTA visually. You have to do it by ear. I suggest focusing on the soundstage rather than tone or sibilance. When the image seems to "snap" into place, you're set. If the rear of the cartridge it too high, you will have a flat wall of sound (it will also be bright and brittle); if the rear of the cartridge is too low, the bass will be too prevalent and/or muddy and information will be missing.

Since getting the Sonata and the new TT I'm finding that imaging is
everything now.A fact made much more convenient by the fact that the TT
gets the tones,timbres and quiet backgrounds so right.
I guess that focusing on either VTA or SRA will accomplish the same goal and
everyone here seems to stick to the VTA approach as does Grado.