I feel the reason for the VTA offset among old models of SL-1200 is just the thickness of the supplied mat. The MK2’s came with the thickest ones, they were 6 mm, I think there were also 4 or 5 mm mats (with different part number). I know the newest rubber ones were just 3 mm and I’m guessing that felt slipmats were likely only 2 mm, but honestly I haven’t measured them. I remember I’ve read on a forum that the new models 1200G and GR are supplied the 3 mm rubber mat, and unlike the G model which has the platter taller thanks to its brass upper part, the 3 mm mat was not thick enough for some cartridges on the GR, so their owners had to use either spacers or two mats (or higher ones if they found it), the original 6 mm mats were not easy to find or they were quite pricey. (The arm assemblies on the new models are actually different from the old ones, so in that case a different height wouldn’t surprise me.)
Bottom line The VTA specific to the cart is to match the angle of the cutter when making the original metal stamper. Essential for original music recording reproduction. Capt. Analogue (Xavier Burgos) pro turntable set ups
Very helpful. My Technics SL-1210 GR has a chart in the booklet. I set the VTA to 1, since my Ortophon Bronze is 18 high. Thanks for your video. Any thoughts on tone arm interconnects? I used some true high end interconnects that work well with my CD player that sounded very harsh with the 1210 GR. When I used the supplied cables it was really quite smooth. I can live it, but are there better cables?
I have a cable recommendation video coming up very soon. But I will go ahead and tell you that I really love World's Best Cables (find them on Amazon), and you can get Mogami, Canare, or Gotham, and I prefer the Gotham.
Nice video, planning to put 2m black, on my mk5g, , vta is on 1 setting, how's the matching compliance , do I need to change my stock headshell...? Thanks for ur help....
My Ortofon 2m Bronze has two clear plastic like spacers/washers between the screws and headshell. Do account for that? I have my VTA set to 1 because my cart height is 18. I also have a acrylic platter mat that's about 1mm thick.
Is it fairly safe to assume, that most cartridges, are designed for, and will sound close to ideal, if when mounted, the tonearm is truly horizontal to the record surface while playing?
Some don't believe in VTA, but if you have a tonearm with VTA adjustment, you CAN hear a difference. If the stylus is downtilt, it usually sounds muddy. When there is an uptilt it can sound brighter. That is because the stress on the cantilever is loose if down and tight when up. So it is either has more movement than needed or restricting movement, or should I say vibrations.
I had to search and search to find this, but it is listed at 23/32" or about 18.25mm. Just take into consideration that Stanton carts are recommended by Stanton at 15 degrees and not 0 degrees...downward tilt. I have seen many 500 series and 681's with spacers for this. If you have a SL-1200 MK2, your VTA would be at 1 I believe.
I feel the reason for the VTA offset among old models of SL-1200 is just the thickness of the supplied mat. The MK2’s came with the thickest ones, they were 6 mm, I think there were also 4 or 5 mm mats (with different part number). I know the newest rubber ones were just 3 mm and I’m guessing that felt slipmats were likely only 2 mm, but honestly I haven’t measured them. I remember I’ve read on a forum that the new models 1200G and GR are supplied the 3 mm rubber mat, and unlike the G model which has the platter taller thanks to its brass upper part, the 3 mm mat was not thick enough for some cartridges on the GR, so their owners had to use either spacers or two mats (or higher ones if they found it), the original 6 mm mats were not easy to find or they were quite pricey. (The arm assemblies on the new models are actually different from the old ones, so in that case a different height wouldn’t surprise me.)
ho un technics sl1200 mk2 e dovrei montare una goldring g1042, specificano un angolo di tracciamento a 24 gradi, come regolo il vta? grazie
Bottom line
The VTA specific to the cart is to match the angle of the cutter when making the original metal stamper.
Essential for original music recording reproduction.
Capt. Analogue (Xavier Burgos) pro turntable set ups
Great video with a lot of useful information.
Glad it was helpful!
I have a technics sl1200gr2 and a 2m black cartridge, do i fit the spacer?
Very helpful. My Technics SL-1210 GR has a chart in the booklet. I set the VTA to 1, since my Ortophon Bronze is 18 high. Thanks for your video.
Any thoughts on tone arm interconnects?
I used some true high end interconnects that work well with my CD player that sounded very harsh with the 1210 GR. When I used the supplied cables it was really quite smooth. I can live it, but are there better cables?
I have a cable recommendation video coming up very soon. But I will go ahead and tell you that I really love World's Best Cables (find them on Amazon), and you can get Mogami, Canare, or Gotham, and I prefer the Gotham.
But that is for RCA. For tonearm wires, you are asking the wrong person.
What is height of Shure V15 Type4. Have a 1600 mk2. Never touched VTA dial, thanks for great info
Nice video, planning to put 2m black, on my mk5g, , vta is on 1 setting, how's the matching compliance , do I need to change my stock headshell...? Thanks for ur help....
No. The SL-1200's have adjustable VTA. Headshell spacers are for arms that do not have this adjustment.
Oh, and your matching compliance is fine. The 2M Series was designed for mid-mass tonearms like stock one on the SL-1200.
My Ortofon 2m Bronze has two clear plastic like spacers/washers between the screws and headshell. Do account for that? I have my VTA set to 1 because my cart height is 18. I also have a acrylic platter mat that's about 1mm thick.
Is it fairly safe to assume, that most cartridges, are designed for, and will sound close to ideal, if when mounted, the tonearm is truly horizontal to the record surface while playing?
Some don't believe in VTA, but if you have a tonearm with VTA adjustment, you CAN hear a difference. If the stylus is downtilt, it usually sounds muddy. When there is an uptilt it can sound brighter. That is because the stress on the cantilever is loose if down and tight when up. So it is either has more movement than needed or restricting movement, or should I say vibrations.
Whats a stanton 500MK2 height ?
I had to search and search to find this, but it is listed at 23/32" or about 18.25mm. Just take into consideration that Stanton carts are recommended by Stanton at 15 degrees and not 0 degrees...downward tilt. I have seen many 500 series and 681's with spacers for this. If you have a SL-1200 MK2, your VTA would be at 1 I believe.