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Fluance TT - Three Degrees Off VTA - Is It Material?

Connor1a

Connor1a

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Hi -

I currently have a Fluance RT85. When I bought it, one of my main considerations was being able to use Audio-Technica’s carts. Unfortunately, I ran into a snag today which has me second guessing my decision. Without going too far down the rabbit hole, I have a technical question for my learned colleagues here.

Fluance states “Cartridge weight must be between 5.0 to 7.5 grams with a height of 18mm and a 20° Vertical Tracking Angle.”

Audio-Technica AT-VM95 carts are listed as weighing 6.1 grams with a height of 17.2mm and a 23° VTA. So out of spec on both height and VTA.

My questions are these. 1) Can I resolve the slight height discrepancy with the addition of a mat on my TT platter (ex a cork mat)? 2) Is a 3° variance (15%) in VTA material?

I’m guessing that I’m OK on #1, but probably not as OK on #2 which would effectively remove all AT-VM95 carts as options. That’s a bummer as I have an AT-VM95E and AT-VM95C that I’d have liked to play around with.

Thanks in advance.
 
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I think VTA has to be correct for the cartridge/stylus construction. How could the turntable manufacturer know that? A lower height will change the angle of the tonearm and it might be just about perfect!
 
IDKTT

VTA is what matters, and if your arm doesn't have adjustable VTA then yes, you can adjust at the other end with different mat thicknesses, cartridge shim, etc. An E won't be very critical about VTA, and a C won't be at all. Give it a whirl.
 
JP said:
IDKTT

VTA is what matters, and if your arm doesn't have adjustable VTA then yes, you can adjust at the other end with different mat thicknesses, cartridge shim, etc. An E won't be very critical about VTA, and a C won't be at all. Give it a whirl.
Click to expand...
What about something like an ML?
 
ML is supposedly "critical" about VTA, but many don't think so. Either way, you've the same levers mentioned above.
 
So after exchanging with Fluance, it took several times to get a somewhat straight answer from them, the AT-VM95 carts are not supported. For those interested in an Ortofon cart, several of which are supported on the Fluance TT, the following link may be helpful…

ortofon.com

Find the Best Cartridge for Your Turntable | Ortofon

Discover the perfect cartridge for your turntable with Ortofon's expert guide. Explore top recommendations for unmatched sound quality.
ortofon.com ortofon.com
 
JP said:
That's FUD, but if it makes you comfortable...
Click to expand...
I don't think there’s any fear, uncertainty or doubt at play…

From a strict manufacturer’s perspective, Fluance doesn’t support the AT-VM95 carts on the RT85 TT. Full stop. Their only TT that supports the AT-VM95 carts is the RT81+. I thought that that was something worth knowing (at least for anyone considering a Fluance TT).

I understand that I can “moxy” the AT-VM95 cart with a shim for the VTA and or a mat for the height. That opens an interesting learning opportunity (particularly how to shim a headshell to change the VTA). Something that’ll be next on my list of things to dig into (another rabbit hole). It’s a bit of a pita, but I think that’s the core of any hobby. You meet a challenge and figure out a way through it. That’s what makes it interesting…

So FUD? No, I honestly don’t think so. At least that wasn’t my intended message…
 
The methods to attain reasonable VTA with all manner of carts with arms that aren't adjustable have been in use for decades and decades - it's just what's done. Were the cart too tall, options would be limited. Too short is very easy to deal with... if it needs to be dealt with at all.

The notion of a manufacturer dictating what's "supported" (will work) with an arm in an exclusive manner is silly. That's why it's FUD.
 
0.8mm is not going to make or break your experience. The cartridge's specified VTA is achieved as long as the tonearm is horizontal, and the AT VM95 and Ortofon OM cartridges are similar enough that you'll be fine.
 
I have a feeling anti-skate questions are right around the corner...
But in all seriousness, why not watch the readily available content online and then inquire about questions that are still not answered after?
If you can stomach the German accent and the long-windedness of the fellow from Ortofon, I find it one of the best set-up videos on the Youtube.
I really would like to get my hands on those acrylic stylus "models" that are employed in the video.

 
I use a microlinear stylus on my Planar 1, which has no height adjustment. I've tried a few mats over the last couple of years, all varying in thickness. Currently I'm using the tallest (3mm cork) and I haven't heard any change in tonality vs the stock felt mat.
 
some people with skills and practical experience (not theory) are very skeptical about VTA.

One example:

Exposing the VTA myth? [English]

Exposing the VTA myth, everything you'd wish to know about the Vertical Tracking Angle and such - www.tnt-audio.com - TNT-Audio - Internet HiFi magazine
www.tnt-audio.com

... and the basics about it is that some millimeter in height, are practically meaningless about the VTA angle change.

I think we need to try to set the tonearm parallel to the record and then listen to all the music we can :)
 
is anyone familiar with measurements showing the difference between vta and different degrees? I’ve always set it parallel and couldn’t tell any difference when I fiddled with it.
 
Changing tonearm height, changes other things as well, such as warp wow sensitivity.

My take is, set the tonearm parallell to the record (or the average height of a record, including warp). Inspect the SRA of the stylus at nominal VTF. If it looks ok at 90°-94° let it be. VTA will anyway vary between 20-30° depending on cartridge/stylus brand/arrangement.
 
For an 9 inch’ish tonearm 1mm of tonearm or cartridge height is about 1/4 degree change in VTA. Piffle. I doubt if any stylus is sensitive to fractions of a degree. I have my doubts that even a full degree or so matters much.
 
JP said:
The methods to attain reasonable VTA with all manner of carts with arms that aren't adjustable have been in use for decades and decades - it's just what's done. Were the cart too tall, options would be limited. Too short is very easy to deal with... if it needs to be dealt with at all.

The notion of a manufacturer dictating what's "supported" (will work) with an arm in an exclusive manner is silly. That's why it's FUD.
Click to expand...
Peace - Thank you.
 
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