Audiomods on PTA

[minio]

Hi Guys

I've just installed an Audiomods arm on a PTA with a Tim Bissell armboard.

First impressions are favourable especially of the professionalism in the frequency extremes. My previous reference is a early 80s Hadcock which has a lovability about it.

Hence some mixed emotions but the tweaking is ongoing and there is no doubt this is an impressive bit of kit for the money.

Thanks Tim for the armboard. Its a perfect fit and really looks the part. Pics to follow in the pipeline.

[tim_bissell]

My pleasure! I look forwards to the pictures!

[rolleye]

An AudioMods arm on a PTA is a great choice, once it's set up properly (and that's a doddle really)you'll be impressed. What cartidge are you using?

[minio]

Here it is. Currently using an Ortofon MC20 Super which is getting on a bit but still puts in a competent performance. Any other suggestions are welcome. I quite fancy a Denon 304.

After the happy go lucky Hadcock the Audiomods is quite a culture shock. I'm experiencing a serious dose of accuracy. Perhaps an amp other than my Pioneer A400 might be better. Not that accuracy is a bad thing as listening is very involving as is expected of a good vinyl setup - I haven't listened to CDs for quite a while.

[minio]

Heres the bigger picture.

[abril]

Is the bias quadrant mounted right

[rolleye]

doesn't look right to me either, needs to turned anticlockwise a bit

[minio]

I'll have another look at the destructions.

Does anyone know how to get a little more adjustment on the suspension springs? The rear spring is at the highest limit but still not quite high enough ideally. 1 or 2 more mm would be ideal.

Also where can I get a spacer to lift the VTA a tad?

[abril]

I'll have another look at the destructions.

Have a look at the pic here from Jeff's site
http://www.audiomods.co.uk/completearms.html

Also where can I get a spacer to lift the VTA a tad

Surely thats what the micrometer adjuster's for.

[rolleye]

I have 2 x 4mm spacers under my AudioMods arm and i still have the micrometer 'turned up' a tad!....works ok though.

reason being the armboard on my modified PT Too is not the right one and needs another 10mm added to it to bring it up to the correct height for the arm I have some balsa/aluminium sheet somewhere which i must fit

[abril]

My home made Rega board for the PT1 sits several mm low but the manual adjuster lets me set the VTA OK

[horfield]

Hi Minio,

The amount of arm height adjustment you need doesn't seem right to me. I have a PTA with AudioMods arm (admittedly non-micrometer) with a Lyra Delos cart. I've had Rega based arms before on my PT's and have only had to raise them by 4mm or so above the armboard. I got my Armboard from funk and I believe that the total thickness is about 23or 24mm (13mm for the spacer and 11mm for board itself). Regarding cart's, I've recently swapped from a Audio Technica AT-OC9 MlII to the Delos. I don't know how far your budget will stretch but in my opinion the Delos is a fabulous cart, well worth the money. Tracks well, great detail, excellent dynamics and stereo imaging, but somehow manages to stay natural (not harsh) sounding. The only downside for me of this cart is that getting the VTA/SRA + VTF in the sweet spot. It is very fussy in this respect. I'm now very happy with my combination. By the way, you have got the quadrant set incorrectly, but you've probably worked that out already.

Neale

[minio]

Also where can I get a spacer to lift the VTA a tad

Surely thats what the micrometer adjuster's for.[/quote]

Jeff does not recommend extending the micrometer more than 6mm for actual use. Better to use a spacer to lift the arm so that the micrometer has a more effective range of adjustment. ie: Fine rather than coarse coarse tuning of VTA.

The a/s quadrant is now in correct position

[minio]

The amount of arm height adjustment you need doesn't seem right to me.

My armboard has the same dimensions as those supplied by Pink ie same thickness. The Ortofon I use is a bit higher in dimension than some others. I raised my old Hadcock a wee bit more to accommodate it in the past.


I hadn't thought of spacing the armboard higher. I'll probably look for a 2mm spacer for the arm shaft.