VTA problem with OL Onyx

[gibsonfndr]

Hi guys. Long time no see. I was a happy camper, playing my origin live modified RB 250 and my OL aurora turntable when I decided to upgrade my tone arm and buy one Origin Live Onyx tone arm. Everything seemed to be perfect until after noticing the sound was a bit "dull" when playing some LPs (namely : thick 180g) I tried to fine tune the VTA and move the arm a bit higher. I then discovered the arm rest (the thingie used to raise or lower the arm in order to play a record, see pic attached) was positioned so close to the arm I couldn't adjust it or the arm wouldn't be able to move freely on the record so it was no useable any more. The record would repeat the same note forever or jump from one track to the other.
When asked about a possible solution, OL didn't answer me.
Can any one help me ?
Is there a way to lower this arm rest part or is getting rid of it the only solution ?

[13oots2]

At the lower side of the arm raise mech is a very small allen bolt, you should be able to adjust the height to suit.

[markcass]

Hi

I haven't had this exact problem with my Onyx, though I did have to rotate the base anti-clockwise (away from the platter) a little so that the arm rest (the fixed part with the clip for the arm tube) didn't "nudge" the arm when I lowered it into the run-in groove. The arm base and rest in your picture look to have been rotated much further anti-clockwise, though. It's just possible that's the cause of the problem, as the arm might be forced to rotate to a much greater angle than intended when playing a record.

See also "If the arm 'sticks' in playing a record" on page 4 of the instructions included with the arm. This suggests the curved arm rest is fouling the yoke at the back of the arm, and how to cure it by rotating the arm rest.

As for the arm lift itself, the height adjustment procedure is explained in the paragraph just above, also on page 4. This bears out 13oots2's suggestion.

I find I have a full range of VTA adjustment without any problems.

HTH

Mark

[satanfriendly]

What are your thoughts as to the Onyx?

Obviously read good in the press, but as a user? It is one arm I have shortlisted as a future possibility.

[markcass]

Hi satanfriendly

I'm very pleased with it. Mine is installed on an Ace Spacedeck, and was easy to fit in the Rega arm mount I already had. A few minor post-installation glitches aside, everything works very well.

I found the arm a big improvement on an upgraded RB250, which sounds a bit "agricultural" in comparison. The Onyx is clear, refined and much more uncoloured. It's been sounding really good fitted with an Ortofon Rondo Red and then a Blue (the Blue was less pleasing on the Rega, leading me to prefer the Red in that context).

HTH

Mark

[gibsonfndr]

Guys. Thanks for' the kind answers yet I still have a problem.
Either I hit the language barrier (I'm French)or my wife is right when she says I'm a blind owl with the IQ of a fence post ... or both.

I searched for one allen bolt on the "arm rest" and found none.
I am talking about the part shown here :



This part can't be lowered any more or so it seems to me.

Now for the arm plate, #2 on the pic below, which according to me, is the part that should be lowered I tried to turn it clockwise or counterclockwise with no effect. It is so firmly fixed I'm afraid of breaking something ... so which part do I miss ?

[markcass]

Hi

I don't quite see why you need to lower the arm rest(the part that moves up and down when you operate the lever), as there seems to be plenty of clearance between it and the bottom of the arm tube, judging by the first picture.

What does look a bit wrong is the position of the arm rest. I think it's twisted too far round, so it's contacting the yoke. It should be gently turned anti-clockwise, so that the curve is less sharp when viewed from the front, if you follow me. You may need to loosen the silver bolt visible at the top to do this.

You can't lower part nr. 2 in the second picture; this is a fixed part of the arm structure.

HTH

Mark

[gibsonfndr]

Hi

I don't quite see why you need to lower the arm rest(the part that moves up and down when you operate the lever), as there seems to be plenty of clearance between it and the bottom of the arm tube, judging by the first picture.

What does look a bit wrong is the position of the arm rest. I think it's twisted too far round, so it's contacting the yoke. It should be gently turned anti-clockwise, so that the curve is less sharp when viewed from the front, if you follow me. You may need to loosen the silver bolt visible at the top to do this.

You can't lower part nr. 2 in the second picture; this is a fixed part of the arm structure.

HTH

Mark

sorry ... the arm rest is in the wrong position because of me, as seen on the pic the arm's no in use. the arm rest will be put back to its regular place once I'll use the arm again. The only way I found to get the arm at the right angle when playing thick LPs was to let the arm rest go loose and have it put aside ...

[markcass]

Hi

Here's an image of mine, showing how everything's arranged at the pivot end.



HTH

Mark

[gofar99]

Hi, I ran into a similar issue with an OL Alliance arm. I found two things... one the VTA was set too high (easy fix) and there is a small nylon washer under the lift (part that actually touches the arm) that can be removed. You need to remove the allen screw to get the part off. It is fairly thin, but will give you an extra 1/8 inch or so at the stylus end of the arm if you remove it. Also like some other folk found the position of the lift does matter. I had to rotate mine back and forth to get a suitable amount of clearance. BTW the arm works great with a Grado Reference Platinum I on a Sota.

[gibsonfndr]

Hi, I ran into a similar issue with an OL Alliance arm. I found two things... one the VTA was set too high (easy fix) and there is a small nylon washer under the lift (part that actually touches the arm) that can be removed. You need to remove the allen screw to get the part off. It is fairly thin, but will give you an extra 1/8 inch or so at the stylus end of the arm if you remove it.

Thanks I sort of came to this conclusion meself ...