"It is just as you promised - more detail, tighter bass, better sound-stage, easy to install and use and gorgeous to look at! Thank you so much for another brilliant DIYer's dream item." - Brad Ellis
tHE Original VTAF for REga Post mounted tonearms. versions are made for most other tonearm makes and models.
The "Standard VTAF" Mounted on a Rega RB250 tonearm on a Thorens TD124 Turnttable
It all began with the Standard VTAF for post mounted Rega tonearms and their many variations,like the RB250, RB300, RB600, Origin Live OL1 (all versions), Origin Live Silver (Mk.I and Mk.II), and versions of the RB250 by Brit Audio, Expressimo, Moth, Michell (the Technoarm), Incognito, Thorens, and others. We have since extended application of the VTAF to three point mount Rega arms and to most tonearms in conjunction with most turntables.
The VTAF units for Rega arms work without additional accessories on most turntables having a large armboard or plinth, including most traditional tables, the Teres tables, and the Michell tables.
Extension plates are available for mounting the VTAF guide assembly on turntables with small arm boards (examples: Nottingham and Origin Live Turntables).
The VTAF greatly improves tone arm sonic performance by damping tonearm vibration at the interface between the tonearm and the armboard or plinth.
Sonic advantages are more than Just VTA on the Fly, including improved sound stage, imaging, space, air, nuance, inner detail, dynamics, pace and rhythm, bass clarity, and musicality.
Practical advantages include continuous variable smooth and easy adjustment of VTA on the fly with infinite resolution.
Each full turn of the adjuster wheel results in only .025 inches height change of the tonearm base. After VTAF installation the arm can be removed from and restored to the turntable in just moments, making the arm easily removable for transport, for cartridge maintenance and cleaning, or for cartridge replacement (without standing on your head). Other VTA adjusters, original or after-market do not claim or provide the sonic or practical advantages listed above.
Extension plates are available for mounting the VTAF guide assembly on turntables with small arm boards (examples: Nottingham and Origin Live Turntables).
The VTAF greatly improves tone arm sonic performance by damping tonearm vibration at the interface between the tonearm and the armboard or plinth.
Sonic advantages are more than Just VTA on the Fly, including improved sound stage, imaging, space, air, nuance, inner detail, dynamics, pace and rhythm, bass clarity, and musicality.
Practical advantages include continuous variable smooth and easy adjustment of VTA on the fly with infinite resolution.
Each full turn of the adjuster wheel results in only .025 inches height change of the tonearm base. After VTAF installation the arm can be removed from and restored to the turntable in just moments, making the arm easily removable for transport, for cartridge maintenance and cleaning, or for cartridge replacement (without standing on your head). Other VTA adjusters, original or after-market do not claim or provide the sonic or practical advantages listed above.
Benefits of the VTAF
VTA is smoothly and easily adjusted on the fly.
The tone arm is better isolated from the arm board for sound reproduction with improved soundstage, better imaging, and greater inner detail, nuance, and air.
VTA is easily measured and repeated.
Simplified removal and replacement of the tone arm system from and to the arm board for ease of cartridge cleaning and repair and ease of transport.
Simplified transfer of the tone arm system from one turntable to another (requires a VTAF bushing and vertical guide in each turntable... additional bushing plus vertical guide available for $96).
VTA is smoothly and easily adjusted on the fly.
The tone arm is better isolated from the arm board for sound reproduction with improved soundstage, better imaging, and greater inner detail, nuance, and air.
VTA is easily measured and repeated.
Simplified removal and replacement of the tone arm system from and to the arm board for ease of cartridge cleaning and repair and ease of transport.
Simplified transfer of the tone arm system from one turntable to another (requires a VTAF bushing and vertical guide in each turntable... additional bushing plus vertical guide available for $96).
How The VTAF Works:
The photo shows the VTAF on a post mounted Rega arm. The thin walled externally threaded adjuster screw is secured to the Rega mounting post with a thin walled capture nut at the bottom of the post.
The patented VTAF has several parts. A thin walled tubular steel precision VTAF Adjuster Screw with extra fine external threads slips over the tone arm mounting post.
For post mounted Rega tone, arms the VTAF Adjuster Screw is held to the tone arm mounting post by a thin walled capture ring threaded onto the threaded mounting post.
For tone arms with a smooth tone arm mounting post, the VTAF Adjuster Screw is held to the tone arm mounting post with a pair of wave springs which provide a non-resonant connecton between the adjuster screw and the post.
For Rega 3 point mount arms, which have no tone arm mounting post, the top of the VTAF Adjuster Screw is attached to a substantial brass platform to which the 3 point tonearm mount is screwed in 3 places.
A precision machined solid brass VTAF Adjuster Wheel with knurled edge for thumbwheel action (2-1/4" outside diameter, 1/10 inch thick... 56 mm x 2.5 mm) runs smoothly on the extra fine threads of the adjuster screw.
A substantial bronze thrust bushing slip fits to the arm board hole and accepts the adjuster screw in a vertical sliding fashion, with only a few thousandths inch clearance, precisely locating the tone arm pedestal on the arm board. The VTAF Adjuster Wheel bears directly on the top flange of the bronze thrust bushing.
Each turn of the solid brass adjuster wheel raises or lowers the tone arm pedestal by exactly 25 thousandths of an inch (.625 mm). Less than a full turn produces proportionally less change. An easy-to-see witness mark is provided on the adjuster wheel. For line contact cartridges the sweet spot may be localize to a spot within one turn of the adjuster wheel.
The tone arm pedestal is not fastened down to the arm board, but is supported by the bottom surface of the adjuster wheel resting flat on the precision top flange of the bronze thrust bushing, under the influence of gravity. Because the tone arm is essentially balanced over the pivot point, the tone arm pedestal naturally rests level, without any tipping tendency. This precise but non-rigid "floating" connection of the pedestal to the arm board is the key to better sonics from the tone arm.
A simple precision machined solid brass VTAF Vertical Guide Assembly captures a horizontal projection of the tone arm pedestal, allowing vertical motion of the tone arm pedestal, but preventing the pedestal from rotating in the bronze bushing. The vertical guide assembly adjusts smoothly and easily to minimize free play between the guide system and the pedestal projection.
The VTAF Adjuster Wheel raises and lowers the tone arm pedestal easily, smoothly, and precisely, with the record in play. The user can hear changes in the reproduced sound as adjustments are made.
Construction and finish of The VTAF is elegantly simple, attractive in appearance, solidly constructed, and precision machined from solid brass and steel. The appearance parts are solid brass with a clear lacquer finish. You may also select a Smoky Silver finish option, $40 USD, which has clear lacquer over nickel plate solid brass. Another option is the VTAF Teflon Upgrade, priced at $40 USD.
For post mounted Rega tone, arms the VTAF Adjuster Screw is held to the tone arm mounting post by a thin walled capture ring threaded onto the threaded mounting post.
For tone arms with a smooth tone arm mounting post, the VTAF Adjuster Screw is held to the tone arm mounting post with a pair of wave springs which provide a non-resonant connecton between the adjuster screw and the post.
For Rega 3 point mount arms, which have no tone arm mounting post, the top of the VTAF Adjuster Screw is attached to a substantial brass platform to which the 3 point tonearm mount is screwed in 3 places.
A precision machined solid brass VTAF Adjuster Wheel with knurled edge for thumbwheel action (2-1/4" outside diameter, 1/10 inch thick... 56 mm x 2.5 mm) runs smoothly on the extra fine threads of the adjuster screw.
A substantial bronze thrust bushing slip fits to the arm board hole and accepts the adjuster screw in a vertical sliding fashion, with only a few thousandths inch clearance, precisely locating the tone arm pedestal on the arm board. The VTAF Adjuster Wheel bears directly on the top flange of the bronze thrust bushing.
Each turn of the solid brass adjuster wheel raises or lowers the tone arm pedestal by exactly 25 thousandths of an inch (.625 mm). Less than a full turn produces proportionally less change. An easy-to-see witness mark is provided on the adjuster wheel. For line contact cartridges the sweet spot may be localize to a spot within one turn of the adjuster wheel.
The tone arm pedestal is not fastened down to the arm board, but is supported by the bottom surface of the adjuster wheel resting flat on the precision top flange of the bronze thrust bushing, under the influence of gravity. Because the tone arm is essentially balanced over the pivot point, the tone arm pedestal naturally rests level, without any tipping tendency. This precise but non-rigid "floating" connection of the pedestal to the arm board is the key to better sonics from the tone arm.
A simple precision machined solid brass VTAF Vertical Guide Assembly captures a horizontal projection of the tone arm pedestal, allowing vertical motion of the tone arm pedestal, but preventing the pedestal from rotating in the bronze bushing. The vertical guide assembly adjusts smoothly and easily to minimize free play between the guide system and the pedestal projection.
The VTAF Adjuster Wheel raises and lowers the tone arm pedestal easily, smoothly, and precisely, with the record in play. The user can hear changes in the reproduced sound as adjustments are made.
Construction and finish of The VTAF is elegantly simple, attractive in appearance, solidly constructed, and precision machined from solid brass and steel. The appearance parts are solid brass with a clear lacquer finish. You may also select a Smoky Silver finish option, $40 USD, which has clear lacquer over nickel plate solid brass. Another option is the VTAF Teflon Upgrade, priced at $40 USD.
Tonearm and Turntable Compatability
The VTAF works with all but the most unusual tonearms and turntables.
The VTAF works with firmly suspended turntables. Examples are the Garrard 301, the Thorens TD124, the Teres tables, the Nottingham tables, the Rega Planar models, VPI tables,
The VTAF works with spring suspended turntables. Examples are the Thorens TD125, 150, and 160 models, Linn models, AR, Merril and Scilia models, Oracle tables, and Origin Live tables.
The range of tonearms, turntables, and tonearm/turntable combinations on which the VTAF has been installed grows. If you have questons about your table/arm combination, please inquire.
Once the VTAF Bronze Bushing is installed in the arm board or turntable deck, it is a snap to remove/replace the arm from/to the turntable for work on the cartridge. The arm is simply lifted out of the bushing while the cables are guided out of the turntable base and through the bushing. This eliminates the need to get under the turntable base to remove or replace the arm. No kidding, this is a huge benefit. When was the last time you were able to easily inspect your stylus?
With additional bushing and vertical guide parts (available separately) a tone arm may be easily transferred from one turntable to another in just moments.
The VTAF works with all but the most unusual tonearms and turntables.
The VTAF works with firmly suspended turntables. Examples are the Garrard 301, the Thorens TD124, the Teres tables, the Nottingham tables, the Rega Planar models, VPI tables,
The VTAF works with spring suspended turntables. Examples are the Thorens TD125, 150, and 160 models, Linn models, AR, Merril and Scilia models, Oracle tables, and Origin Live tables.
The range of tonearms, turntables, and tonearm/turntable combinations on which the VTAF has been installed grows. If you have questons about your table/arm combination, please inquire.
Once the VTAF Bronze Bushing is installed in the arm board or turntable deck, it is a snap to remove/replace the arm from/to the turntable for work on the cartridge. The arm is simply lifted out of the bushing while the cables are guided out of the turntable base and through the bushing. This eliminates the need to get under the turntable base to remove or replace the arm. No kidding, this is a huge benefit. When was the last time you were able to easily inspect your stylus?
With additional bushing and vertical guide parts (available separately) a tone arm may be easily transferred from one turntable to another in just moments.
"The arm being practically free of the deck has improved clarity, giving the perception of improved timing and space." - Leonard Cue
"The installation instructions were foolproof and after the 45 minutes that it took to remove my Expressimo Audio VTA and install yours (mostly sanding the hole in my Corian armboard and adjusting height so that the cartridge body was parallel with the record) I was playing music." - Barry Howard
"The installation instructions were foolproof and after the 45 minutes that it took to remove my Expressimo Audio VTA and install yours (mostly sanding the hole in my Corian armboard and adjusting height so that the cartridge body was parallel with the record) I was playing music." - Barry Howard
Pete Riggle Audio
2112 S. Olympia Street, Kennewick WA 99337, USA
shop phone: 509 582 4548 email: peteriggle@msn.com
VTAF™ Trademarked. U.S.Patent No. 7630288. Website content Copyright © 2019 Pete Riggle Audio, All Rights Reserved.
2112 S. Olympia Street, Kennewick WA 99337, USA
shop phone: 509 582 4548 email: peteriggle@msn.com
VTAF™ Trademarked. U.S.Patent No. 7630288. Website content Copyright © 2019 Pete Riggle Audio, All Rights Reserved.