"If you can change a tone arm,
you can install the VTAF."
- Joseph P Horvath II
you can install the VTAF."
- Joseph P Horvath II
VTAF™ INSTALLATION
An example of VTAF installation is provided in brief below. This happens to be a VTAF for post mounted Rega tonearms. Different tonearms have slightly different installation details. The full details of VTAF installation are included in substantial detail with each VTAF kit. An image of the parts included in the kit for the VTAF for post mounted Rega tonearms is shown in the photo below.
PARTS PROVIDED FOR REGA POST MOUNT VTAF :
The VTAF for post mount Rega arms has the following parts (see above figure):
The VTAF for post mount Rega arms has the following parts (see above figure):
- adjuster screw and wheel
- capture nut (holds adjuster screw onto Rega mounting post
- bronze bushing
- guide assembly
- small diameter sanding form
- large diameter sanding form
- coarse sandpaper
- Wire compass
- not shown: small brass shims in thicknesses of .010", .020", 030", .040" and .050" are included for shimming under the rear of the phone cartridge if a lower VTA setting is needed than provided by the basic setup of the VTAF™.
BRONZE BUSHING INSTALLATION STEPS:
If the VTAF is to be installed in an armboard or plinth with an existing mounting hole it will be necessary to enlarge the mounting hole to 1.25 inches or 32 mm to accept the VTAF bronze bushing. More details on this below. If the VTAF is to be installed in a blank armboard or plinth, the location of the mounting hole must be established. Begin by locating one point at the desired mounting distance from spindle to pivot. Strike an arc through that point. See the images immediately below. Then place tonearm over the arc to decide best point on the arc to drill the armboard. Remember that you may want a distance between the counterweight and the edges of the armboard or plinth, particularly if a turntable will have a dust cover. Leave the entire 1/8 inch thick flange of the bushing sitting above the top surface of the armboard or plinth. Do not recess the bushing flange.
If the VTAF is to be installed in an armboard or plinth with an existing mounting hole it will be necessary to enlarge the mounting hole to 1.25 inches or 32 mm to accept the VTAF bronze bushing. More details on this below. If the VTAF is to be installed in a blank armboard or plinth, the location of the mounting hole must be established. Begin by locating one point at the desired mounting distance from spindle to pivot. Strike an arc through that point. See the images immediately below. Then place tonearm over the arc to decide best point on the arc to drill the armboard. Remember that you may want a distance between the counterweight and the edges of the armboard or plinth, particularly if a turntable will have a dust cover. Leave the entire 1/8 inch thick flange of the bushing sitting above the top surface of the armboard or plinth. Do not recess the bushing flange.
ENLARGING AN EXISTING MOUNTING HOLE:
See the two images below.
An existing mounting hole in an aluminum armboard of thickness 1/4 inch or less can be enlarged as described below. For an aluminum armboard with thickness greater than 1/4 inch it is necessary to have a machine shop enlarge the hole.
Proceed as follows to enlarge an existing mounting hole in a wood or plastic armboard or plinth. Start by laying down a layer masking tape around the existing hole at the top and bottom of the armboard or plinth. Depress the masking tape around the hole edge to show the perimeter of the hole. Center the circle template (provided with the VTAF) over the existing hole and mark the perimeter of the new hole using a ball point pen. Do this at the top and bottom of the armboard or plinth. The existing hole can be enlarged using sanding forms and sandpaper provided with the VTAF. Other methods of enlarging the hole include using a 1.25 inch or 32 mm Forstner bit in a drill press, an appropriately sized hole saw, a 1/2 inch rotary file chucked into a hand held electric drill, or a 1/2" sanding drum chucked into a Dremel or similar rotary tool. Test fit the bronze bushing as you go to check your progress. Check frequenly as you approach the final fit between the bushing and the hole. If you choose to use the sanding forms and sandpaper, start with the small sanding form and graduate to the large sanding form. Work uniformly around the hole to enlarge the hole to the new perimeter you have marked on the armboard or plinth. Frequently check the top and bottom markings to be sure the hole remains centered. Figure on about 30 minutes to enlarge the hole.
See the two images below.
An existing mounting hole in an aluminum armboard of thickness 1/4 inch or less can be enlarged as described below. For an aluminum armboard with thickness greater than 1/4 inch it is necessary to have a machine shop enlarge the hole.
Proceed as follows to enlarge an existing mounting hole in a wood or plastic armboard or plinth. Start by laying down a layer masking tape around the existing hole at the top and bottom of the armboard or plinth. Depress the masking tape around the hole edge to show the perimeter of the hole. Center the circle template (provided with the VTAF) over the existing hole and mark the perimeter of the new hole using a ball point pen. Do this at the top and bottom of the armboard or plinth. The existing hole can be enlarged using sanding forms and sandpaper provided with the VTAF. Other methods of enlarging the hole include using a 1.25 inch or 32 mm Forstner bit in a drill press, an appropriately sized hole saw, a 1/2 inch rotary file chucked into a hand held electric drill, or a 1/2" sanding drum chucked into a Dremel or similar rotary tool. Test fit the bronze bushing as you go to check your progress. Check frequenly as you approach the final fit between the bushing and the hole. If you choose to use the sanding forms and sandpaper, start with the small sanding form and graduate to the large sanding form. Work uniformly around the hole to enlarge the hole to the new perimeter you have marked on the armboard or plinth. Frequently check the top and bottom markings to be sure the hole remains centered. Figure on about 30 minutes to enlarge the hole.
DRILLING A NEW MOUNTING HOLE:
For a new mounting hole in a metal, stone, or concrete armboard or plinth it is best to have the hole made by a machine shop or cut by water jet. For a wood or plastic armboard or plinth the hole can be cut by a Forstner bit (see image above) or a hole saw. Remember that you need a 1/16 inch or 1 mm chamfer or radius at the top edge of the mounting hole.
INSTALLING the VTAF BUSHING:
The VTAF™ bushing needs to be installed with a slight amount of clearance in a 1.25 inch or 32 mm nominal hole in the arm board or the turntable top deck. Break the top edge of the hole with a chamfer or radius of about 1/32 inch or 1 mm. The bushing flange needs to rest atop the armboard or plinth. Do not recess the bushing flange. Check the fit of the bushing in the mounting hole. It is desirable to have only a slight clearance between the bushing barrel and the mounting hole. However, if the hole is slightly inclined, it will be necessary to remove some material from the bottom portion of the hole wall to allow the bushing flange to rest flat atop the armboard or plinth.
It is not a problem if the mounting hole diameter happens to be a little too large. A wrap (partial, full, or multiple) of 1 inch wide masking tape around the bushing barrel can be used to take up excessive clearance.
For a new mounting hole in a metal, stone, or concrete armboard or plinth it is best to have the hole made by a machine shop or cut by water jet. For a wood or plastic armboard or plinth the hole can be cut by a Forstner bit (see image above) or a hole saw. Remember that you need a 1/16 inch or 1 mm chamfer or radius at the top edge of the mounting hole.
INSTALLING the VTAF BUSHING:
The VTAF™ bushing needs to be installed with a slight amount of clearance in a 1.25 inch or 32 mm nominal hole in the arm board or the turntable top deck. Break the top edge of the hole with a chamfer or radius of about 1/32 inch or 1 mm. The bushing flange needs to rest atop the armboard or plinth. Do not recess the bushing flange. Check the fit of the bushing in the mounting hole. It is desirable to have only a slight clearance between the bushing barrel and the mounting hole. However, if the hole is slightly inclined, it will be necessary to remove some material from the bottom portion of the hole wall to allow the bushing flange to rest flat atop the armboard or plinth.
It is not a problem if the mounting hole diameter happens to be a little too large. A wrap (partial, full, or multiple) of 1 inch wide masking tape around the bushing barrel can be used to take up excessive clearance.
INSTALLING THE VTAF ADJUSTER SCREW AND WHEEL:
See the images below.
The adjuster wheel has a finished top and an unfinished bottom. The finished top is jeweled (engine turned or damascened) and has a drilled index mark.
Insert the phono cables and ground wire, one at a time, through the end of the adjuster screw associated with the top of the adjuster wheel. Run the adjuster screw along the cables and over the REGA™ tone arm mounting stud, seating the adjuster screw against the bottom of the tone arm pedestal.
In the same manner, run the adjuster screw capture nut up the cables, start it carefully on the REGA™ arm mounting stud, and snug it loosely against the adjuster screw. Spin the adjuster wheel until it is near the base of the tone arm pedestal, but not in contact with the pedestal. We don’t want the adjuster wheel to be jammed against the base of the tone arm pedestal after we have tightened the adjuster screw capture nut.
Rotate the adjuster screw and wheel together until the index mark on the face of the adjuster wheel will be at the right side of the tone arm when facing the turntable, when the adjuster wheel makes contact with the tone arm base. Now wrap your fingers around the capture nut and the adjuster screw, squeeze, and tighten the capture nut with your fingers as tightly as you can. During this procedure do not put force on the arm pivot bearing system.
See the images below.
The adjuster wheel has a finished top and an unfinished bottom. The finished top is jeweled (engine turned or damascened) and has a drilled index mark.
Insert the phono cables and ground wire, one at a time, through the end of the adjuster screw associated with the top of the adjuster wheel. Run the adjuster screw along the cables and over the REGA™ tone arm mounting stud, seating the adjuster screw against the bottom of the tone arm pedestal.
In the same manner, run the adjuster screw capture nut up the cables, start it carefully on the REGA™ arm mounting stud, and snug it loosely against the adjuster screw. Spin the adjuster wheel until it is near the base of the tone arm pedestal, but not in contact with the pedestal. We don’t want the adjuster wheel to be jammed against the base of the tone arm pedestal after we have tightened the adjuster screw capture nut.
Rotate the adjuster screw and wheel together until the index mark on the face of the adjuster wheel will be at the right side of the tone arm when facing the turntable, when the adjuster wheel makes contact with the tone arm base. Now wrap your fingers around the capture nut and the adjuster screw, squeeze, and tighten the capture nut with your fingers as tightly as you can. During this procedure do not put force on the arm pivot bearing system.
INSTALLATION OF THE VTAF GUIDE ASSEMBLY (for Rega post mount):
Because the VTAF adjuster screw is not secured against rotation in the bronze bushing, it is necessary to provide a guide system to keep the tonearm base from rotating when the tonearm is in use.
The Vertical Guide Assembly consists of two guide posts affixed to a base. The base is to be mounted to the armboard or plinth with a flat head wood screw or a machine screw through its center hole. A No. 6 flat head wood screw, a 6-32 machine screw, and a 6-32 nut have been provided with the Guide Assembly. A small brass washer has been provided to go between the base of the Guide Assembly and the armboard or plinth. A lock washer has been provided to go between the nut and the bottom of the arm board.
With the tonearm and its attached adjuster screw inserted into the bronze bushing, and with the VTAF adjuster wheel bearing upon the busing flange, and with the arm wand locked in the arm rest, rotate the tonearm wand to the desired rest position. Locate the guide assembly so that its base is forward of the adjuster wheel, with 1/8 inch clearance between the base of the guide assembly and the adjuster wheel. See the image below. Mark the location of the guide assembly with two strips of masking tape at right angles with each other. Temporarily Remove the tonearm from the turntable. Relocate the guide assembly to it's desired position and mark the center of the guide assembly onto the armboard or plinth. Temporarily remove the guide assembly.
Because the VTAF adjuster screw is not secured against rotation in the bronze bushing, it is necessary to provide a guide system to keep the tonearm base from rotating when the tonearm is in use.
The Vertical Guide Assembly consists of two guide posts affixed to a base. The base is to be mounted to the armboard or plinth with a flat head wood screw or a machine screw through its center hole. A No. 6 flat head wood screw, a 6-32 machine screw, and a 6-32 nut have been provided with the Guide Assembly. A small brass washer has been provided to go between the base of the Guide Assembly and the armboard or plinth. A lock washer has been provided to go between the nut and the bottom of the arm board.
With the tonearm and its attached adjuster screw inserted into the bronze bushing, and with the VTAF adjuster wheel bearing upon the busing flange, and with the arm wand locked in the arm rest, rotate the tonearm wand to the desired rest position. Locate the guide assembly so that its base is forward of the adjuster wheel, with 1/8 inch clearance between the base of the guide assembly and the adjuster wheel. See the image below. Mark the location of the guide assembly with two strips of masking tape at right angles with each other. Temporarily Remove the tonearm from the turntable. Relocate the guide assembly to it's desired position and mark the center of the guide assembly onto the armboard or plinth. Temporarily remove the guide assembly.
Drill a hole to accept the Guide Assembly mounting screw. The diameter of the hole needs to be 3/32" diameter if the hole is a pilot hole for a No. 6 wood screw. The hole diameter needs to be 5/32 inch if it is a through hole for a No. 6 machine screw.
Remember that a plain brass washer has been provided to go between the guide assembly base and the armboard or plinth. If using a machine screw, install the provided lock washer before installing the nut.
Tighten the Guide Assembly Mounting Screw sufficiently that the Guide Assembly can be turned against friction, and not so tight that the Guide Assembly is difficult to turn.
For some tonearms it is advisable to rotate the lift/lower assembly to help the lift/lower lever clear the guide post. For most tonearms a small set screw (grub screw) holds the lift lower assembly in place.
After installing the tonearm into the VTAF Bushing and the Guide Assembly, rotate the Guide Assembly so that there is about .01 inches of play between the guide posts and the frontal extension of the tonearm bearing assembly. This is roughly the thickness of a business card, a playing card, a file card, or the stock from which a file folder is made. Place a card of this thickness between one of the guide posts and the frontal extension of the tonearm assembly; rotate the Guide Assembly until snug; and remove the card.
This completes the instructions for installation of a post mount Rega tonearm. See an image of the completed assembly below.
Remember that a plain brass washer has been provided to go between the guide assembly base and the armboard or plinth. If using a machine screw, install the provided lock washer before installing the nut.
Tighten the Guide Assembly Mounting Screw sufficiently that the Guide Assembly can be turned against friction, and not so tight that the Guide Assembly is difficult to turn.
For some tonearms it is advisable to rotate the lift/lower assembly to help the lift/lower lever clear the guide post. For most tonearms a small set screw (grub screw) holds the lift lower assembly in place.
After installing the tonearm into the VTAF Bushing and the Guide Assembly, rotate the Guide Assembly so that there is about .01 inches of play between the guide posts and the frontal extension of the tonearm bearing assembly. This is roughly the thickness of a business card, a playing card, a file card, or the stock from which a file folder is made. Place a card of this thickness between one of the guide posts and the frontal extension of the tonearm assembly; rotate the Guide Assembly until snug; and remove the card.
This completes the instructions for installation of a post mount Rega tonearm. See an image of the completed assembly below.
I always thought the phrase "jaw-dropping" was simply a metaphor, but that is what happens with every record I play; literally. I simply cannot recommend your products highly enough. Joe Giacalone
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.