I feel like a neophyte reading this. 2mm over a 10" tone arm seems like a very tiny angle. My trig is a little rusty to do the math without some homework, but the change in angle at the stylus would be minuscule. Do you really find these small changes in stylus angle to be audible or do you just like to be precise? What advantage is there to getting the tonearm resonance from 6Hz to 7 or 8Hz and is this measured or calculated?
My one regret with the Project tt is that the headshell is integrated into the tone arm. I have an Audio Technica AT-152LP (which was top of the line and since replaced by the AT150MLX) but without a removable headshell I've been lax to replace the Ortofon Red that came with the Project. I used to keep an old Shure for records that were in rough condition and reserved the AT-152LP for the good vinyl but that's not practical until I get another tt. Hard to do A/B tests between the Ortofon and AT considering the mounting and setup time and the AVR has only one phono input. The AT does have better specs on paper. Higher frequency response and wider separation but my speakers are only 12' apart so not sure if the change will be audible.
The proper VTA brings out the best tone balance; and, resonance peaking at 8 Hz or above is desirable since it's in the inaudible arena. I too have an Ortofon 2M Red, as well as an AT cart, the VM540ML. I can easily compare and contrast those carts along with my Shure carts, having two turntables and multiple phono stages on hand. So far, the carts to beat are the AT-VM540ML and Shure V15 type III fitted with a Jico SAS-B stylus assembly. Both deliver a CD like tone with the AT being somewhat extra crispy on high frequencies and the Shure less edgy on high frequencies. Both deliver bass to my liking, accentuated to taste via my 2.1 preamplifiers
At any rate, LP play is a paradox. I know there's a lot to like about it, as well as a lot to dislike about it; thus, wondering about it all, I recently performed an experiment to see if I could discern what means to recorded music was overall preferable.
The experiment was performed with Classic Hauser, a high dynamic range recording, on LP, CD, 24/96 FLAC Download, and Apple Music Download. Playing these, nine ways to Sunday as listed below, I had hoped the experimentation would determine what medium sounded best.
LP>Technics SL-1210GR/Shure V15V (SAS)>Sony TA-E9000ES Pre-Pro Phono Preamplifier input
24/96 FLAC Download>Foobar2000>OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
24/96 FLAC Download>Foobar2000>Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD (for usb to S/PDIF conversion at 24/96)>TA-E9000ES optical S/PDIF input
Apple Music Download>iTunes>Airport Express (wi-fi to S/PDIF 16/44.1 output)>Sony TA-E9000ES optical S/PDIF input
Apple Music Download>iTunes>OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
Apple Music Download>iTunes>Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD (for usb to S/PDIF conversion at 24/96)>TA-E9000ES optical S/PDIF input
Apple Music Download>Network connection to OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
24/96 FLAC Download>Thumb Drive>OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
24/96 FLAC Download>Network connection to OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
CD>OPPO-205>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
CD>Rip to iTunes in ALAC>OPPO-205 DAC up sampling to 24/192>Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
CD>Rip to iTunes in ALAC>Airport Express (wi-fi to S/PDIF 16/44.1 output) Sony TA-E9000ES analog input
CD>Rip to iTunes in ALAC>Creative Sound Blaster X-FI HD (for usb to S/PDIF conversion at 24/96)>Sony TA-E9000ES optical S/PDIF input
Conclusion: all processes yielded a satisfying listening experience, whereby tone, sound stage, and detail seemed so similar as to preclude any revelation to a particular process delivering the most compelling sound; however, three things did stand out: first, the presence of pops distracted LP pleasure, second, play of downloads via OPPO usb DAC, Drive Port, or Network connection is inconvenient, and finally, the iTunes play of the Apple Music AAC download via Airport Express to the Sony TA-E9000ES was most convenient, and sounded on par with the CD, ALAC and FLAC media. This makes me question any need for a means to music other than APPLE MUSIC. The exercise was a fun activity on a cold and dreary weekend which has kept me indoors. Note, Apple Music to thumb drive was not tested, since it would have required purchase of the album to permit copy to thumb drive.