The Pro-Ject VT-E Counterweight (087) is the replacement counterweight for the Pro-Ject VT-E tonearm. The VT-E is a vertical belt-drive turntable designed for table-top or wall-mounted use, fitted with an 8.6-inch aluminium tonearm. The 087 counterweight is the correct part for this tonearm, sized to balance cartridges in the 3 to 5.5g body-mass range and deliver a tracking force anywhere in the 0 to 25mN range.
What a Counterweight Does
The counterweight mounts at the rear of the tonearm tube, opposite the cartridge. By adjusting its position along the stub, you balance the arm parallel to the platter surface; rotating the graduated dial then sets the precise downforce the stylus exerts on the groove. Setting the correct vertical tracking force (VTF) is essential: too little and the stylus will skip or mistrack; too much and both the stylus tip and record groove face accelerated wear. The 087 designation identifies the thread size and mount specification unique to the VT-E tonearm, so it fits without play or vibration.
Compatibility
This counterweight is compatible with the Pro-Ject VT-E (right-handed and left-handed versions). It is the correct replacement if the original counterweight has been lost or damaged, or if you are fitting a cartridge that falls within the supported body-mass range. It is not interchangeable with counterweights from other Pro-Ject tonearm families, which use different thread specifications.