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Audio Additives vs Acoustic Sounds Digital Scale

I have an Acoustic Sounds metal digital scale. It looks identical to the Audio Additives one. On my Acoustic Sounds scale, the cart magnet makes the platform and scale read negative numbers prior to lowering the cart onto the scale. I use the tare button to 'zero' the platform prior to lowering the cart.

The Audio Additives scale on the Music Direct website says the metal case is non-magnetic. Does this include the scale too, unlike the Acoustic Sounds scale?

Anyone who uses the Audio Additives scale, could you please let me know if its magnetic or not? In other words, does the scale require taring due to suspending the cart over the scale making it move from zero?

As a side, I have heard some say the taring in a magnetic situation is not needed and when you lower the cart onto the platform, it weighs the actual weight/force of the cart. This doesn't make sense to me as before the stylus touches the scale platform it should read zero in my mind and not, for example -0.051g.

Thanks in advance for any info.
philb7777
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Whether this magnetic attraction needs to be tared out depends on which part of the scale the cartridge is attracted to:
- if the attraction is to the weighing surface, which sits above the load cell, then it should not be tared out;
- if the attraction is to something beneath the load cell, then it should be tared out;
- if the attraction is to both the weighing surface and something beneath the load cell, then the attraction due to something below the load cell should be tared out and the attraction due to the weighing surface should not be. Good luck with that.

We've had this discussion before, recently. John tracy and Dinster acknowledged these facts then. I don't know why they're reverted to a "one answer fits all" position but either answer is an over-simplification.

***
That said, all the above is much ado about nothing. Just use a scale that has no magnetic attraction. Whether it affects the indicated VTF or not, that attraction stresses the cantilever and suspension. It's an easily avoided risk that no one need take.

Personally, I've been using Yogiboy's approach for 12+ years... a gunpowder scale with a DIY weighing step made of non-magnetic material. Works perfectly and safely, measures to the nearest .001g, less costly than any audio branded scale.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,474 posts
 
There isn't a need for an electronic scale... I have one, but the Shure is good enough. You get it in the ballpark and LISTEN. The results will tell you if its right or not.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Orftofon DS-3 is excellent.

I have had one for over 12 months.

Works very well and at the approx height of the lp?

It is cheaper to buy direct from Japan outside of the eBay rip off prices, but you need to then use a Japan forwarder service. EBay price is not as high as it was 12 months ago

Enjoy
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Stringreen, , I agree with you with one exception (and provided that one's Shure balance is made from non-magnetic material... some aren't).

The exception is anyone who swaps out cartridges frequently. They may benefit from a scale that provides precise, repeatable results, as it allows rapid dialing in of the known, preferred VTF for a particular cartridge. Tweaking by ear is quicker if you start within .01g or so of the ideal.

Horses for courses, of course.
bill_k
916 posts
 
Doug, would you mind elaborating a bit on how to fabricate a DIY weighing step made of non-magnetic material. Any hints on suitable material and method for bending it would be helpful and very much appreciated. TIA!
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