what is the problem with too much tracking force?

czarivey,

Thanks for that.  In fact I called my dealer to chat, and told him I watched Michael Freemmer's setup dvd, and that I want to learn this on my own.  He told me that while Fremmer certainly knows his vinyl, my dealer does not agree with his method exactly.  He said that he also uses a well known record and does some adjustment by ear.

Are you sure about the 1.75 - 2.25 range?  The Lyra website says this of the Delos:
"Recommended tracking force: 1.7g ~ 1.8g (1.75g preferred)"

That's a pretty tight range!

Do you think I should try 1.75 precisely? Or that my dealer did something wise with the 1.95?

I have  a Rega RB250 arm modified with a michell tecnoweight.

czarivey05-29-2016 10:08am"lyra ranges from 1.75g to 2.25g so yours isn't "overweight" ... The tonearm compliance may also come to equation to ensure proper and stable tracking of cartridge."


Actually, Lyra specifies 1.7 - 1.8 grams so yes, 2.25 grams is a little high for this cartridge.

As for "tonearm compliance" ... pickup arms shouldn't really have any compliance at all, so I don't know how it can "come into the equation."

Cleeds, what is your advice?  1.76 exactly?  What would you expect the issues may be with 1.95 of force as the table is at now versus the proper 1.76?

Yes, Lyra's recommendation is 1.70 - 1.80 grams. Yes, this is a rather tight range compared to other cartridges.
The tracking range on my Transfiguration Phoenix S is 1.7 - 2.2 grams with a 2.0 grams recommended. 5 times the range of your Lyra.

First, I would not panic, as 1.95 is not so much off that any damage has occurred. Second, as sbank mentions, always check your VTF one last time after making any other adjustments, as changing azimuth, VTA, etc., can all effect the VTF.

Lastly, how many times did you check the VTF, and how much was it changing?
Generally, many scales have a certain "sweet" spot that could change the results a bit. For example, if I have the cartridge sitting right in the sweet spot, generally if weighed three times the weight will barely fluctuate, say +/- 0.01 gram. If you are off the spot a bit, you may get fluctuations of +/- 0.05 grams.

Just go ahead and make the adjustments to set the VTF in the 1.7-1.8 range. Shoot for 1.75, but don't worry if it is 1.73, 1.74, 1.76, etc., as the scales have some error in them as well.
Just enjoy the music.

FWIW, I don't get too caught up in getting an exact VTF setting.  IMHO, it is more about getting the correct combined setting of VTA and VTF taking into consideration the thickness of the record. I've always considered VTA to be the most important of the two and have often adjusted the VTF to effect a minor change in the VTA. I can more easily hear small changes in VTA than I ever have in VTF.