what is the problem with too much tracking force?


I have a Lyra Delos on a Michell Tecnodec.  The dealer set it up for me.  2 years later, I would like to learn to do this myself.  I bought the MOFI Geo Disc alignment tool, a digital stylus scale, a powerful magnifier, and an ultrasonic stylus cleaner.  I am ready to up my game with my vinyl hobby.  I was on the sidelines too long!

The first thing I did was to weigh the VTF with the scale with my table set up as it has been for a couple of years.  It came in at 1.95g.  The Lyra documentation suggests 1.75, so clearly I am tracking too heavy.  Before I correct this, what is the issue?  Is there something I should look for when I change it to 1.75?

Any advice before I do this adjustment would be much appreciated!
marktomaras
Much too high can cause excess wear, too light and you won't track and will probably skip a lot.  Will you hear a difference between 1.75 and 1.95?  Doubtful, but you never know.  Try it and see.  You won;t hurt anything.
In my estimation there is:

Not enough VTF
Enough VTF
More than enough VTF
Too much VTF

In my experience with two Delos carts, measuring VTF with a 3 place digimeter, I aim for 1.80, what I feel is the Enough VTF setting. These both on VPI Aries 2 Black and Technics SL1200 Mk2 tables.

marktomaras
" ... 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?"

I think it's generally wise to follow the manufacturer's  recommendation.  In this case, you may have some increased stylus and/or vinyl wear because of too much VTF.  But I think that's unlikely, especially because the recommended VTF is within such as narrow range.

FWIW my upgraded Skala on an Origin Live Illustrious arm is at 1.75 & tracking is absolutely fine. 
When you wrote the dealer does final setup by ear, that's the ticket.

Let's look at it this way: The diamond on the end of the cantilever is kinda small. This diamond may have been installed by a human hand, or with a small 'guide', then glued. Does the glue allow a fraction of 'creep'?. Is the hole accepting the diamond perfect?.

It is likely no diamond is exactly perfect.

Final alignment should always be done by ear. Protractors are a starting point. Azimuth is my single most important 'fine tune'. VTA changes with album thickness.