What Digital Stylus Force Gauge Do You Like?

Rushton, finally someone who understands how to use a scale and the nonsense of getting highly 'accurate' scales (and expensive) for VTF setting of cartridges.
I use the small scale supplied with the B&O cartridge a long time ago and then 'tune' by ear with a test record. Repeatability is about 0.1g, which is sufficient for my purposes - I calibrate my vinyl playback system about every 3 months.
Salut, Bob P.

Rushton: Thanks so much for the walkeraudio link--very clear and helpful as I continue to dial in my Transfiguration Temper Supreme with my Graham 2.2 arm and RPM 2 table.
Joe

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As Rushton says, VTF is best set by listening, using a test LP designed for this purpose if possible. If you have a stylus force gauge, and you want to calibrate it, a nickle coin weighs exactly 5 grams.
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Rushton is correct of course, but there's another situation where a highly accurate scale is useful.

VTF settings on my tonearm are not inherently repeatable. Its only VTF mechanism is moving the counterweight, and the tiniest movement can throw VTF way off. Retightening the set screw can throw VTF way off again. Before I can use my fine VTF adjustment (sliding o-rings on the end shaft) I need to set the counterweight within .05g or so

Combine that scenario with a cartridge that needs a VTF tweak every time the temperature changes and the utility of a good scale becomes apparent very quickly.

Yes, we still have to fine tune by ear. But since I can only do that within a range of + or + .04g or so, a good scale is needed just to find the right starting point when setting the c/w.

Hi Doug, that's an interesting additional need for a precise gauge that I'll keep in mind.

Inpepinnovations (Bob P), that little B&O gauge always worked well for me, too, up to its weight capacity. Sounds like you and I share a similar philosophy on what works well for us with our systems!

Jsaah (Joe), glad the link was helpful. It's the small things that bring out the magic that our equipment is capable of delivering, and VTA/VTF for us analog nuts is one of those critical things. If you liked the turntable tuning suggestions, you might also enjoy reading Lloyd's comments elsewhere on his web site about how to listen critically to a system; I find those to be right on the mark, too.

Regards to all,