2. analog
  3. 1190167359

Cartridges & Sensitivity to VTF

Cartridges & Sensitivity to VTF

Throughout the years of my involvement with vinyl. I’m beginning to wonder if some of these cartridges are more sensitive to Vertical Tracking Force than others. I only having direct experience, in my home, with the Benz L2 Wood and the Lyra Skala, I don’t have the experience to form much personal experience. I hope to get a general understanding which cartridges are more sensitive to VTF variations when compared to others.

For those of you with your Cartridges…

Could you provide some insight on the VTF range and sensitivity of your cartridges?

Which cartridges you have owned that are very sensitive to (0.0x grams)?

Which cartridges you have owned that are very sensitive to (0.00x grams)?

Care to share any other observations?

Thanks,
Dre
dre_j
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
The "overall" system has to be capable of resolving the "very subtle" aspects of some of the stuff found on the best pressings.It is NOT only the cartridge.
Line noise,amongst other factors can cover up differences normally heard in the 1 to 2 hundredths of a gm increments from the better cartridges.Cables,room acoustics,noisey neighbors,or family noise around the listening room,to name some factors.Just because some cartridges seem to be "less" sensitive to very slight VTF settings,does NOT mean that "is" the case.
IMO,the better resolving the overall system,the more critical the VTF becomes.This doesn't mean we should get too nuts about exactitude.Only there are other factors that influence such things.Mostly system dependent,but......
I,myself,will be killing a neighbor's dog,another neighbor's motor cycle,and sawing off another neighbor's diving board(noisey bastards when diving from high above,by a bunch of teens showing off)in the upcoming weeks.The owl,looking for a mate,in my backyard is exempt,because he "took out" the squirrel family who kept jumping on my roof last spring. -:)
Hope this made some sense.
dre_j OP
159 posts
 
Sirspeedy,

Your point is well taken. For me, this is an exercise in understanding more than absolutes. I understand that this is all system dependent and I thank you for the comments.

Assuming the overall system is capable of resolving the differences, would you care to share your thoughts on how sensitive the cartridges you have experience with are to VTF changes?

Thanks,
Dre
oilmanmojo
472 posts
 
My experience with the ZYX airy 3 is similar to others in that it responds to small changes in VTF and VTA. I have a hard time separating the tweaks of VTF and VTA because if I make a small move in VTF, i unvariably will tweak VTA afterwards to find the best sound to my ears. I must admit my system is not a high performance system compared to others but i have really learned to appreciate the value of slight adjustments.
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
Dre j,I have only gotten experience in this critical domain over the last eight to ten years.Having been in the hobby for 35 years,I'd say the first twenty or so,was my "know nothing" era.
My last ten years have been spent with Tranny's.They are ALL sensitive to VTF.My friend Sid has had different Lyra designs(the Latest being the Titan,and they,TOO,have been just as sensitive.
I hope this helps a bit.There are many more members of this forum who have wider experience than me.It all depends on "when" they got "hip" to all these differences.Experience comes with time,and hands on(no dealer dependancy). During my ten years with various Koetsus I was "clueless".
Good luck.
txp1
148 posts
 
Dre j,

I'm currently tracking the Ruby 3 at 1.99 grams, and very, very slight tail up VTA. I plan to try a lower VTF because one of the guys at VA has a Ruby 3 and posted that 1.85 grams with a slight tail drag worked well for him. I've never used a tail down VTA on any cartridge, so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I've been letting my new power conditioner break-in prior to making any more VTF/VFA changes.
More to discover