What to listen for when setting VTF?

My experience with the UNIverse cartridge is that a lighter VTF works best. I used a method similar to one that Dougdeacon reviewed in an earlier string. It basically is to reduce VTF until mistracking occurs then increase it slightly. for the UNIverse, it resulted in a tremendous sound stage (resolution between the tracks or instruments/vocals) and clean/crisp notes versus some smearing of the musical notes. I found that increasing vtf did smear the sound and collapse the sound stage. As stated by rushton, VTF does require changes to VTA so my intial method (when i install a cartridge) is the get the vtf close, then optimize the VTA, go back and retune the VTF and finally reoptimize the VTA. I do this once then adjust vta only for various record thickness or when my ears tells me something has changed. I have found that sometimes ambient conditions (colder/warmer in my listening room) can impact my vta settings. As for other cartridges, (my experience with the airy3 or frog) was not nearly as dramatic as the UNIverse. The frog liked a slightly heavy VTF whereas the Airy3 had a wide spot concerning vtf. The Airy3 is very sensitive to VTA but fortunately has a pretty large sweet spot. In all cases, the ear is what i use to tell me when i am there. It also takes many attempts over several days to get it right as I have several times said "its perfect" only to come back a day later at tweak and find a better setting. My experience is heavy on VTF tends to augment bass and mids and dull the highs whereas too light on vtf results in a loss of bass, smears the mids and makes the highs shrill or tinny. THe other comment about overhang is true particularly when you move vta a lot. For very small changes in VTA, i would not even check overhang. As always, my experience may not be the same as others

Nice detailed post. Thanks for answering my question about overhang.

My system, VPI Scoutmaster with Zu Denon 103 sounds the best when the VTF is 4.0g (violin without distortion)???? What am I doing wrong? Would it be wrong to leave it that high?

"My system, VPI Scoutmaster with Zu Denon 103 sounds the best when the VTF is 4.0g (violin without distortion)???? What am I doing wrong? Would it be wrong to leave it that high?"

Picture your cartridge as a plow and your vinyl record is the snow.

That is more than double the rec tracking force, I can't imagine that is very good for your records. I would think that something else is off requiring you to over compensate with the extra weight.

If it were me, I would start by leveling my platter and start set-up from scratch. That's way heavy.

Toufu,

Are you certain you're actually playing with VTF at a true 4.0g? How are you measuring? The dials on some tonearms are notoriously inaccurate. Some Shure balances were (idiotically) manufactured of magnetic steel, which exaggerates the measured downforce. Etc....

Unless you're weighing with a reasonably accurate scale, you can't be sure you're actually playing at that seemingly outlandish tracking force.

But if you are, I agree with Zenblaster. Something is very wrong if you have to play a Denon 103 at 4.0g to sound good. What happens if you play in the normally recommended range? What sounds "bad" about it?

Stop! In the name of love - for your LP's, not to mention your 103.