Tracking force and Unipivot tonearms


I have a Benz Glider and the "recommended" tracking force is 1.8 to 2.2 grams. I am tracking at about 2.4 or 2.5 just to keep it in the grooves during hot peaks on some records. A audiophile friend told me it is not uncommon especially with unipivots to set tracking force at 10 percent or higher than the recommended tracking force. The cart sounds much more full, less sibilant and a more solid sound at the sacrifice of a less air at this heavier tracking force.

Has anyone else found it absolutely necessary to set tracking forces much higher than the recommended force? My friend said it will not damage the cartridge or records at 2.4 or 2.5 grams. He said I should not get hung up on recommended tracking force as all tonearms are different and that it is just the "recommneded" tracking force
tzh21y
Your tonearm as mentioned dozens of times in dozens of threads, well, it sucks.
True, much has been written about the shortcomings of the JMW9. The thing is that I never play my music loud, so I doubt that vibration is really a major issue.

I was intrigued on a more current thread where Jcarr eluded to the fact that many carts may not be designed with recommended tracking force and actual trackabilty at this tracking force. He mentioned that for many cartridge makers, the variance in recommended tracking force range is so great ex 1.7 to 2.2 grams as opposed to 1.7 to 1.8 grams. Why such a wide range of values?

Also, in this case Benz says the recommended tracking force is 1.7 to 2.2 grams. They do not say Caution: any tracking over this recommended range will damage the cartridge. At least I do not see it anywhere.

It is true that the Graham arm is a more expensive arm than the JMW 9 and probably much better. However I have a Denon 103 Cartridge which tracks perfectly through each track, no inner groove distortion and this cartridge is not a match for my tonearm as far as resonance is concerned. Tracks great though. Why?

Maybe my expectations are a little high for a table that cost 1800.00 I would think that I may not get the detail and quality of sound that is possible with a "better" arm but I would certainly expect it to track a record at this price point. This tonearm has been used on their more expensive platforms. Could it just be a cartridge issue? Maybe some just do not track as well as others? I have read threads with people having tracking issues even with the great Phantom tonearm. Maybe the recommended tracking force will according to the manufacturer "sound best" within this recommended range but may not track as well in this range? Is this possible?


Syntax, that is a good point with regards to isolation and lower tracking force. I am sure better isolation does make a huge difference. I had an HRS stand for a while and it did make a huge difference with tracking as I remember. That may be a big part of it. Never thought of isolation being that important because I do notr play my music that loud, but i guess their are always some airborne vibrations and maybe the sensitive nature of better cartridges exploits this especially at the inner grooves. Interesting observation.