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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
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
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.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
The motto for VPI owners :-)

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life"
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
Monty Python. lol
jdaniel13
129 posts
 
Tzh21y: I, too, had very infuriating tracking issues with VPI arm and Dyna cart; split-second crackle during "hot" piano and vocal outbursts. I'm currently enjoying flawless tracking and negligible inner groove distortion using a vintage AT130e cart on an extremely humble Technics DL 202 from early '80's.

So you say the Denon cart tracks with the VPI arm? That's fascinating. I'm obviously going to upgrade to a "real" TT again, but don't want to lose tracking ability again. I hope tracking is all about the cart.
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
Difficult to be sure without being on site but change in VTF will change SRA at the same VTA setting. It may be worth while to adjust for a lower VTA setting and try 2.2g again.

You may have set the VTA too high and required a increased VTF to maintain proper SRA. This is done at the expense of misaligning the coil.

If your VTF gauge is thicker than the record, it will also measure a slightly higher VTF than actual VTF at the record surface.
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