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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
maczurak
28 posts
 
From my experience, there is a big difference in optimization ease between the 9” standard and signature tonearms regardless of whether “you know what you are doing” or are still learning. The non-signature tonearm does not have the set screw in the rear of the tonearm wand. The throwing darts analogy is how I felt after finally getting the standard arm configured. If the drill press wasn’t buried behind some boxes at the time, I would have tapped a screw into the counter weight in order to decouple VTF and azimuth adjustments. When talking with VPI, I was told the signature arm has a screw in the rear of the tonearm wand. Within the week, I upgraded to the signature tonearm. Not sure why they (continue to?) make the 9” standard arm without the set screw.

Stringreen: Remove the counter weight from the tonearm wand. Replace the weight and optimize the settings WITHOUT using the set screw in the rear of the tonearm wand. This is what is would be like setting up the 9” standard tonearm. If you try this, please post your results as I would be interested knowing how many darts you threw before hitting a bull’s-eye.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
I will not touch the counterweight on the JMW 9 Standard at this point. I even frown when I want to change the VTA. Yes, there is a difference in a Zeta quality arm and the JMW 9 Standard. It is not even close. The Zeta is great. The soundstage, images and bass are so solid and dynamics are killer. Sounds more like real music to these ears for sure. Sometimes I wonder if the sound is inherently more solid with a gimbal arm vs. a unipivot. Not sure about this as I have not heard enough arms but I know the Phantom is a unipivot and I am told the images are very solid with this arm. Two things I do not like with the JMW 9 standard design is the set screw to adjust VTA. It seems like there is too much play in the threads and I do not like the antiskate. I do not use it at all.

JDainiel, that is pretty sobering but I do not doubt it.

I think I will get a Fozgometer. I think it is a necessity for me.
tzh21y OP
1,654 posts
 
Actually the arm I was referring to is a Mission Mechanic
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