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Tracking Force - Where to set it?

So a few weeks back I posted regarding distortion I was getting out of my right channel (Rega p25 w/ shure v15 xyz). I got a lot of help, much appreciated. It turned out that my real problem was not with the cartridge or table, but that I had followed Shure's recommendation to set tracking at 1-1/2 grams! Turns out that the bottoming-out and distortion I was hearing was cured by turning the tracking force up to about 1.75 to 2-1/4 grams, depending on the record.

The question now is, (1) is there an optimal tracking force, and (2) will force as high as 2-2.5 grams damage the stylus or vinyl?
dogrange
maxgain
526 posts
 
Doug, which V15? is it the typeVxMR? Or another version? Yes there are almost always better cartridges out there no matter how much money you just spent.
sean
6,231 posts
 
Bear: After re-thinking your comments, they make perfect sense. Your method would be akin to setting "ride height" on a vehicle. If the suspension was "perfectly centered", it could make large excursions in either direction without fear of "bottoming out" or going into compression. This also keeps the coils or armature somewhat centered in the magnetic field. This should result in increased dynamic range, higher s/n ratios and slightly higher output levels. That is, if the cartridge is actually designed correctly to begin with.

The one drawback to this is that one might run into added stress on the cantilever and cartridge suspsenion, not to mention that the tracking force would probably be slightly higher than what we think we can get away with. I don't really see that as being a problem though so long as the cartridge / arm are properly aligned and the stylus is in good shape. Having "clean" records is mandatory if you want the best in performance and want them to last, regardless of the tracking force being used.

THANK YOU for opening my eyes. Hopefully, my ears will agree with you : ) Sean
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maxgain
526 posts
 
The final judgement always needs to be done by ear. Too much tracking force will close down the sound much like improper VTA, from my experience. The cartridge sould let you know if everything is working well by the sound.Bears idea seems like a good place to start from.Turntables are a tweekers dream come true!
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