Tracking Force

[richidoo]

Last year I put anew cratridge on my TT, (ATMLX150 on Technics SLQ2) aligned it pretty close, but forgot to set the tracking force. Today I noticed it was set to 2.25g. So I looked up the recommended force is .75-1.75g, balanced the arm and played with the force a bit.  Then I started wondering

Is there a common change in sound quality between the lightest and heaviest recommended settings for a given cartridge?

Minimum .75g sounded more accurate, cleaner, but less ballsy in the bass notes. Cranking it up to max 1.75g sounded thicker, bass stronger, but midrange dynamic peaks were too violent, maybe even a little distorted. I have it at 1.25 now, seems good, natural and easy sounding. Should I expect that other records will prefer different tracking force settings?

So nice to listen to vinyl, on this, Tom's Retro Weekend!

[stereofool]

The short answer is yes...just like VTA (vertical tracking angle) can make a difference. However, I never take the time to fiddle with either...I've just become too lazy, and I don't listen to vinyl enough to bother.

CD's and now computer audio have turned me into an audio 'slob'. They are just too easy to plop down in the listening chair and just flick through the music collection...without having to move a muscle...well, just the trackball finger  .

[_Scotty_]

Rich you might want to purchase this record
I used it to set up my cartridge, it eliminates a lot of guess work.
http://www.needledoctor.com/Hi-Fi-News-Test-Record
Scotty

[richidoo]

Wow that looks cool. Thanks Scotty

I welcome any subjective opinions about the difference between tracking heavy and light within the recommended range. Are the differences similar among all cartridges? Or is each cartridge/table a try it and see thing to taste? Thanks

[_Scotty_]

In the old days when Vinyl was King it was known that phono cartridges were generators of an electrical signal 
with distortion characteristics that were dependent on correct centering of the generator element which is controlled by the applied tracking force. When CBS test records were available the tracking force could be dialed in along with the VTA with the test record to produce the lowest distortion during operation. The best we can do now is adjust the VTA and tracking force such that the lowest distortion possible is heard when tracing the highest groove modulation on the available test record. If you have noticed,vinyl reviewers no longer verify that a phono cartridge meets it frequency response specs,channel separation specs or any other specs related to the physical and electrical characteristics of the phono cartridge which actually affect how well the cartridge works and how it will sound in your system.  Reviewers no longer keep phono cartridge manufacturers honest by catching them when their products fail to meet published specifications.
Oh well,that's progress for you.
Scotty

[richidoo]

No technical accountability allows prices to soar too, with nothing but the reviewers opinion to back it up.

Well, adjusting tracking force to minimize distortion makes sense. But like you said, a test record is necessary with known signal, or do the best you can by ear.

[tmazz]

Rich,

Just think about the physics a little bit. Bass note produce the widest groove excursion and are therefor the hardest to track. It would not be surprising that the heaviest setting produces the best bass as it would force the tip down into the grooves and "hug" them the best. on the other hand while HF grooves don't then to move as far the do change direction quick and would benefit from the lower inertia that a lighter tracking force would provide. So from a conceptual point of view I would have expected you to hear exactly what you experienced with your experimentation. I am also not surprised that you found the best balance at a tracking force somewhat close to the middle of the recommended range. That is where I usually start when I have no other recommendations. Although I must admit that I rarely have ever had to experiment. I have bought virtually all of my cartridges (as well as my TT) from my friend Steve's shop (AudioVisions, in West Babylon, NY). Steve and his late partner Nick would mount tons of cartridges and get a feel for what worked with each one through experimentation and experience. This is one of the places where I always found it a great benefit to have a good relationship with a brick and mortar high end dealer (something that is becoming harder and harder to do as the years roll by.) Unfortunately Steve decided to retire and close the shop about a year and a half ago (a great loss to the Long Island audiophile community IMO) so when it comes to my next cartridge I think I will be on my own. Not that I couldn't do it myself, it is really just a matter of time and patience, but it was always nice to have a credible source who could tell you "just set it for XXX and it will be fine."

PS BTW, even though I named it, Retro weekend was a big bust for me. My wife fell down the stairs and broke her leg and with all of the running back and forth to the hospital I haven't had time to put on a single record since I made the post.

The best laid plans of mice and men.........

Tom

[Bigfish8]

PS BTW, even though I named it, Retro weekend was a big bust for me. My wife fell down the stairs and broke her leg and with all of the running back and forth to the hospital I haven't had time to put on a single record since I made the post.

Tom:

I hope your wife is okay.  Falling down stairs is scary!

Good Luck,

Ken

[richidoo]

Sorry about her fall. I hope she is resting comfortably now. Thanks for taking valuable time to help me visualize better.
Rich

[richidoo]

OK so how about anti-skate?  Where do I set that?  I didn't see any mention of recommended spec in the cart manual, so I assume it should be set to minimize any lateral pressure on the needle. Thus centering the image. Am I on the right track [pun?]

If the anti skate force is independent of cartridge then what factors are changeable with the arm/TT to require antiskate to be adjustable? Maybe to do with the changing relative angle of the need to the groove across the swing?  Thanks!
Rich

[bacobits]

The anti skate used to be standard set at what the tracking force was. That is, 2 grams VTF, then  2 grams anti skate. Now most of the scales on the Anti skate are non existent or inacurate unless it is marked at all for 1 and 2 grams. My Rega RB700 is. What you have to do is definitely set it by ear. My VTF is 1.9 grams here and my Anti skate is set by ear near the 1 gram mark.

Yes, at different parts on the album anti skate may vary, but it will vary on groove velocity and album too. So, it is all an average setting across the album. You can tame inner-groove distortion with this setting along with azimuth. You get the idea.

You can, and will drive yourself nuts. 

D

[richidoo]

Bigfish is supposed to hit me over the head with a hammer if I start to disappear down the rabbit hole. But this vinyl is sounding mighty fine

I found a funny DJ youtube about how to set the antiskate, for 100% noob (me). Note him picking his ear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIBtZR941Yw

I'll try to hear the best setting.
Thanks Den. See you tomorrow, I hope

[richidoo]

.75 anti skate and 1.25 vtf seems to be the best. Thanks everyone for the help!

Backing off the skate from 1.5 to .75g made the high frequency stuff sizzle and shimmer. It was pretty obvious improvement, even on single driver speakers. Bass seems more confident too. A half a gram makes such a big difference!  But that's a teeny tiny little needle. (twss)

Rich

[_Scotty_]

After purchasing the High-Fi News and Record Review test record you would set the anti-skate force based on results of your listening tests using bands six through nine on side one. There really is no substitute for using this test record or one like it to properly set up your turntable. Just trying to hear the changes in distortion that result  from changing the anti-skate setting while playing a conventional record will not guarantee an accurate application of anti-skating force. The correct application of anti-skating force is critical if you expect your phono cartridge to track the more difficult passages on your records with the lowest distortion and least record wear possible.
Scotty

[richidoo]

Might just have to try that. Thanks!
Rich