Cartridge Force - Is a Little 'Over-Force' Okay?

It is hard to recommend using too much VTF on any cartridge. Do you have an accurate tracking force gauge? Too much VTF may rob you of some of the finesse of the cartridge, high frequency extension and "air". That being said, Sumiko lists this MM cart's recommended VTF as 1.8 - 2.2. So you are not really that far off. No damage to your vinyl is likely at this force. Too bad the cover is not compatible with an appropriately set up cartridge/arm.

To much VTF may collapse the cantilever sooner than later. You should buy a good VTF Guage on Amazon for around $30 to verify.

I agree that it's best to confirm VTF with a good gauge, but I do not think it is a good idea to exceed the manufacturers VTF spec. The problem is really the dust cover, not the counterweight.

Dear @brian_stabinger  : Bad idea that 2.7gr. on VTF. A cartridge design every parameter in the cartridge operation was took in count by the designer including VTF to design the cartridge suspension/compliance and its warranty that the cartridge should performs fine inside its parametrs and for many hours to come.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.

Run at the high end of the spec but if you have a light tonearm you can dial in a little more but best to stay within the spec.

Weren’t we always told a little too much is far better than too little?

Mistracking due to insufficient tracking weight is a big no no.

However in this case, surely you could just put some tiny rubber spacers between the plinth and the back of the lid as a solution?

Thanks for all the input. Yes, I do have a 'good' gauge, that measures to 1/100g, hence I'm certain of the VTF. 

By the sounds of it, it's probably best to stay within the mfg recommended specification. That's understandable. I suppose the next step might be to get the Dremmel, and cut a 'doggy door' in the back of the lid. Somewhat defeats the idea of a dust cover, but it's still better than nothing.

Or time for a new turntable.

Can you fashion a weight to add to the counterweight so that it balances the arm correctly while not as far from the pivot?  I know someone who sort of did this with what amounts to a heavy washer glued to the counterweight.  He did this in order to mount a very heavy cartridge on an arm not meant for such a cartridge.

I agree with Raul. 2.7 g is significantly more VTF than the stated upper limit of 2.2 g for your cartridge. That is not a trivial difference, and it will at least alter the relationship between the transducing elements of the cartridge and not for the better. At worst of course you will eventually damage your suspension.

2.7g is about 40% over recommended vtf. 
I’d dial it down. You will lose high frequency extension. 

larryi has given you the best answer to your issue. Make the counter weight heavier, it will need to be closer to the pivot to get the correct VTF.

BillWojo

Get some lead tape to add weight to the counterweight. It is available in the golf section of sporting goods stores.

Tennis equipment stores will have lead tape as well.

Shouldn't need much.

@brian_stabinger 

There are optional counterweights for your TT - see here

https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk/Counterweight-Chart

You can weigh your counterweight to check what you currently have, and might need from the chart.

Alternately you can add some weight as suggested above to get the counterweight closer to the pivot - thats actually a good thing for sound quality ( having the cw closer to pivot.

+1 @larryi   my idea too.  Can find suitable small piece of metal and stick with Blutack.

In the old days we used to just tape a penny to the headshell and call it good.

@clearthinker, absolutely, it is called a "tape weight" for balancing automotive wheels. Any auto shop has them. He can place them on the bottom side of the counter weight were they will be hard to see.

It's probably easier just to make some small spacers to hold the lid up slightly when not playing records. The deck might well sound better with the lid open when you are actually listening to music.  I would not track a cartridge at close to 25% over the manufacturer's recommended downforce.

@mijostyn   I think that may be a bit gross for this application; I recall they cut them in 1g and 2g pieces.  But they can be cut down easily with a hacksaw or even a blunt knife as they are made of lead..

@clearthinker, not at all. Modern tape weights are not bad looking. In the States you can no longer get lead weights. They are all made of steel now except a product from 3M which comes as a flexible ribbon they sell in rolls. You cut the weights to size. There is a measuring ruler that tells you how much to cut, brilliant product. Cutting the steel weights is best done with a cutting wheel on a Dremel tool. They come in 1/4 OZ increments. One weight should do it fine. One inch of 3M's ribbon would be even better. @brian_stabinger , I balance my own wheels and have a roll of the 3M wheel weight ribbon. I can mail you an inch if you like. Just remove the backing, clean the counterweight off with alcohol and stick the tape on the periphery. You can order it online but I'm not sure what you are going to do with 300 feet of the stuff. You can look but I do not think anyone sells small amounts.

IMHO a bit too high. If the recommendation is 2gm, you will be 35% over the max. I would personally be happier with 5-10%. I run mine at .1gm over recommended. Its a Sumiko Blackbird and it got rid of guitar distortion on one track on one album - "It Doesn't Matter" - Spyro Gyra 'Morning Dance' album. No issues on any other of my albums except this one guitar solo. But it worked and no side effects I can hear. Good luck.

IMHO a bit too high. If the recommendation is 2gm, you will be 35% over the max. I would personally be happier with 5-10%. I run mine at .1gm over recommended. Its a Sumiko Blackbird and it got rid of guitar distortion on one track on one album - "It Doesn't Matter" - Spyro Gyra 'Morning Dance' album. No issues on any other of my albums except this one guitar solo. But it worked and no side effects I can hear. Good luck.

A 35% increase seems like a lot to me

Thanks for the direction @dover ! The is certainly the elegant way to go. Now just to wait for stock to return.

In the meantime, the weight-tape-near-the-pivot seems logical enough. Perhaps a visit to the local golf/tennis shoppe is in-order.

All that aside, yes, probably best to keep things within the spec, if at all possible. And I like the above better than cutting into acrylic. 

If you go above or below the recommended VTF, the coils/iron/magnets may not be aligned properly to the magnetic circuit, which could result in unpredictable sonic consequences.

2.7 grams VTF is WAY too heavy for a 2.0+/- VTF cartridge!

Youd be better off using a washer to add weight to your counterweight; just buy one whose center hole is close in size to your stub. Then your dust cover will fit, and you’ll be able to dial in 1.8-2.2 grams VTF and get the best sound from your cartridge. Also, use headphones to listen and find the optimum VTF setting. Set it light (1.5 grams) and listen; you’ll hear a gritty distortion. Then gradually increase by 0.2 grams until you don’t hear any distortion. Then *maybe* increase it by 0.1 gram. I’ve been doing this a long time, 131 carts and 18 TTs.

Thanks @mijostyn 

We don't have all that here in Blighty, not even before the COVID and Ukraine.

But I have recently had the the same old lead 1g weights put on a sportscar.

Yeah 1/4 oz will be more than enough - 7g.  So there's some cutting to do!

Thanks again.