2. analog
  3. 1331487186

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

Showing 1 response by glai

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.
More to discover