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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

Showing 4 responses by jdaniel13

jdaniel13
129 posts
 
Tzh21y: congrats, but keep us informed, in the end I had good days and bad days, ultimately infuriating.
jdaniel13
129 posts
 
Tzh21y: I, too, had very infuriating tracking issues with VPI arm and Dyna cart; split-second crackle during "hot" piano and vocal outbursts. I'm currently enjoying flawless tracking and negligible inner groove distortion using a vintage AT130e cart on an extremely humble Technics DL 202 from early '80's.

So you say the Denon cart tracks with the VPI arm? That's fascinating. I'm obviously going to upgrade to a "real" TT again, but don't want to lose tracking ability again. I hope tracking is all about the cart.
jdaniel13
129 posts
 
That's unfortunate about the Denon cart's sound. I, too, miss the lower noise floor and greater dynamics of my Scoutmaster/Dyna compared to my thrift Technics but that's about it. The AT cart throws a warm, detailed and "big" sound in which I revel daily, hooked up to Vandersteen 3a sigs, LOL. The ability to just play any record with complete confidence is priceless. I wish though I had tried the AT120 cart or 150mlx on the Scoutmaster before selling the whole thing. It just seemed so counter-intuitive.
jdaniel13
129 posts
 
Great news TZ, but honestly, for tracking ability and lack of inner groove "thinning" I prefer an old '80's Technics S arm and AT 130e to the VPI 9" w/Dyna cart, even the XX2. No, not as dynamic, not the same ultra-"black" backgrounds but otherwise, insultingly adequate.
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