Tracking force on Audio Technica 120Eb

Personally, as a matter of fact, I'd void setting up any cartridge any lighter than 1.7g -- so here's my recommended setting. It also depends on your tonearm that you did not mention which is also part of VTF equation despite of manufacturer recommended setting.

Yep. I confirm my statement. 
Your arm will benefit from even more weight I'd say over 1.8..
I'd recommend to try 1.8...2g range.

First of all, your arm is medium mass which benefits more from cartriges with heavier tracking force than 1.4g. This can be compensated if the cartridge tracking force even slightly more increased from recommended settings. Try to increase to let's say 1.9 or 2g and see if there's difference.
I had similar deck set up with ADC type III cartridge that has 1.0...1.5g tracking weight that I had to set up to at least 1.8g to properly track record.
Tonearm is always part of equation.

Just finished setting up Pioneer 117 similar to yours with AT120eb same cartridge. Found it tracks best at 1.75g.

Not only listening but also looking the way the cartridge tracks. You need to get that "button" where the traction isn't in exchange of sound.
I often may play warped record and see how stable it performs. Solo piano usually helps to hear various imperfections of playback. I test with inexpensive classical Denon series of recordings. I also use Super Analogue japanese pressings with piano music played by Ashkenazy, Cliburn... 

Sunnyjim,
Sounds more like VTA setting now needs to go higher according to your description. 
My best experience with budget HOMC was Goldring Eroica 2.5mV.
I was able to purchase it back 10 years ago $225 new in box, now OMFG, it's almost $1k. I've always been hunter of dollar per value and this cartridge at so lo price back than was equivalent to Mike Tyson who was able to easily KO substantially larger and bigger opponents in his prime :-).
Now price went sky-rocketing up -- no more Mr Nice guy, but still you may try to hunt for NOS one.