Too light a tracking force will be audible as gross distortion, particularly during loud passages. This distortion will tend to increase as the cartridge moves through the inner grooves towards the end of a record side. The distortion is caused by the inability of the stylus to stay in contact with the groove walls. I suspect too high a tracking force is inaudible. It's not good for the cartridge or the record -- it increases wear and tear on both. Remember, within the range specified by the manufacturer, there is typically a specific tracking force that sounds better. This point can change as the cartridge ages.
4 responses Add your response