How Do I Set VTF – Vertical Tracking Force?

Peter — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 17:35:06 +0000

SRA & VTF

As far as vertical tracking force (VTF), always start with the recommended vertical tracking force from the manufacturer for a particular make and model of cartridge. It may be possible to lower it after we have repaired or rebuilt your cartridge, but there are so many factors, including variations in tone arm design and condition, that we urge our customers to invest in a test record that will aid them in finding the correct VTF. Too low a VTF will damage both record and stylus, and too high will cause too much wear.

The proper amount of VTF will vary from cartridge to cartridge, EVEN within a single model, due to manufacturing tolerances. One who plays loudly recorded music will need a bit more, and visa-versa.

When you are adjusting your VTF, if you use a test record, adjust the antiskating beforehand as described below, and then fine tune the VTF to allow no audible distortion with a test record with a tone recorded at 12dB over 0 dB modulation.

Refers to

Hyperion

Paua mk II

The Voice

Zephyr MK III

Boheme

Carmen mk II

Otello

Irox Blue

Mezzo

Zephyr MIMC ☆

Topic Tags

cartridge installation

cartridge tracking force

Product or Service Category

Cartridges

Do the Strain Gauge systems require more care in setup than a standard cartridge?

Peter — Thu, 29 May 2014 17:27:30 +0000

The answer is Yes, and No.

Strain Gauge cartridges are "displacement" cartridges, and as a result, are more sensitive to ANTI-SKATING adjustments than magnetic designs. Why??

The explanation is that if there is improper antiskating force on a magnetic design, it will still perform well in terms of the generator inside of the cartridge. This is not true of a cartridge that does not respond to how fast the stylus moves (velocity sensitive magnetic designs) but to displacement, and how "neutral" the average lateral position of the cantilever is. If such a cartridge has its cantilever displaced off to one side due to skating forces, the channel balance will be shifted, and potentially, loud passages (transients) may also be distorted.

Frank Schroeder, one of audio's most valued designers, tone arm builders and engineers, explained years ago that many records with antiskating tracks were designed incorrectly. Many have tracks that are recorded at 80% modulation, or even higher, and ask that you adjust antiskating to get zero audible distortion, or to even out the distortion on both channels.

Since the ever changing amount of antiskating required is dependent on the loudness of a given passage, this type of recorded track for adjustment assumes that the music you will be listening to is always at a loud level. Not too much music does this, given the exceptions of heavy metal and some others. Most music is at 30-40% modulation or volume on average with occasional peaks and quiet passages.

Frank suggests a method for adjusting antiskating that requires no special record, and one that works for any stylus of stylus shape or force. He asks that if you set the stylus down at the end of the record, not IN the run-out groove but between them, and adjust the antiskating so that the arm moves very slowly inwards. This is a good average adjustment that works very well.

Other than that, the Strain Gauge is no different for set up accuracy than other cartridges. In one sense it is actually easier, as the azimuth can be set up using a flashlight method described in the owners manual .