Cartridges & Sensitivity to VTF


Cartridges & Sensitivity to VTF

Throughout the years of my involvement with vinyl. I’m beginning to wonder if some of these cartridges are more sensitive to Vertical Tracking Force than others. I only having direct experience, in my home, with the Benz L2 Wood and the Lyra Skala, I don’t have the experience to form much personal experience. I hope to get a general understanding which cartridges are more sensitive to VTF variations when compared to others.

For those of you with your Cartridges…

Could you provide some insight on the VTF range and sensitivity of your cartridges?

Which cartridges you have owned that are very sensitive to (0.0x grams)?

Which cartridges you have owned that are very sensitive to (0.00x grams)?

Care to share any other observations?

Thanks,
Dre
dre_j

Showing 6 responses by dre_j

I'd really like to hear from some ZYX, Lyra, Benz, and Dynavector Owners on this issue.

For myself, I've found the Skala to be well behaved within it's range (1.65 to 1.75 grams VTF) I currently run the cartridge @ 1.68 Grams. I don't think the differences are readily apparent within this range of VTF. I'd have to go through the exercise again because nothing sticks out from memory on this one. Of course, others that own this cartridge my have different experiences. This is why I'm hoping to get many responses to this thread in order to gain more insight from your experiences.

Thanks,
Dre
Dan,

Thanks for the feedback on the XV-1s. I've had some time listening to that cartridge in a friends system and it sounds great. his system produces a very nice, whole, and altogether sound. Where are you currently tracking on VTF?

Dre
Txp1,

Where are you currently tracking on VTF?

The Benz feedback is interesting. I have and L2 wood that's in the case not being used since I got the Skala. A friend has a Ruby 3 that I mounted for him but we didn't get to do any fine tuning that night. Since then he has played with a couple VTF/VTA changes although I haven't really listened to the table since then for any length of time. I'll be sure to let him know that there are a few things he can try in order to potentially get more out of his cartridge.

I've also heard the Glider on other systems and the comments on the Glider seems to align with what I had noticed on that particular system I had listened to.

I have and Incognito modified RB-250 with the Michell Tecnoweight. For a Rega style arm user, the Technoweight makes VTF adjustments really easy. My currently mounted arm can still give me that resolution of adjustment but it's not as easy.

Dre
Doug,

Is this adjustment of 0.02 grams consistent across the cartridge manufactures suggested tracking range? For example the Airy3 (I didn't find the specs for the UNIverse) appears to be 1.7 - 2.5 grams which is a pretty large range. If not, how do you find the range of sensitivity for the cartridge that is around the 0.02 gram audible region for changes?

Thanks,
Dre
Sirspeedy,

Your point is well taken. For me, this is an exercise in understanding more than absolutes. I understand that this is all system dependent and I thank you for the comments.

Assuming the overall system is capable of resolving the differences, would you care to share your thoughts on how sensitive the cartridges you have experience with are to VTF changes?

Thanks,
Dre
Txp1,

Thanks for the update. I'll be interested in your findings when you give the Ruby 3 a try at 1.85 grams and try the tail down.

Dre