DIGITAL STYLUS GAUGE

Perfect accuracy in stylus gauges is not important, as the set-up is done by ear anyway. I use a couple of cheap gauges, mainly to get some idea and when adjusting to know how much I changed. Absolute value is not that important.

BTW, I find it amusing that cable measurements are the devils handiwork, but an accurate stylus gauge is critical. Never mind ...

BTW2: never heard a difference in any cable, but VTA adjustments are easy to hear. Just to put things into perspective.

The weight pan on the DS-1 is nonmagnetic and is safe for moving coil cartridges. The new model is the DS-3. 

Prices vary, but I've seen the DS-3 for just under 110.00.

From what I can gather, the DS-3 is apparently a gray market item shipped to the US. No warranty and people have reported that it's not as accurate as claimed. Yes Amazon has it listed for $108. I'll stick with the Riverstone unit. 

“Not as accurate as claimed”. What the heck does that mean? If I put a 5g weight on mine, it measures 5g. That’s my claim.

oberon, did you really mean to say that you set VTF with a scale and THEN tune it further by ear? There seems to be a consensus that one ought not to exceed the upper or lower limits for VTF as prescribed by the cartridge manufacturer. Do you check to be sure you’re within those limits, after adjusting by ear? Thanks.