Tracking Force To Damage Vinyl

The research showed that spherical styli with their limited contact to the record groove walls produced the least damage to records under lighter tracking forces.

Tracking force to damage vinyl.

If the cartridge stylus manufacturer recommends a tracking force range from 2 grams to 5 grams try setting it around 2 5 or 3 grams and do a listening test. Physical vinyl ploughing damage is a risk from excessive tracking forces. The reason the tracking force is essential for your music collection is the weight on your records. Alexandrovieh showed how a shibata tipped line contact stylus is capable of creating a unique type of damage if the tip itself is damaged.

When you set the tracking force too high it puts extra weight on your records. You re likely to hear more distortion and in some cases it can damage the record. Yes hi force wears the record more rapidly but too low will damage thegrooves in a profound way. Too much tracking force is especially risky while using a worn stylus which can create unnatural stylus tip edges and scour the surface of the groove.

Note that the at3600l moving magnet s stylus has a recommended tracking force between 2 5 to 3 5 grams. Using the same technique mr. If the weight of the stylus on the record is too light you have a chance that the force from the grooves will throw the cartridge up and the needle will skate across the record. When too low vtf is set the stylus is the accellerating between grooves and striking the oncoming surface at greatly increased velocity and pressure.

If you apply too much tracking force you will hear distortion a reduction in detail and booming bass. Ive read that the stylus presses on the vinyl at about 40k psi. Slamming into them so to speak. This can shorten the lifespan of the stylus specifically the tip cantilever and suspension but also accelerate groove damage to the records.

This will lead to the music skipping and potentially scratching the vinyl. You possibly did a little damage here and there to some records but maybe not. Too little tracking force is a formula for severe vinyl damage as this will lead to severe mistracking. The stylus tracking force control will indicate the weight applied to the vinyl groove.

That may result in wearing down your records or damaging the records from the excess drag. This is why we need to optimise the force for the best sound quality and to protect your vinyl. Remember setting the tracking force too high will wear out your vinyl faster.