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Dual Tracking Force and Stylus

F

finegrind

New Member
Total TT Newb..

I am trying to get my Dual set up and have found useful but scattered pieces of info out there.
I have a Dual CS521

Are these the correct steps:
1 - balance the tone arm
2 - determine tracking force of cartridge and stylus
3 - confirm that tracking force is correct with stylus scale (can this be done properly without a scale?)
4 - adjust anti skate. Start with this matching the tracking force from stylus manufacturer

Thanks in advance for any help/tips!
 
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Hey @finegrind ,

Hope this finds you well. These are correct.

With #2, just check the maker of the cartridge to see what the tracking force is. Which cartridge do you have? Is it 100% original (cartridge and stylus) or are you using an aftermarket stylus? The stylus is also called the needle.

With #3, it is best that you do get a scale. You can find inexpensive ones on Amazon, around $15 or so. What is showing on your arm might not be accurate.

With #4, you will typically match the tracking force and anti-skate at the same number. For example, if your tracking force is 1.5 grams, then the anti-skate should also be 1.5 grams.

This is also a great video to refer to:
 
ranf1970 said:
Hey @finegrind ,

Hope this finds you well. These are correct.

With #2, just check the maker of the cartridge to see what the tracking force is. Which cartridge do you have? Is it 100% original (cartridge and stylus) or are you using an aftermarket stylus? The stylus is also called the needle.

With #3, it is best that you do get a scale. You can find inexpensive ones on Amazon, around $15 or so. What is showing on your arm might not be accurate.

With #4, you will typically match the tracking force and anti-skate at the same number. For example, if your tracking force is 1.5 grams, then the anti-skate should also be 1.5 grams.

This is also a great video to refer to:
Click to expand...
This is great, thank you!
The paper protractor in the video, is there a good online resource other than vinylengine.com? They are not accepting new users so I am not able to access any docs on the site.

There is an Ortofon cartridge and stylus, OM 5E.

Also, the anti skate dial doesn't seem to have a set starting point. It turns past "0" in both directions.
 
Last edited:
This is the information you need for the OM5:
  • Tracking force range
    1.5-2.0 g (15-20 mN)
  • Tracking force, recommended
    1.75 g (17.5 mN)
This would also mean that the anti-skate should also be in the same area.

Do you happen to have the owner's manual for the table?
 
ranf1970 said:
This is the information you need for the OM5:
  • Tracking force range
    1.5-2.0 g (15-20 mN)
  • Tracking force, recommended
    1.75 g (17.5 mN)
This would also mean that the anti-skate should also be in the same area.

Do you happen to have the owner's manual for the table?
Click to expand...
Perfect!
Thanks again.
 
finegrind said:
The paper protractor in the video, is there a good online resource other than vinylengine.com? They are not accepting new users so I am not able to access any docs on the site.
Click to expand...

The video will only be of partial value for you, 'cause your 521 sports a dynamically balanced arm with crude and fine adjustment for the counterweight and separate dial for the spring-force-generated tracking force - hence you'd better refer to the matching user manual, which you can find for example on Lulabu's archive (there: https://www.hifi-archiv.info/Dual A...nspieler & Wechsler CS/Dual CS 521/index.html) or on archive.org (there: https://archive.org/details/dual-cs-521-manual).

Well, and if you'd like to align the cartridge according to the original Dual geometry, you'd need the original, pretty convenient alignment jig, as you can also see in the user manual. If you don't have that (anymore), you could order a remake from Dualfred(.de) - see there: https://www.dualfred.de/Tonearm/Cartridge--Stylus/Cartridge-Gauge-214048NB-en.html. However, Alfred will be on vacation from tomorrow until April, 5th - so his web shop will be closed during that time.

finegrind said:
Also, the anti skate dial doesn't seem to have a set starting point. It turns past "0" in both directions.
Click to expand...

That's perfectly normal due to the way it's implemented. Basically there's a curve disc attached to the dial, that varies the position of the lever, that holds one end of the antiskating spring, while its other end is attached to a segment of the tonearm below the chassis plate. So there are no stops between the two scales for spherical and elliptical needles and the additinal CD4 scale for Shibata and other line-contact needles - with your OM5E sportings an elliptical needle, btw.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
I guess you could make a razor blade beam balance. a Dime weighs 2.8 grams. Thats good place to start. Just remember the stylus pressure should be at the height of an LP on the TT platter.

PS. If you buy a VPI turntable there should be accessories included. An electronic pressure gauge is one of them.
 
Great tips. I have made the adjustments and it sounds great. I need to find a scale and an alignment jig to dial it in even more.

Awesome community here. Thanks so much!
 
finegrind said:
Great tips. I have made the adjustments and it sounds great. I need to find a scale and an alignment jig to dial it in even more.

Awesome community here. Thanks so much!
Click to expand...

Some tools of the trade, each around $12

Digital scale makes setting VTF much easier
AAADSFG__30177.jpg

Alignment protractor, this one is simple to use with instructions right on the front
images (14).jpeg

s-l400 (2).jpg

Jeweller's loupe to inspect the stylus for crud, damage, and aid in setup
images (13).jpeg

Anti-static brush
download (2).jpeg

Stylus cleaner, I've used this for decades, can be found on eBay
s-l400.jpg

Also you're going to need some kind of cleaning regimen whether RCM, USC, or by hand in the kitchen sink
 
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