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setting tracking force by ear?

J

japes

New Member
I have an MCS6604 (manufactured by Technics for JCPenney in the 80s, equivalent of the SL-Q200 for the most part). I'm trying to set the tracking force, as the counterweight recently got messed with and I've noticed a sharp decline in sound quality. Unfortunately, there's no calibrating knob on the counterweight for these TTs, as they were set at the factory. There's a little thing on the TT that shows how it was calibrated: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nxIAAOSwU ... -l1600.jpg

I don't have a gauge and really would prefer not to spend the time waiting + money to get one. I see that these are adjustable by ear, and I do have pretty good ears - I produce music.

My question is - can I tune this thing *entirely* by ear? Alternatively, is there a guide somewhere (I can't find one) that shows what a calibration knob would look like for one of these (e.g. to get to 1.5g, turn the knob halfway)?
 
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japes said:
I have an MCS6604 (manufactured by Technics for JCPenney in the 80s, equivalent of the SL-Q200 for the most part). I'm trying to set the tracking force, as the counterweight recently got messed with and I've noticed a sharp decline in sound quality. Unfortunately, there's no calibrating knob on the counterweight for these TTs, as they were set at the factory. There's a little thing on the TT that shows how it was calibrated: http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/nxIAAOSwU ... -l1600.jpg

I don't have a gauge and really would prefer not to spend the time waiting + money to get one. I see that these are adjustable by ear, and I do have pretty good ears - I produce music.

My question is - can I tune this thing *entirely* by ear? Alternatively, is there a guide somewhere (I can't find one) that shows what a calibration knob would look like for one of these (e.g. to get to 1.5g, turn the knob halfway)?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the AK turn table forum.

The T4P cartridge tracking force were usually set at the factory.

There is no further adjustments provided on most turn tables of that type.

Unable to view image in your link. :no:

Try and find a gram scale locally to confirm your tacking force.

One like this:http://www.amazon.com/0-01g-100g-Di...7690623&sr=8-39&keywords=digital+pocket+scale
 
Balance the tonearm and the turn the cw 1/3 turn more, hoping that one full turn is 3 grams. My Pioneer cw is 1 turn + 3 g
 
It's not the kind of thing I would have much confidence in. That is based on experience with the "pseudo-grooved" (grooved rubber washer in the counterweight, but no grooves on the tonearm tube) setup on my Marantz TT-15. What I thought was 1.7 by the dial turned out to be 1.1 on the scale that I bought, like the one in the link or similar. I discovered it was wrong by getting bad mis-tracking on a 45 rpm LP. Getting a scale is good advice, imo.
 
It's a T4P turntable. According to the manual, available at vinyl engine, tracking force is preset at 1.25g but can be increased to 1.5g or decreased to 1.0g.
If the counterweight is damaged, then you have a major problem.
 
I must admit I never use any scale or counterweight to set VTF. I always and only look at the needle so it sits as it should. I´m not saying I am proposing this VTF setting, but it´s very much possible to do.
 
grottyash said:
That's interesting - I assume you need a loupe or magnifying glass or something to be certain?
Click to expand...

Yes a loupe, you get rather experienced after some time how it should look like. The reason is that stylus tolerances are very large as a whole, and VTF isn´t a good indicator of correct RA.
 
I think I might give that a try. Thanks for the info, Gusten.

Back to the OP, the more I think about it, given the tiny range of VTF available, the problem might be elsewhere. What is the exact problem with the counterweight?
 
It's like increasing or decreasing your tire pressure without a gauge. This leaves you vulnerable to groove damage & stylus damage.
 
As several have said, get an inexpensive digital mini-scale. This isn't something you want to "guess" at. VTF is important, so its worth a few bucks to get it set back to were is should be.
 
The mini digital scales have strong unsolicited support from successful drug dealers. Weight is as important to them as it is for audiophiles.
 
I could never set it by ear. Easier to hear to if it's way too light, but too heavy????

Time and money should not be a factor - If you have Amazon Prime you can get the Shure scale for $30 shipped to you in two days.

I think there are some digital scales for less but I like the Shure.
 
I set VTF with a scale, but always do the last fine adjustment by ear as every arm/cart combination can work out a little differently.
 
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