Technics sl-d305

[Snook hansel]

If the tracking force range for the AT VS220E cartridge is 1.0-2.0g, I would probably set the tracking force to between 1.5g and 1.75g (but higher only if mis-tracking was evident), and set the AS likewise. But it also depends on the whether you have an original or aftermarket stylus - the aftermarket styli sometimes need a slightly higher tracking force.

Good information as that was going to be one of my questions. The VS220E calls for 1-2 grams. I set my force at 2 only because in reading, a lot of information on the forums says go to highest recommended tracking force. Everything sounds good. I may back everything down to 1.75 and see how that goes. I have no clue on which stylus I have. Seller told me it was newly purchased and had very little use. I'm not sure how to identify it.

 

[Crab33]

The usual wisdom is to use a tracking force in the top half of the range (but not usually the top value). The reason for this is that if the tracking force is too low, the stylus may rattle around in the groove and cause mid-tracking distortion.

If your stylus was recently bought by the previous owner, it may well be an aftermarket stylus unless they managed to get a NOS original. You can probably tell, as if it's genuine it should have the AT logo on it, like this:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN12S.html

Apparently, styli for the AT12 cartridges will fit your cartridge. So, if you wanted to upgrade the stylus in the future, you could go for an AT12 stylus with advanced profile like the above shibata. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put a link to Vinyl Engine on this forum, but there is a thread about your cartridge over there.

 

[Snook hansel]

The usual wisdom is to use a tracking force in the top half of the range (but not usually the top value). The reason for this is that if the tracking force is too low, the stylus may rattle around in the groove and cause mid-tracking distortion.

If your stylus was recently bought by the previous owner, it may well be an aftermarket stylus unless they managed to get a NOS original. You can probably tell, as if it's genuine it should have the AT logo on it, like this:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN12S.html

Apparently, styli for the AT12 cartridges will fit your cartridge. So, if you wanted to upgrade the stylus in the future, you could go for an AT12 stylus with advanced profile like the above shibata. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put a link to Vinyl Engine on this forum, but there is a thread about your cartridge over there.

Definitely no logo on the stylus. I'm gonna back everything down to the 1.5 to 1.75 range as you suggested.

 

[Snook hansel]

The usual wisdom is to use a tracking force in the top half of the range (but not usually the top value). The reason for this is that if the tracking force is too low, the stylus may rattle around in the groove and cause mid-tracking distortion.

If your stylus was recently bought by the previous owner, it may well be an aftermarket stylus unless they managed to get a NOS original. You can probably tell, as if it's genuine it should have the AT logo on it, like this:

https://www.lpgear.com/product/ATN12S.html

Apparently, styli for the AT12 cartridges will fit your cartridge. So, if you wanted to upgrade the stylus in the future, you could go for an AT12 stylus with advanced profile like the above shibata. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to put a link to Vinyl Engine on this forum, but there is a thread about your cartridge over there.

I tried 1.75 the clarity was there but seemed to have to much air. Bumped to around 1.9 tracking force and 1.8 AS. I settled on that. Keep in mind these are table settings. I need some guages to get true settings. The tone arm no longer drifts back when cueing. Very touchy settings. Cleaning the cue bar helped and setting AS completely fixed the issue. Really hard to believe just a slight overage of AS verses tracking force can make such a difference. That delicate balance is amazing to me.

 

[Crab33]

Higher up in the tracking force range, the sound balance shifts towards the bass, so you get a heavier sound with less air, although general definition/detail might be improved. Of course, a higher tracking force also means more stylus wear and possibly more record wear, although I wouldn't worry too much about that at 1.9g.