Digital stylus gauge

[Flanders]

Why worry? The tracking force needs of each cartridge will vary, even of the same model! Then the ambient temperature variations have an effect, as does the age of the cartridge. Nothing is exact. If the cartridge is tracking and sounding OK, I'd say there's little to be concerned with.

I hadn't considered those variables Geoff, makes perfect sense though. Good to know the gauge is accurate as a starting point and then use my ears from there. The trouble is, we could apply the same variables to our ears as well! Add a few beers to the mix and I may as well be using the kitchen scales!

[topoxforddoc]

You might like to read this article on tracking force, the type of tonearm and the influence of measuring the VTF at a different height to the record.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/in_balance_e.html

[daytona600]

as used a jesus to fit his Spu

[struth]

as used a jesus to fit his Spu

Got one of those too... its pretty good and I used it faithfully till I got the digital one a couple of years ago; maybe less.

[martinjohn308]

I think if you go on the www.audioorigami.co.uk web page he has a digital stylus gauge for £20.00 + £3.00 p & p.

Regards,

Martin

[Barry]

You might like to read this article on tracking force, the type of tonearm and the influence of measuring the VTF at a different height to the record.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/in_balance_e.html

The overestimate factor is simply 1/cos(h/L), where h is the height error (or the difference between the height of the scale's measuring platform and the thickness of the LP) and L is the effective arm length.

So for a 9" arm and a set of jeweller's scales with a thickness of say 0.25", the error is 1.000386. Thus a measured 2g VTF will actually be 2.001g. This is likely to be less than the accuracy of the scales themselves (at best to within +/- 0.01g), so is not worth worrying about.

And if you are going to worry about it, what happens if you change the VTA, or for that matter, play heavy (and thus thicker) LPs?

[cuddles]

I've just got one of these but I can't get it to work. I cleaned the sticky stuff off the batteries but nada. Fair play to the seller though - gave me a refund with no questions asked.

Hi There
I use one similar to this and it's given me no problems.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Ca...sAAOSwgyxWWd7j

This was the first link showing on a search so there might be cheaper versions.
When it sits on the platter its just the right height.

Cheers,
Alistair

[Floyddroid]

+2

yep I have the same, reliable.