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VTF on a Dynavector 10x5

I just had a Dynavector 10x5 installed on my VPI Scout by a dealer. When I got home I just checked the VTF on my Shure guage and I'm coming up with a reading of 2.5 grams. Dynavector says it should be between 1.8 and 2.2 grams.

Should I worry about the tracking force or just leave it alone?

So far, it sounds great. Though the cantilever does appear slightly not perfectly straight, I haven't heard any distortion, so I assume the dealer allowed for this when he set it up.
sinisterporpoise68
6 responses Add your response
kurt_tank
1,188 posts
 
I suggest you change it to comply with the Manufacturer's recommendation. If it sounds the same or better, great. If it sounds worse, change it back.

IMHO, the less VTF the better, (as long as you have the sonics at their peak performance of course).

Good Luck!
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
In most tonearms that cartridge performs best between 2.1g and 2.2g IMO.

I wouldn't recommend going over as coil damage may result; besides, properly aligned there is no reason to exceed 2.2g.

Don't forget, most vinyl damage is the result of insufficient, not excessive, VTF.

Dealer disclaimer.
sinisterporpoise68 OP
63 posts
 
Thank you both. I just set it to 2.1 grams. No idea why this guy would have set it so high.
kurt_tank
1,188 posts
 
No problem.

It is interesting (coincidence maybe?) that quite a few professional reviewers of my cartridge, the Dynavector XV-1S, have also recommended that the VTF be set higher (2.5-2.8 grams) than the Manufacturer's recommendations (1.8 - 2.2 grams) as well. I ignored them, and set it close to 2 grams. (I wonder if it is somehow linked to Dynavector cartridges?)

Enjoy the music and Merry Christmas!
frank_sm
109 posts
 
What scale did your dealer use? The Shure gauge is not dead on accurate, in fact I know the one I own (which I use as a backup) is off by almost 0.3 grams.
I also own a Winds gauge (my primary VTF gauge) and a 2 gram Class 1 calibration weight (to verify accuracy) so I am basing this on actual measurement. Don't discount your dealers ability to do the job correctly.
idiotec
12 posts
 
The believe the reason the VTF was set a bit high is due to the arm on your Scout. With no anit-skate, VPI recommends setting VTF about 10% over the recommended level. That said, I run a 10X5 on a Scout as well, and run it right at 2.2 and it tracks great.
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