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Tracking Force?

I have a Clearaudio Concept turntable (about 7-8 months now). Beautiful piece of work. It was bought already factory  setup. In 50years of buying records I have only had three turntables and never really bothered too much about doing my own setups.
Last week I bought digital scales for measuring tracking force.
In the Technical details in the manual it states Tracking Force as 2.2 g(+/- 0.2g)
When I placed the scale on platter and lowered the tonearm it read out 3.8.
My thoughts now are: should I alter, that is, tamper with this?  OR Should I trust and go with the factory setup?

vinowino
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
....just get it in the ballpark, then listen as you raise/lower the rear end of the arm.   When you think you have it right, check the vtf with the scale at the same height as you zeroed the arm...if not, your indication will be wrong.  I would double check the azimuth....I think it is a very important adjustment.
stevecham
3,298 posts
 
Anyone with a cartridge required to track greater than 2.0 g in this day and age should have his/her head examined.
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
43 posts
 
Anyone with a cartridge required to track greater than 2.0 g in this day and age should have his/her head examined.

Please elaborate.
lewm
6,770 posts
 
I don’t know what other misunderstandings pertain but if the max recommended VTF is around 2.0, then 3.8 is likely to collapse the suspension over time and to damage any LP. Don’t do it.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
First, confirm that your tracking force gauge is non-ferrous (with a magnet). If it is, your arms counterweight must have moved during packing, shipping, or unpacking. Readjust your counterweight to achieve correct VTF.
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