Cartridge Break-in at High VTF?

Not a good idea. You could permanently deform the suspension parts which are designed to keep the generating elements within a particular operating position. Unless you went way overboard, the cantilever should hold up, but still, there is no good reason to overstress that as well.

You need to consider that measurements are not all that accurate so you could end up WAY over. I watched the distributor of Allaerte cartridges install a $13,000 cartridge in a friend's rig. He used three different digital scales, all three read differently, with a range of something like .3 grams difference. He averaged the three.

I don't understand the crazy obcession with break in. It will happen in time, and it is not like the music cannot be enjoyed while it is happening. The big changes will happen pretty early, like in the first 20 hours or so.

+++ Use normal tracking force & 45 RPM dance singles instead +++

Reading that just brought up this image of Psychic in a bell bottomed leisure suit dancing to 'boogie wonderland' ...

A Shure DJ cartridge brocure recommended breaking in cartridges by leaving a record on the platter, with the arm lowered and the cartridge in contact with the record, when the turntable was off. This always intrigued me, but I have never tried it. YMMV all over the place.

Viridian,

that actually does make sense in terms of vertical suspension.