Turntables for laymen

Mark C Flick

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Apr 17, 2017
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Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon 3805
Main Amp
Acurus A250
Additional Amp
Acurus 200X3
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PS3
Front Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 1266-SE
Center Channel Speaker
RBH Signature Classic 661-SE
Surround Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 66-SE
Subwoofers
RBH Signature Classic 1212-SE
Other Speakers or Equipment
Kenwood CT-406
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LG OLED55B9PUA
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Netflix & Amazon Prime
Other Equipment
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
So I've always loved listening to vinyl, probably due to my age. I've been buying and listening for over 40 years but never really got Into the details. So now I'm a bit curious about them. One thing that intrigues me is the effect of downforce. If my cartridge manufacturer recommends 1.8g of downforce (tracking issues aside) I'd suspect I would get the best sound and life from the stylus. If I set it at 1.6 I would guess I would hear a little more snap, crackle and pop and stylus would last longer as would the LP. OTOH, if I set it at 2.0 I would think I'd hear a bit warmer sound with less noise at the expense of stylus and LP life.

Keep in mind I have no idea how this works, and I'm but I'd really be interested in learning more.
 

Grayson Dere

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Integra DTR 7.8
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Class D Audio: SDS-470CS
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Shellbrook Audio Hybrid Head headphone amp
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Sony UBP-X700
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Vandersteen Model 2
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SVS PB-2000
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Grado SR 325is headphones
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JVC DLA-X75
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Elite Screen 120"
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Origin Live Aurora MKIII turntable
So I've always loved listening to vinyl, probably due to my age. I've been buying and listening for over 40 years but never really got Into the details. So now I'm a bit curious about them. One thing that intrigues me is the effect of downforce. If my cartridge manufacturer recommends 1.8g of downforce (tracking issues aside) I'd suspect I would get the best sound and life from the stylus. If I set it at 1.6 I would guess I would hear a little more snap, crackle and pop and stylus would last longer as would the LP. OTOH, if I set it at 2.0 I would think I'd hear a bit warmer sound with less noise at the expense of stylus and LP life.

Keep in mind I have no idea how this works, and I'm but I'd really be interested in learning more.


It could be due to placebo effect but I've noticed in the past that when my tracking force is just slightly heavier than the recommended setting I get a more 'thick' sound.
 

Matthew J Poes

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Oct 18, 2017
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I’m not sure you can set tracking issues aside. The higher tracking force helps it track big bass dynamics better.

I don’t usually find that small increases make a big difference in the highs but does in the bass. Personally I like my needle set on the high side of right. I have some 180 gram and 200 gram records that my needle mistracks on the bass if I go on the light side of correct. I was chasing a tracking issue in one of those records, a white stripes album, and only felt certain the tracking issue was resolved once I got to the highest recommended tracking force.
 

Mark C Flick

Member
Thread Starter
Joined
Apr 17, 2017
Messages
417
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Denon 3805
Main Amp
Acurus A250
Additional Amp
Acurus 200X3
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony PS3
Front Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 1266-SE
Center Channel Speaker
RBH Signature Classic 661-SE
Surround Speakers
RBH Signature Classic 66-SE
Subwoofers
RBH Signature Classic 1212-SE
Other Speakers or Equipment
Kenwood CT-406
Video Display Device
LG OLED55B9PUA
Streaming Subscriptions
Netflix & Amazon Prime
Other Equipment
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Interesting.. like I said I'm not well versed at all and have no interest in experimenting with my own turntable and vinyl. I guess what I meant by "tracking issues aside" was assuming no matter the down force the stylus would continue to track correctly. I suppose my real question is, what effect does downforce have on sound? In general, does greater downforce increase bass and warmth and lesser downforce equal thinner sound?
 

Jack

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Apr 17, 2017
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375
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Southern Indiana
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Integra 9.8 pre/pro, Denon 4520ci
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Emotiva XPA5
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Darid I30
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Hafler 220
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Oppo
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Klipsch KLF10
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Klipsch C7
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Various
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HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP
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Lita Audio Tube Dac, MyDac, Home made Music server
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Lots
Might I recommend that you try different settings to determine what sounds best to you. This issue can be very subjective and personal. Like Matthew indicates he feels a bit more weight helps him get through tougher tracks, especially in the bass. I remember when Telarc came out with a record that recorded real canon blasts and no matter what I did the stylus would jump out of the groove.

So experiment with your own system and go with the good sound.
 
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