Does slightly heavier tracking force really damage records easily?

[Ohmish]

Hi
I have a new turntable that doesn't have antiskate setting option
I replaced the default Audio-Technica AT3600L stylus/cartridge with a Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH vertical tracking force is rated at about 1.8 - 2.2 grams
To prevent skating outwards it seems I have to set it to about 3 grams
Is this too much?
I heard that "damage to the records" is a semi-debunked myth, but not sure
What do you think?

 

[abacus]

Hi
I have a new turntable that doesn't have antiskate setting option
I replaced the default Audio-Technica AT3600L stylus/cartridge with a Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH vertical tracking force is rated at about 1.8 - 2.2 grams
To prevent skating outwards it seems I have to set it to about 3 grams
Is this too much?
I heard that "damage to the records" is a semi-debunked myth, but not sure
What do you think?

The cartridge is designed for a specific range as determined by the manufacture, if you go outside this range then performance will deteriorate and reduce the lifespan of the cartridge and stylus.
If you are keeping your turntable then fit the old cartridge back in, otherwise if you wish to keep the new cartridge, buy a new turntable that has the necessary adjustments. (Even budget turntables have the required adjustments these days)

Bill

 

[daytona600]

Pointless buying a Turntable with Fixed VTF & Bias , bit like buying a car with only one gear
3.0g bias is far to high , rule of thumb generally half ( 0.75/1.0g) will lead to channel imbalance and one side of the stylus & record will wear much faster than other side
Shibata stylus on 95SH also requires correct adjustment for Azimuth & Zenith

 

[davidf]

Improper setup (stylus angle etc) will be the main cause of damaged records, but keep the stylus and your records clean. Change the stylus regularly. 800 hours is recommended for a Shibata stylus.

If there's no adjustment available, stick to the recommended cartridge.

 

[nopiano]

Hi
I have a new turntable that doesn't have antiskate setting option
I replaced the default Audio-Technica AT3600L stylus/cartridge with a Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH vertical tracking force is rated at about 1.8 - 2.2 grams
To prevent skating outwards it seems I have to set it to about 3 grams
Is this too much?
I heard that "damage to the records" is a semi-debunked myth, but not sure
What do you think?

What turntable is it? Going from a conical stylus to the top of the range SH is too far unless you can properly adjust the tracking force and antiskate.

At such excessive downforce the tracking angle will be wrong, and the right channel of the groove will have too much pressure. The suspension of the stylus isn’t designed to withstand it either - it’s like towing a caravan 50% heavier than your car can cope with.

 

[camcroft]

I use 2g for all of my AT cartridges

 

[Integralista]

Hi
I have a new turntable that doesn't have antiskate setting option
I replaced the default Audio-Technica AT3600L stylus/cartridge with a Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH

The Audio-Technica AT-VM95SH vertical tracking force is rated at about 1.8 - 2.2 grams
To prevent skating outwards it seems I have to set it to about 3 grams
Is this too much?
I heard that "damage to the records" is a semi-debunked myth, but not sure
What do you think?

Hi, I recommend to change a turntable in this case. Anyway, which turntable do you use? BR.

 

[Ohmish]

Argon Audio TT MK2
Not very known in the whole world, but good brand here

 

[Integralista]

Argon Audio TT MK2
Not very known in the whole world, but good brand here

Hi, I have checkednuser manual for your TT which is on their web. There is no word about antiskating. I recommend to take a look on manual and try to repeat procedure of balancing the arm in 0 g tracking force and than apply force recommended by manufacturer. Try min and max recommended setting. It shoul work. If not, than something can be defective on TT. If in warranty period, you can rerurn it to seller. BR.

 

[Ohmish]

What should work?
Maybe you didn't read my original post
It's not about "doing things by the manual", it's about having a turntable with fixed anti-skate setting and replacing the stylus with one that needs lighter VTF hence changing the pre-set anti-skate balance

 

[Integralista]

Hi, I have checkednuser manual for your TT which is on their web. There is no word about antiskating. I recommend to take a look on manual and try to repeat procedure of balancing the arm in 0 g tracking force and than apply force recommended by manufacturer. Try min and max recommended setting. It shoul work. If not, than something can be defective on TT. If in warranty period, you can rerurn it to seller. BR.

What should work?
Maybe you didn't read my original post
It's not about "doing things by the manual", it's about having a turntable with fixed anti-skate setting and replacing the stylus with one that needs lighter VTF hence changing the pre-set anti-skate balance

Hi, I red you post. Question is if you have set correctly 0 as firs step and balanded the arm with cartridge. It is in manual how to do it. And than second if indicated 2 or 3 g are 2 or 3 g in reality. Some automatic weighing check is recommended. I use Rega Atlas scale for that. Each serious analogue listener shoul have something like this. This TT has no setting of antiscating for user. Probably this design of arm is dedicated for high tracking force more than 3 g as indicated in Spec sheet for this TT. It was normal in old days of analogue. For me a bit strange today. To set 3,5 g for cartridge with max recommended 2g is wrong. Just this from my side. BR.