Tracking Force Suggestions for Stanton 500.v3 Cartridge?, DJ cart with range of 2 - 5 grams. Using for hi-fi play Options

[Knowzy]

Supposing I've got a brand new Stanton T.92 USB turntable and I'm getting ready to produce some samples.

It comes with a pre-mounted (and presumably pre-aligned) Stanton 500.v3 cartridge. As a DJ cartridge, it has a wide range- 2 to 5 grams- and no specific recommendation within.

The tonearm is balanced and the counterweight dial zeroed. What tracking force do you think I should set?

Normally the consensus is to set the tracking force near the top of the range and I'm inclined to use 4.5 grams.

However, as a DJ cartridge, the top of the range is designed to ensure stability amidst violent scratching motions, which I won't be doing. Maybe 4.5 is overkill for trackability.

So, I'm throwing the question open to HA to see if we can't come to an agreement before I began sampling.

Balanced and Awaiting a Tracking Force Figure

This post has been edited by Knowzy: Jul 8 2010, 07:09

[Axon]

Would it be too snarky of an answer to say that the preferrable tracking force of a Stanton 500 is preferrably 2-4 kilograms?

Sorry, I bought one as a backup once upon a time, and it managed to achieve a ~40hz tonearm resonance on my SL-1200. If low compliance is how DJ cartridges achieve "slammin' bass" then I am kinda scared. Not as scared as using a ceramic cart though.

If you wanted a serious answer, IIRC, I'd probably track it at 3g by default, unless it started jumping grooves.

[Knowzy]

Before I say too much more, I should disclose that Stanton sent me this turntable free so that I could review it. I paid for the previous four turntables I reviewed out of my pocket.

I don't plan on that fact to affect my opinion of it and I expect you all call me on it if you believe that to be the case.

I bought one as a backup once upon a time, and it managed to achieve a ~40hz tonearm resonance on my SL-1200. If low compliance is how DJ cartridges achieve "slammin' bass" then I am kinda scared. Not as scared as using a ceramic cart though.

The proof will be in the listening/analysis.

The turntable is clearly better constructed than the $100 turntables I've been testing. But, as I advise readers in my guide, it is a DJ turntable, which is a musical instrument first and foremost.

If you wanted a serious answer, IIRC, I'd probably track it at 3g by default, unless it started jumping grooves.

Thanks, that's two votes for 3g and one for 5g.

Since you replied, do you mind showing your work a bit?

In particular, is your general tracking force philosophy to use as little as you can get away with or, like I hear most often, to set the tracking for at or near the top of the range to avoid mistracking at all costs?