Most Accurate Stylus Force Gauge?

[hb22]

Spoken like a proud analog guy, lol.
Are these things easy and intuitive to use?

Of course.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Of course.

I'm famously all thumbs on such things (useful as an osteopath and running a TT).

 

[spiritofmusic]

I've actually just bought an all-analog gauge, last made in 1978, and used by Naim in the factory to set up their Aro unipivot.
Clue...made by the company who were kings of the TT world back in 1978...

 

[mtemur]

The most accurate stylus gauge is essentially any of them—as long as you measure at record height. If you measure at a different height, none of them will give a truly accurate reading.

This is because when the gauge sits higher or lower than the actual record surface, the tonearm angle changes. That change affects the effective tracking force, so even a small difference in height can lead to inaccurate measurements.

The variations you see between different gauges are basically the result of different weights being reflected by your tonearm at those varying heights above the platter.

 

[Shuggie]

I've actually just bought an all-analog gauge, last made in 1978, and used by Naim in the factory to set up their Aro unipivot.
Clue...made by the company who were kings of the TT world back in 1978...

Lovely thing, if not the most accurate in day to day use, where fractions of a gramme do make a difference with good quality cartridges. I have one somewhere, but the Rega Atlas is much better, and similarly UK designed and made.

 

[microstrip]

I am not that surprised, why would Ortofon spend extra money to develop a gauge when the Chinese ones meet their accuracy requirements? I am pretty sure many of these audio brands’ gauges are just OEM Chinese products with their brand name printed on. Whether the branded ones are more accurate / special selected is anyone’s guess, but I kind of doubt it!

Yes, all they have to do is checking accuracy and controlling quality, as once it enters the high-end distribution circuits a fault will not be tolerated, as it can affect the whole brand credibility.

 

[TooCool4]

This is how it

Spoken like a proud analog guy, lol.
Are these things easy and intuitive to use?

works Shure gauge

 

[spiritofmusic]

Technics SH-50P1 winging it's way here from Europe. Certainly not what I thought I was going to buy when the day started, lol.

 

[jazdoc]

I believe that precision (repeatability) is more important than accuracy (how close to the true value). I use the gauge to get it close with final fine tuning by ear.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I believe that precision (repeatability) is more important than accuracy (how close to the true value). I use the gauge to get it close with final fine tuning by ear.

I see it the same way. I've tried several with postal weights of 1 and 2 grams. The best digital scales manage to display the same weight 7 out of 10 times. That's completely sufficient for me, and they weren't the most expensive ones.

P.S
If you don't have any weights, a 1 euro cent weighs exactly 2.31g

 

[microstrip]

Spoken like a proud analog guy, lol.
Are these things easy and intuitive to use?

If you understand what means x1 and x2!

They came factory calibrated - if needed we can calibrate them sliding the scale for maximum accuracy. I still use mine from time to time.

 

[XCop5089]

I have an analogue Technics SH-50P1, from the 70’s, a Rega Atlas MKII, which is my “go to” and some generic digital scales, which came packaged with my AMG Viella turntable/ AMG J12T tonearm.

I find the AMG digital scales tend to read a bit light, compared to the Rega Atlas, which is supported and confirmed accurate, by the Technics scales.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I've just shelled out for the Technics, hoping this doesn't end up a poor choice. After scrolling thru so many cheap as chips Chinese digital scales, I came across the SH-50P1 by accident, and bought it on a whim.
Ron had been told the Rega Atlas has issues, and a vinylphile friend of mine didn't get on with it, so my verdict went with the Technics.

 

[XCop5089]

I've just shelled out for the Technics, hoping this doesn't end up a poor choice. After scrolling thru so many cheap as chips Chinese digital scales, I came across the SH-50P1 by accident, and bought it on a whim.
Ron had been told the Rega Atlas has issues, and a vinylphile friend of mine didn't get on with it, so my verdict went with the Technics.

Marc

I find the Rega perfectly satisfactory (no issues here) and the readout is confirmed by use of my Technics analogue scales.

I find that the generic (Chinese?) AMG digital scales measure .2g light, compared to the Rega and Technics.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I may team the Technics with the Shure in the months ahead. Just to while away the long dark hours as winter draws in.

 

[Lynnot]

In terms of calibration of a digital stylus gauge:

- One Eurocent: weight 2,30 g.
- Two Eurocent: weight 3,06 g.

Use both and check linearity of your device.

 

[Lynnot]

I came across the Technics SH-50P1 by accident, and bought it on a whim.

I use one of these too.

Well occasionaly as I also use a digital one.
The vintage Technics asks for a calibration (calibration weight included) every time you use it.
And it is pretty accurate.