Glossary · Turntables
Stylus Force Gauge
A small scale that measures tracking force in grams.
A stylus force gauge — usually a digital scale reading to 0.01 g — measures the actual downward force at the stylus, rather than trusting the counterweight dial. It’s the single most useful setup tool: it turns tracking force from a guess into a number.
Terms on the same stage
Tracking Force (VTF)
The downward weight the stylus presses into the groove, in grams.
Anti-Skate
Force that counters the tonearm’s inward pull toward the spindle.
VTA
Vertical tracking angle — the tonearm’s height at the pivot.
Azimuth
The vertical, side-to-side alignment of the stylus in the groove.
Overhang
How far the stylus sits past the spindle when swung over.
Null Point
The two radii where a pivoted arm has zero tracking error.
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