Reddit reviews Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge 0.01g/5.00g Blue LCD Backlight for Tonearm Phono Cartridge

Yesterday I decided to do a full clean and re-calibration of my turntable, and figured I'd document the components that combine to make up my Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. Below is a recap of the photo album with some helpful links for those who may be new to the hobby or not familiar with all components.

The first picture in the album shows a (mostly) deconstructed view of the table, with the acrylic platter, counterweight, anti-skate weight, and cartridge removed; exposing the subplatter and belt drive and showing the full gloss of the plinth. Once fully broken down, I did a thorough cleaning of all surfaces (because dust is my mortal enemy), and then began to reassemble.

The second picture in the album is of the rubber belt seated on the subplatter and set on the 33 & 1/3 RPM setting of the motor. If you look closely, you will notice that the transport screws have been removed to help isolate the motor. Some people report having humming issues with this specific turntable, and often removing this screws will help resolve that. Even if you don't have humming issues, it is still recommended to remove these to increase motor isolation and further reduce the potential for unwanted resonance.

The next photo shows the counterweight secured to the back of the tonearm, providing balance. The dial is to help the user manually set the vertical tracking force (VTF). Setting VTF using this dial is first achieved by aligning the weight so that the tonearm balances nearly level when the cue lever is dropped, and aligning this balance to zero on the dial. From there, you can turn the counterweight and dial until desired tracking force is set - generally each tick line on the dial represents 0.1g of added downward force. I'd recommend adding a scale/gauge to your accessories if you don't have one. They're fairly cheap and allow for much more precision.

While you can manually set this, the next photo shows that using a digital stylus gauge makes things much easier and allows for a more precise calibration. The cartridge/stylus I currently have is an Ortofon 2M Bronze, which has a recommended VTF range of 1.4-1.7g. I always err on the high end, but this is purely preference.

Once VTF is set, you can set the anti-skating weight to the appropriate setting. This turntable utilizes a hanging weight to achieve proper anti-skate. You simply loop the thread in the appropriate notch (determined by VTF used) and run the weight and string through the adjacent hook. As you play the record and the from of the tonearm moves inward towards the center of the record, the back end of the arm will rotate clockwise away from the center; which pulls on the weight and causes it to lift on the pulley system.

Finally, I utilize vibrapod isolation feet to further isolate my table from the surface it is on. If you have hardwood floors and experience skipping when you walk near your turntable due to movement in the floor, you may consider this or other isolation solutions. Once these are fully seated, you should double check to ensure your table is perfectly level - any tilt will cause all calibration to be for naught!

The last picture shows everything assembled, and Classic Record's Clarity SV-P II 45 RPM Series Single-sided release of Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington's "The Great Reunion" spinning. It is far and away the best sounding album (vinyl, or otherwise) in my entire music library. I always like to play something high end after a good cleaning and calibration!

I hope this made for a somewhat useful and helpful read for newcomers. I know at times this sub may not be the most welcoming of folks that are new(er) to the hobby, but I think we're making progress. If anyone has any questions, or if there's anything I left out that may be useful, let me know and I'll do my best to answer or address it!

I'd also love to hear/see from users with different tables note how their turntables differ in set-up and calibration!

I would highly recommend picking up a cheap digital scale and actually checking what the weight is as I know you mentioned it’s not tearing up your vinyl but there is a good chance you won’t notice any damage until you upgrade or replace the stylus.

I had an old console until back when I started when I didn’t know any better, didn’t replace the stylus and I had to get rid of most of the records I owned because of the visible groove wear. I didn’t even know what it looked like before but it ruined a few. The damage most of the time isn’t visible either.

This is the one I use

You'll want to clean your records with something like a Spin Clean or a cheaper clone. Then you'll probably want to upgrade the inner sleeves if they come in paper ones. And you'll need outer sleeves for those purchases that don't come with one. Then a carbon fiber brush would be great for getting any surface dust off before spinning a record. And occasionally you'll want to wipe any debris off your stylus with either a stylus brush or use a Magic Eraser. Speaking of the stylus, you should double-check the tracking force with a scale.

For storage, maybe just an IKEA Kallax will do.

Do it! Get the heavy counterweight replacement like this one and a digital scale like this to dial in the tracking force. THEN, if you really want to make a tweak that will blow your mind in terms of improved sound then yank that preamp as seen here.

I just bought this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KR15HU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Can someone walk me through what I do with it once I have them?

It should go without saying that you need the right care and calibration tools to make your day to day listening the best. This is what I use for those purposes;

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KR15HU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2AMSYS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KAFG8EG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ERPWAK2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GOOAEVK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Of these things, the OnZow is probably the most important, along with the Studebaker record cleaner. If you buy used records a cleaner is a MUST, and even new out of the wrapper records have crap on them. The OnZow gets the junk off your needle, which is a must.

AFTER those things are taken care of, cart or preamp. Both have the most immediate effect on the sound, presuming you are playing quality good condition records.

This one is better

https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1483051822&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=turntable+scale

It is made for this work and accuracy to 0.01g.

mmmm, maybe, but that sounds like distortion potentially caused by bad tracking force. Do you have a tracking force gauge? If not, you should pick up an inexpensive one and check. If I had to guess, I'd say you're too light.

Check amazon, they are like $10 and very simple to operate, a lot simpler than setting the tracking force normally.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/

How to Set Up the Reference Turntables from Fluance. It can be tricky to get the counterweight balance correct and then dial in the vertical tracking force on your first try. A Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge will help to confirm you have it set up correctly.

You should also order a stylus weight gauge. I have this one. It will tell you how heavy your stylus is tracking accurately.

the best way is to get a little digital scale off amazon, they are not too expensive https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2H7P79PLL57NZ&keywords=tracking+force+scale&qid=1571271503&sprefix=tracking+force+%2Caps%2C189&sr=8-6 that is a link to the us amazon posting.

Thanks. I'll try your suggestions.
I also ordered a Stylus force scale (Neoteck Digital Turntable Stylus Force Scale Gauge 0.01g Blue LCD Backlight for Tonearm Phono Cartridge https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6Diyzb26ZHM6G) yesterday, so I can make sure the counterweight is set properly. I'm hoping it's a simple solution like that.

If you have a little extra cash they sell scales for just this. They're cheap and very useful.

Here's one example:
https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY


You can dial them in to the tenth of a gram. I typically set mine at whatever the manual says for the cartridge I'm using.

One of these? https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/ I am new to all of this. I have looked for instructions on changing the stylus. They seem hard to find so far.

> I believe the cartridge is permanently mounted. If that is the case, can I set the counterweight to any weight without worrying about excessive force and damage to the record?

The only way to be sure would be to buy a cheap tracking force scale and measure. Just because the tracking force is permanently set doesn't necessarily mean it's not set excessively high.

The $10(ish) scales on Amazon work fine: https://www.amazon.com/Neoteck-Digital-Turntable-Backlight-Cartridge/dp/B01HRJ9NAY/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_267_bs_lp_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=FKYKA8G3QYY9QQ6M41TZ

I'm using a 719-D7 needle with a P-187D cartridge.

Needle specs:

• "D7" =Diamond 0.7 mil conical tip needle.

• 16, 33 or 45rpm LPs

• NOT for 78rpm

• 4 - 6 grams tracking pressure.


I bought a Neoteck scale that you recommended. Unfortunately, the scale maxes out at 5 grams. My tracking force measures over 5 grams. I'd like to say it is just around 6 grams or less, but I don't know for sure since it just says MAX.

Adjustable counterweight: No.