Investigation of the Shure SFG-2 accuracy - and tracking weight for DL-103R

Posted by Paul Tobin (A) on March 23, 2006 at 18:37:58

My curiousity about the accuracy of the Shure SFG-2 VTF balance scale got the better of me - so I purchased a 50gx0.01g digital pocket scale to do some checking.
Now I set my VTF by ear - ie to how it sounds best - so the actual setting doesn't really matter I guess....but my settings differed enough from other peoples findings to warrant some investigation.
I've been pushing a 2-2.1g tracking weight for the Denon 103R cartridge as being the best sounding - but my findings reveal that a sincere apology is due! According to the digital scale my tracking weight (with antiskate applied) is 2.35g!! Interestingly, if antiskate is defeated, the digital scale measures 2.43g!! I should note the digital scale measurement is done outside the actual playing area.
At the same setting the Shure reads slightly under 2.1g (with antiskating) and 2.1g without antiskating (measurment within the playing area with the Shure).
Once again I must apologise for spreading erroneous information (I hate it when I do that) but it was in good faith and to the best of my (then) current knowledge.
BTW, this digital scale (including 50g calibration weight) only cost about $20 more than the Shure. I consider it a wise investment, particularly if you use the Shure and are in the habit of setting VTF strictly by spec rather than by ear.

Here are some pics of the measurements.

First the Shure with antiskate applied (yes I know shure say to defeat it but I like to measure with the playing conditions applied).

And a closeup, with aniskating applied, showing ~1.03(?) (x2)= 2.06g (obviously you can't really resolve this with any accuracy on the shure balance):

And with antiskating defeated, reading 1.05 (x2)= 2.1g

Here is the digital scale, measuring with antiskating applied:

And here it is with antiskating defeated:

System Details

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Topic - Investigation of the Shure SFG-2 accuracy - and tracking weight for DL-103R - Paul Tobin 18:37:58 03/23/06 (23)

The Shure SFG-2 gets a clean bill of health from me - Paul Tobin 00:08:14 03/25/06 (0)

Neither scale has been calibrated - riffer 07:30:35 03/24/06 (1)

Not strictly true - Paul Tobin 12:58:06 03/24/06 (0)

Hold the presses...strike that, erase....I am the King of misinformation - Paul Tobin 23:00:02 03/23/06 (4)

simple intuitive Analog wins ! - J.D. 09:31:29 03/24/06 (0)

Try Measuring A Playing Card - Backbeat1954A@aol.com 02:13:55 03/24/06 (0)

I also see that you are using the Shure on top of a record. - Chet 23:50:28 03/23/06 (1)

Yes, the instructions say.... - Paul Tobin 00:09:05 03/24/06 (0)

Paul, you may want to look at wally's site and - Shane From AUS 22:36:08 03/23/06 (0)

Re: Investigation of the Shure SFG-2 accuracy - and tracking weight for DL-103R - John Elison 20:37:49 03/23/06 (6)

I'll have to do some more tests it seems - Paul Tobin 21:31:43 03/23/06 (5)

Re: I'll have to do some more tests it seems - John Elison 01:34:31 03/24/06 (4)

Follow up on paper test - Paul Tobin 20:29:20 03/24/06 (2)

Re: Follow up on paper test - Paul Tobin 11:03:16 03/25/06 (0)

Re: Follow up on paper test - John Elison 07:18:39 03/25/06 (0)

I wonder what your bathroom scale looks like! - OMalley 06:03:08 03/24/06 (1)

Interesting-but you may want to check out this link. - powermatic 19:08:32 03/23/06 (6)

i have the Generic 50 "A" - OMalley 05:53:22 03/24/06 (1)

About measurement hieght - Paul Tobin 13:11:20 03/24/06 (0)

that's worth knowing about - Paul Tobin 19:31:14 03/23/06 (3)

That was my point in even bringing this link up-for the individual - powermatic 20:04:01 03/23/06 (2)

I agree with what you've said - Paul Tobin 21:14:43 03/23/06 (1)

Your story illustrates one of the problems with - powermatic 21:33:09 03/23/06 (0)

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