What is the Proper Vertical Tracking Force (VTF)?

As far as vertical tracking force (VTF), always start with the recommended VTF from the manufacturer for a particular make and model of cartridge. It may be possible to lower it after we have repaired or rebuilt your cartridge, but there are so many factors, including variations in tone arm design and condition, that we urge our customers to invest in a test record that will aid them in finding the correct VTF. Too low a VTF will damage both record and stylus, and too high will cause too much wear.  
 
The proper amount of VTF varies from cartridge to cartridge—EVEN within a single model—due to manufacturing tolerances. One who plays loudly recorded music will need a bit more, and visa-versa.  
 
When you are adjusting your VTF, if you use a test record, adjust the anti-skating beforehand as described below, and then fine tune the VTF to allow no audible distortion with a test record with a tone recorded at 12dB over 0 dB modulation. The following is VERY important. Most all test records that have high velocity tracks (greater than 25 cm/sec) will have distortion on one channel IF you set the antiskating as we describe on another of our pages. THIS IS CORRECT, even though it flies in the face of what the instruction on test record tell you. You can ONLY track higher velocities (no audible distortion) IF you adjust the anti-skating higher, which is too high for reasons we have described. 

The take away here is that unless you have a linear arm, the combination of VTF and anti skating forces are a compromise - the point being to get the BEST compromise available. b.