Tracking Ability
Tracking ability is the largest groove movement a cartridge can follow cleanly in a specified test. Here it is measured in micrometres (µm).
A specification such as “315 Hz, lateral” describes the test frequency and side-to-side groove movement. A value in cm/s describes velocity instead, so it is not directly comparable to an amplitude in µm.
Tracking Ability — Cartridge
Compare results only when the frequency, direction, tracking force, amplitude convention (such as peak) and test method match. Missing conditions prevent a confident direct comparison. A higher value under matching conditions means a larger groove movement was tracked cleanly, not that the cartridge sounds better overall.
Tracking force is the downward load on the stylus, commonly specified in grams. It is a setup setting, not the movement measured here. Stay within the cartridge maker’s recommended force range; do not exceed it to chase a better test result.
Sources
- Tracking ability test and test conditions — Ortofon
- Tracking ability and tracking-force specifications — Ortofon
- Cartridge performance tests — Ortofon
- Tracking force and alignment guidance — Ortofon