Dynavox TW-4 Digital Stylus Force Gauge, Black

The Dynavox TW-4 is a digital stylus force gauge that lets you determine and set your cartridge's tracking force to an accuracy of 0.01 grams.

Without a gauge, tracking force stays a guess – and the scale on the counterweight likes to be off by a tenth of a gram. With the TW-4, a feeling becomes a number. This thing does exactly one job, and it does it right.

Why measure tracking force?

Because it decides how long the stylus and the record last. Too little tracking force lets the stylus skip and distort in the groove. Too much tracking force, in turn, increases wear and squashes the treble. Every cartridge has a recommended window that is often just a few tenths of a gram wide – you won't hit that reliably with a scale on the counterweight.

What you get

The antimagnetic stainless steel platform is the clever part: there's a magnet inside the cartridge, and on an ordinary metal plate, it would throw off the measurement. Add to that a backlit display that stays readable even in a darkened listening room, and a tare function for zeroing out. The measuring range goes up to 200 grams – so it doubles as a letter scale too.

Who is the TW-4 for?

For anyone who sets up or replaces their own cartridge – and for anyone who wants to check their turntable's factory setting. Plain talk: the gauge is 16 millimeters tall and is placed on the platter, so it measures somewhat above the actual record plane. In practice, that's acceptable; purists reach for a flatter design. And anyone who never touches their tracking force simply doesn't need one.

Our verdict

The most unassuming tool with the biggest leverage in the whole vinyl accessories world. It prevents exactly the mistakes that ruin styli prematurely. Anyone who collects records but doesn't own a stylus force gauge has a gap in their toolbox.

Technical specifications

• Type: digital stylus force gauge (tracking force/VTF)
• Measuring range: 0.01–200 g
• Measuring accuracy: ± 0.01 g
• Platform: antimagnetic stainless steel
• Display: backlit
• Functions: tare, automatic shut-off after 60 s, units g/oz/ct/gn
• Dimensions: approx. 115 × 65 × 16 mm (W × D × H)
• Weight: approx. 100 g
• Power supply: 2 × AAA (micro), not included
• Included: stylus force gauge, multilingual instructions (DE/EN/FR)

Frequently asked questions

How accurately does the TW-4 measure?

To ± 0.01 grams, with a measuring range of 0.01 to 200 grams. That's a significantly finer resolution than any scale on a tonearm counterweight, and it's easily enough for all common MM and MC cartridges, whose manufacturer specs are usually given in tenths of a gram.

Does the gauge measure at record height?

Not exactly. The TW-4 is 16 millimeters tall and is placed on the platter, so the stylus lands above the normal record plane. In practice, the deviation is small and uncritical for the vast majority of tonearms. If you want to be very precise, place a record under the gauge.

Why does the platform need to be antimagnetic?

Because there's a magnet inside the cartridge. On an ordinary metal plate, it pulls at the gauge and throws off the reading by several tenths of a gram. The TW-4's antimagnetic stainless steel platform prevents that, so the displayed value really reflects the tracking force and not the magnetic pull.

What batteries does the TW-4 need?

Two AAA cells, also called micro batteries, which are not included. Get them at the same time, or the gauge will sit uselessly next to the turntable on a Sunday evening. Thanks to the automatic shut-off after 60 seconds, they tend to last a very long time.

Why buy the Dynavox TW-4 at HD Zürisee?

Because a system only plays as well as its setup. Our experienced team in Wädenswil will show you how to set tracking force and anti-skating properly – or set up your cartridge for you right at HD Zürisee. Call us at 044 680 22 00 or send a WhatsApp message to 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls).

Goes well with

You'll find the matching cartridge under cartridges, more setup accessories in turntable accessories, and more from Dynavox.