Hey Justinis,
Have you set overhang and azimuth? Both are very important to aligning the cartridge. Cheap protractors to assist you with this are commonly available.
http://www.needledoctor.com/New/Cartridge-Alignmenthttp://www.elexatelier.com/essentials.htmhttp://turntablebasics.com/align.htmlI have the one from Turntable Basics. It works well.
Overhang adjusts the effective length of the arm, pivot to stylus.
Azimuth is the adjustment to put the cantilever, and therefore, presumably the stylus tip tangent to the groove.
Since you have a pivoted arm, the settings are adjusted at two points, best compromise between the two.
After that is correct, then play with VTF and VTA. Please remember that VTA is dependent on VTF. The greater the tracking force, the more the cantilever is deflected towards parallel with the groove (at the limit.)
You mentioned "recommended" tracking force......any numbers here? Feel free to play a bit, you may find that the cartridge likes more force than is recommended.
Good luck, keep us posted. Hope this helps.
Stuart