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More on VPI Anti-Skate

I just moved to my new Arizona digs from NJ. I plunked down the stereo (sounded awful) and discovered I lost the Vandersteen owners' manual. I just found it on line and was able to position the speakers properly, and it sounds much better. I have been using the anti-skate on my VPI 10.5 on Superscoutmaster with rim drive and all the other upgrades. I noticed, that the anti-skate mechanism was not functioning peculiarly..it seemed to be sluggish..damped in its travel if you will. I remembered it operating silky smoothe. In the meantime I had added some damping oil in the arm. Much to my satisfaction, it added tremendous layering, tightened up voice so that it was between the 2 speakers rather than spread across the 2 speakers, etc. I noticed however, when I removed the anti-skate to drop some WD-40 at the pivot (which returned it to its silky self) that the sound was even better. I reported on these pages that the sound improved WITH the device, but I discovered that it improved the UNDAMPED arm. With damping, the a/s is a bit of a detriment. I took the oil out and repeated the experiment to see if the now properly lubricated a/s device was a help. Indeed it was, however, when I put the damping back into the arm, I preferred the damped arm without the a/s. As with everything, there are variables.
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Showing 5 responses by stringreen

stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
6,368 posts
 
Regarding the fluid level... If I look into the well with the arm removed, my fluid level is about 1/2 way up the cone before the shape turns into the pin. Remember however, that all cartridges are different. I am using the Benz Ebony LP. Listen for yourself. The fluid is easily removed with a Q-tip.

Regarding Jamnperry's question. There are many differences. When I was playing an Aaron Neville album, and with A/S, his voice was huge, spreading the entire area between the 2 speakers. Without the anti-skate, his voice was centered in 3 dimensions exactly between the 2 speakers. I sensed a kind of blurring with A/S that was cleaning up without it. My wife who is not an audiophile, knew immediately that no a/s and damped had a much more "lifelike" sound (as she described it). I suspect that although the A/S gizmo does its job as intended, it also provides a bit of damping to the stylus which simply may be too much in my system. This would explain the improvement using it with the arm not damped.

If you are using A/S and prefer it, there is NO chance of screwing up your records with its use. (don't drop the stylus on the record, don't drop the record on the floor, etc.)
stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
6,368 posts
 
New room theory may have played some part, however, I can still hear some differences for the better as is under the earphones... Sennheiser 650 with balanced Cardas cable into Headroom Blockhead all balanced.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
6,368 posts
 
No twist on the wires
stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
6,368 posts
 
MJGLO, did you notice that the anti-skating device can be set a number of ways. When the mechanism is adjusted so that the weighted arm that provides the reactive force is at its outmost point, the force is at its maximum. Very little outward pressure is exerted when that arm is low or high in its travels, since the weight is carried by the pivot. This maximum can be adjusted so that it occurs at the beginning, middle, end, or anywhere in between...with lesser pull at the intermittent points.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen OP
6,368 posts
 
Thanks Dougdeacon.. It is wonderful here in North Scottsdale...only one problem.. I have yet to get the acoustics fine tuned in my new sound room (15x24 ft with 12 ft ceilings). I'm working on it though and every day brings me closer.
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