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HFNRR Test Record anti-skating tracks

I just bought a slightly used Benz Ruby 2 cartridge from a reliable source and installed it in my linear-tracking Eminent Technology ET-2 tonearm and SOTA Star Sapphire turntable.  A classic analog front end.  I set up the arm/cartridge very carefully, and this is my second go round with doing so with this 'table. 

After leveling the turntable so the cartridge remains stationery in the blank area between tracks, in the middle of the HFNRR Test Record, I played Band 6, which contains a mono 300 Hz tone.  The instructions say to listen for any difference between the channels to show whether the anti-skating is correctly set.  Of course, with a linear-tracking turntable the only anti-skating adjustment consists of having the turntable perfectly level, which I also check with a bubble level.

On this band of the test LP, both channels sounded the same, but there was similar distortion on each side.  The instructions for this band go on to say "If there is any hint of instability (distorted or buzzing sound) on one channel or the other then adjust the bias compensation accordingly."  (Apparently "bias" is the British term for
"anti-skating.").  So if there is distortion in both channels, what does that mean?  I'm confident the anti-skating/turntable level is correctly set.  On my old Shure Era III test record, the cartridge didn't do great on the trackability tests, but the only cartridge of mine that ever did was the Shure V-15 Type III (imagine that).  The Ruby 2 could only pass the first two test levels before there would be some slight mistracking.

On conventional records the cartridge generally sounds fine, very similar to the Monster Cable Alpha Genesis 1000 that preceded it.  Both cartridges seemed to mistrack one crescendo in "Meditation 2" from the Larajii Day of Radiance Ambient 3 LP, which sounds OK on an old Nakamichi cassette recording I made from this Japanese-pressed LP.  Having made the cassette dub, I rarely played the LP. (FWIW, a different pressing of this unusual recording is on the TAS Super Disc list.)

I explained the HFNRR record results with the seller, who collects cartridges, and he suggested increasing the tracking force.  I have it on 2 gm now; 2.2 gm is the upper limit for "recommended tracking force."

Would you agree to increase the VTF, or should I just ignore the test record result? I am inclined to try it, at least to see if the Ambient 3 track will play better.  But it is laborious to adjust the VTF with the ET-2 arm.

128x128drmuso
lewm
12,625 posts
 

I apologize in advance for some of my ideas based on your post, because you are obviously both knowledgeable and experienced in using this particular combo of TT and tonearm, but here goes:

(1) I am sure you know this, but there is one thing more to setting up any cartridge on any linear tracker that you did not mention, which is that the stylus tip has to sit exactly on the radius of the LP such that the arm wand is perpendicular to the radius.  Else you will have wow (which could be a source of the distortion you hear). Did you take care to get that right? (Most likely you did and just did not mention it.)

(2) Bubble levels are nice but not the absolute most accurate way to check that the platter is level. Better is a linear carpenter's level, used to check level across the platter in two planes at a 90 degree angle to each other. (I am assuming you used one of those small round levels that has a circle in which to center the bubble. I use one  like that only to "ballpark" level.)

(3) Is it really the best idea to have an air bearing tonearm on a spring-suspended TT? Any relative motion between the stylus and the platter is a no-no, and in my imagination I am thinking that could happen with a passive air bearing arm like the ET2 on a spring loaded TT, and maybe that is why you are not getting optimal tracking.  I personally don't like the idea of increasing VTF just to improve tracking when you are already near the upper end of the range recommended by the manufacturer, but I would not say it's "wrong", especially if it works.

(4) "Distortion in both channels" probably has nothing to do with skating in this case.  Also the HFNRR instructions on how to attain "correct" anti-skating (which does not exist) do depend on the acuity of the listener, probably not very accurate which probably doesn't matter.  Another way to use their mono AS band would be to make one channel 180 degrees out of phase with the other (by for example swapping wires between hot and ground at one speaker.)  Thus the signal in one channel would cancel the other when AS is set optimally, at least for that frequency at that segment of the LP.

stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,399 posts
 

Get a Fozometer to do it correctly.   If you're near Scottsdale, Az, I'll lend you mine

lewm
12,625 posts
 

Fozgometer to do what correctly? 

drmuso's avatar
drmuso OP
94 posts
 

Thank you both for your prompt responses.

@lewm Your (1)--isn’t that cartridge overhang? I did check that with the cartridge alignment tool provided with the ET-2.

(2) You are correct about the type of level I used, so I just rechecked it with an 8" linear level, and it looks good in both planes.

(3) The ET-2 has a horizontal mass of 30 g, vertical mass of 7 g. I guess as the arm traverses the platter there would be some slight effect, but the benefit of the vacuum hold-down of the platter (and benefits of the turntable suspension) is probably more audible and worthwhile, in my estimation. Most mildly warped records (talk about "relative motion between the stylus and the platter"!) can be completely flattened, and such warps probably have more of an effect than the turntable suspension. The hold-down also reduces resonances from the vinyl. Physics is not my strongest subject, so I’ll admit to some handicap in evaluating such things. Generally, playback of music has always sounded great, and I haven’t noticed a systematic decrease in audio quality at certain points of most records, which I imagine would be the issue if there were serious effects from the interaction of the linear arm and the SOTA suspension.  Also, the HFNRR Test Record has the same tracking tests at disparate points on the record, and I can check that the distortion is the same with all of them.

@stringreen Thanks for your offer, but I’m quite far from AZ. But also curious what a Fozgometer is/does.

 

benjie
329 posts
 
drmuso OP

I would suggest that you look into a tool made by Wally Tools...The WallySkater... for setting up anti-skate on your turntable. The tool has the ability to be used with linear tracking tonearms. There are many videos on the subject of Anti-Skate at the website and on why test records are not the best choice for setting anti-skate. There is a wealth of information at the website. If you have any questions, J.R. would be very happy to discuss any setup issues you may have. His knowledge on tonearm and cartridge setup is amazing.

  The Fozgometer is used for setting up Azimuth for your cartridge.

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