I know I don’t know how to write a paragraph, certainly don’t understand when to break a long one like yours, however, I respectfully suggest at least separating your nice summation from the rest
I always think, when going back trying to find something I read (or wrote), how easy is it to find?
billstevenson
1,137 posts
"Well opinions notwithstanding, let me interject a few facts. I use a computer program called AnalogMagik to set up turntables. It is a distortion analyzer program that measures distortion as I adjust each of the various aspects of both cartridge and turntable. Any and all adjustments can affect the others so the process involves quite a bit of back and forth to try and get the best balance that minimizes distortion as much as possible across all of the various factors. That explains why no one adjustment should be considered more or less difficult or important than any other. Anyhow, to your question concerning Antiskating specifically as it relates to VPI tonearms, it has been my experience and observation that generally they are often optimally served with very little to no antiskating. I have decided to leave Antiskating force off on my own Fatboy equipped HW-40. I do have a VPI prototype tonearm in development as this is written that looks terrific and that I expect to receive shortly. It might be a different story, but that is something for the future. AnalogMagik suggests that for tonearms 12" and longer AS is not required. Since most VPI tonearms are at least 10", that might be explanatory in part for their recommendation. Anyway, that answers the VPI question and you can stop reading. For arms from other manufacturers the answer for Antiskate settings is not universal. For SME arms, I find the factory settings are accurate and should be used. For Technics, Antiskate settings seem to result in lowest distortion set at ~50% of recommended settings. On a Denon DP-3000NE, that I just acquired, the factory settings proved to be accurate. For most TTs from the EU, I am finding it best to start at 50% of recommended setting and increase only if you hear a slight mis-tracking in the upper mids to highs."
a dainty space here is what I am suggesting
"My general advice is that while a small amount of AS is good, too much is worse than none at all. So use a light touch. Those are facts, based on AnalogMagik, measurements and careful listening during set up and a number of TTs, not opinions."
