blind bruce
Member
I have a vintage Sony PS-X6 TT with an anti skating knob. I have a similar aged Audio Teknica cartridge.
How should the knob be adjusted.
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How should the knob be adjusted.
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Anti skating setting question
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blind bruce
Member
Y
BB
es but I can still see very blurry images. My computer program "reads" forum replys out loud.
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I use Shure's Audio Obstacle Course record to set the antiskating. It has high volume record test tones that will cause the cartridge to mistrack. You set the antiskating such that both channels mistrack at the same level. The problem is that the amount of antiskating depends on the stylus geometry. A spherical tip requires less antiskating than an elliptical tip, while a line contact tip requires less than a hyperelliptical. Setting the antiskating to match the VTF will probably result in too little of an adjustment, but it's better than nothing.
Poinzy
Super Member
Update: Well, I see somebody beat me to it. Hope this isn't too redundant.
I think there are newly issued test records that would allow you to judge the anti-skating effect by sound alone. I have an old Shure test record with just such an anti-skating test band. There might be modern equivalents, but I'm not sure. My anti-skating adjustment method is strictly visual, so I don't use my old Shure record anymore.
Just a warning -- test records tend to be on the pricey side. Maybe someone will suggest a cheaper alternative.
I think there are newly issued test records that would allow you to judge the anti-skating effect by sound alone. I have an old Shure test record with just such an anti-skating test band. There might be modern equivalents, but I'm not sure. My anti-skating adjustment method is strictly visual, so I don't use my old Shure record anymore.
Just a warning -- test records tend to be on the pricey side. Maybe someone will suggest a cheaper alternative.
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blind bruce
Member
If I get a sighted person to look at the visual adjustment, what do I ask him (or her) to look for?
73
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Poinzy
Super Member
Well, the very simplest way to set anti-skate is to use a 1:1 ratio to the tracking force. So, if you have, say, 1.5 grams of tracking force, you set the anti-skate dial to 1.5. You don't do any testing at all. You just set the anti-skate dial and go.
I'm sure others will add their own suggestions, though.
Drummerboy2
Well-Known Member
SoundSmith has an anti skate procedure that is pretty good. Go to their website to check it out.
49/16
Active Member
I also reccomend the Soundsmith procedure. Ive had a lot of turntables where the 1:1 is completely different for each table, no anti skate knob is the same.
49/16
Active Member
I thougt it stated that the needle should slowly drift to the center, not stay still.
dbxdx5
Super Member
You're right.
49/16
Active Member
Good question, This is where i stop driving myself crazy and just try for "good enough". I usually try to get it about as fast as one of those smooth Rolex second hands. User results may vary. On my table it's about around the same 1:1 ratio luckily, but I've had some Technics that even at half 1:0.5 it was pulling the arm back to the arm rest. It's interesting to see however, the pictures that Peter took on the soundsmith site of diamonds that were set at 1:1 on certain turntables. Huge gash cut into the right channel side of the diamond. I shudder to think what happened to the countless records those styli played. From all the research I've done though, I can confidently say that no antiskate is better than too much.
Djcoolray
Addicted Member
I've got the easiest way.....check it !
I also use the side of a record without grooves and if you don't have one the Ghost Busters white stay puff album B side track is empty. Then I attach the protective plastic guard that came with the cartridge back on to the cart. Apply a bit of liquid detergent under the guard to reduce friction and lower the arm onto the record. Adjust VTA positioning arm in the middle of the track. Why, cause you don't want the arm slightly pulling in any direction. The point is having a balanced arm. I saw an old audiophile in Germany do this and I was skeptical until I heard the difference. But what people hear is subjective to how people need to do things.
So dude, I'm DJ Cool Ray......you can ask me anything, like anytime!
I also use the side of a record without grooves and if you don't have one the Ghost Busters white stay puff album B side track is empty. Then I attach the protective plastic guard that came with the cartridge back on to the cart. Apply a bit of liquid detergent under the guard to reduce friction and lower the arm onto the record. Adjust VTA positioning arm in the middle of the track. Why, cause you don't want the arm slightly pulling in any direction. The point is having a balanced arm. I saw an old audiophile in Germany do this and I was skeptical until I heard the difference. But what people hear is subjective to how people need to do things.
So dude, I'm DJ Cool Ray......you can ask me anything, like anytime!
WaynerN
Addicted Member
I have a Sony PS-X7 and also had a PS-X5. I also use a blank disc to set anti-skating. With both turntables VTF set at 1.6 grams and using the blank disc method to set the anti-skate, the dial ended up on the exact numbers described by the owners manual; in other words the dial ended up at 1.6. 2 out of 2 tables behaving this way is not very scientific, but I'm betting the 1 to 1 ratio is going to be really close.
Wayner
Wayner
