Setting Anti-Skate on VPI Fatboy Tonearm


Greetings Everyone!

I have a VPI Classic 4 turntable and just replaced the 12" 3D unipivot tonearm with a 12" Fatboy gimbaled.  Unfortunately, I have never been very comfortable with the anti-skate adjustment on these tonearms.  I use the HiFi News test record but always hear a buzz in the right channel at the 16 dB level and above on the 300 Hz test tracks.  The whole wire twisting thing is an utter joke, and the fishing string mechanical do-hickey does not provide a consistent anti-skate force across the record.  I'm sure I must not be using it correctly, and would love to see a video of how the anti-skate is properly setup on these tonearms.

Greatly appreciate your input, advice and suggestions.

Cheers,
TMQ
qchorn

Showing 1 response by tablejockey

VPI anti skate.....don't bother per VPI(HW)
You absolutely need A/S per Soundsmith.

You can drive yourself mad worrying which suggestion is correct.

I can't hear a difference either way on my Classic. I've gone periods with and without.

Following SS advice, you will have to use considerable weight to slow the arm down at the run out groove. Those little orings are too light.

The VPI setup is low tech. No AS is perfect anyway. It needs to be a live system monitoring and correcting itself as a record plays.

That said, I use a compromise setting of about  1.5 grams. Doesn't appear to slow the arm down, but it's something to slow down the uneven stylus wear?

Enjoy the music, at least it's not affected by what's going on now.