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Setting Antiskate - visually

I just installed a Kleos onto my Nott 294 with stock arm. For setting antiskate, the Lyra instructions say to observe the cartridge and cantilever as it settles into the record grove - if the cartridge settles to the right or left, adjust the antiskate so it remains vertical.

Well, this is a really tough thing to observe. But, after raising and lowering the tonearm several times with the lever (not by hand), I could watch the cantilever literally walk to the right or the left across the record - one or two or three grooves at a time, and easily observe the skate effect. Just to the left or right of the space between songs provides a good fixed reference spot on the record. Adjusting the antiskate weight to its max and min setting had a clear observable effect on its behavior.

It seems to me that this "method" is consistent with Lyra�s instructions, but does avoid the skating effects, if any, imposed by the rotation of the record. So, has any one used this �method� and/or have any comments?
poonbean

Showing 2 responses by moonglum

moonglum
619 posts
 
Poon...something which may help : There is a quite a lengthy discussion on this very subject (and method) here on A'gon :
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1292611797&&&/how-do-you-determine-anti-skate-settings

To be honest, I think an HFN/RR test disc will get you to the same point as the "visual-offset-on-dropping-the-needle" but without the grief and the strained eyes :)

As an aside I've found that azimuth variations had minimal effect on my final antiskate setting (I performed before & after checks with +/- azimuth settings).
Cheers.........M
moonglum
619 posts
 
Regarding bias test tones on the HFN/RR : It may be useful to note that each tone isn't just continuous but fades out at the end? I found with one particular cart that with a "centred" tone I could hear the tone "pulling" to left or right after fadeout if the bias wasn't right. This cart was sensitive to the extent that merely breathing on the control was enough to create a difference. Thankfully this is not the norm and others (MCs & MIs) respond differently but it may be worth a try?
My approach is simple and I look to minimise perceived edginess in either channel until an acceptable sweet spot is acquired on typical musical programme.
By sheer coincidence, when settled, the cantilever of my current cart (Delos) shows no sign of deflection when entering the groove.
Hope this is helpful...............M.
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