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Warning: Linn tonearm anti-skate not accurate

Hi,

After repeatedly having problem, including ruining a perfectly aged Koetsu Urushi, I found with the aid of HFNRR that the Linn Ekos antiskating is not accurate.

With 3 different cartridges tracking between 1.7 - 2.0g, the optimal anti-skatings were found to be between setting the tonearm anti-skating dial to "2.4-2.6 g". I checked with the anti-skating setting tracks on HFNRR test record (most MC can cover the first 2 tracks, but Shure V15 can go through 3 tracks).

After using my cartridge on the Ekos for about one year, playing about 100 hours, at 1.9g VTF, anti-skating dialed to '1.9g', my cantilever was slanted about 5 degree to the left (view towards the rear of tonearm), indicating undercompensation.

Another fellow Linn users told me he found same thing with Akito tonearm and also had a slanted cantilever.

So please check your setting before ruining another cartridge.

www.extremephono.com
extremephono

Showing 2 responses by extremephono

extremephono OP
123 posts
 
I read you old post, don't see what was counterintuitive to you? Using a grooveless track is not accurate and should undercompensate due to the reduced friction (hence force).

The anti-skate is a force related to the friction, offset by the angle.

However, on Rega RB250, the antiskate adjustment is so off, that I cannot make any statement on it. I have to add a cotter pin to compensate the RB250 just to get started...
extremephono OP
123 posts
 
Jayboard, your post referred to RB250. I think I can explain the counterintuitive observation was caused by RB250 having too much positive anti-skating (outward), even when set to nothing on the dial, it exhibits outward push.

Therefore, settings are likely opposite because you were probably trying to 'reduce' rather than 'increase' the anti-skating force to balance the grooveless track.
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