If it sounds 'great', everything is ok?

lewm

"Just one teeny, weeny thing: Back up the thread, Elliott recommended to set AS to equal VTF or some high percentage of VTF."

lewm,

either someone else, or maybe I worded something wrong,

but I use the Blank LP method, don’t even think about VTF, just start AS at zero, spin platter manually (easy with direct drive) watch the arm pull in (if it doesn’t there is something wrong), add anti-skate a bit at a time, checking in the two approximate null point locations, and set it with no outward force, consistently floating, or if needed to avoid ’out’ set it for a speck of inward pull, rather than a spec of out.

I don't look at VTA before or after, just the actual results.

I re-check perhaps monthly, to confirm both VTF, AS, and if removable headshell: view Azimuth from front with mirror method.

Dear Elliott, I cannot find where you might have written about the amount of AS relative to VTF, and I do see where you described how you arrive at a suitable setting, using a grooveless area on vinyl. Your method as described would be unlikely to arrive at an amount of AS very near to or equal to VTF. So, mea culpa. My mistake.

I would additionally remark that since the skating force is a result of friction between stylus and groove, I would prefer to set AS while the stylus is in the groove, because the friction force in a groove is likely to be different from the friction force on a flat area of vinyl. And I do it by ear not by watching the arm move toward the spindle. However, I know there is a school of thought, including some highly respected audio professionals, that recommends your method, so I am in no position to say I am right and all of them are wrong.

@dweller 

Ha! I have a habit of touching my drivers as I occasionally walk by my speakers that have built-in powered sub woofers  One night I just wasn't getting the magic out of my stereo rig and walked by one of my tower speakers, touched the woofer and sure enough, not working!! Had it repaired and now back in the magic

lewm

I also finalize by ear, using my favorite CD and LP versions of this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_in_San_Francisco

CD version 1st; side 2, last 2 tracks: all 3 guitarists play, strong L/C/R separation.

Now LP: same tracks: refine AntiSkate if/as needed to move center guitar l or r to be centered, also hear balance of l and r guitars, also hear balance of audience cheers

I've not noticed that AS has much affect on the apparent L to R location of images on an LP, but I confess I never paid much attention to that when setting AS, because imaging is more about azimuth adjustment, in my mind.  No argument here.