Are you using anti-skating or not

I use test records with increasing modulation to set antiskating at a point where both channels track evenly. Use of some antiskating ALWAYS improves tracking ability in the arms I've dealt with.

But, using this method I almost always end up applying much less antiskating force than the manufacturer recommends. I am frequently near the lowest setting on whatever scale the arm supplies. This has been true with several Vector arms, Graham 1.5t, Graham 2.2, Graham Phantom, SME 209, and a Roksan arm.

Hi Pops, I was only making the point that not only do I not currently use any AS, I also have found that I can reduce VTF. This is in contrast to some earlier comments about needing to increase VTF with less AS. My point is, this ain't necessarily so.

If a tonearm/cart can provide playback with no mis-tracking then why apply AS? Sure there is a force vector component in that direction. But if the magnitude of the force is not sufficient to cause mis-tracking, why apply AS? If a tonearm/cart can provide playback with much less VTF than even the manufacturer recommends with no mis-tracking, then why apply more than is necessary?

What is right and what is wrong? Your arm/cart will tell you. Listen to them! If there is a problem they will tell you. If there is no problem, why force the issue? Just my current opinion on this subject based on what I hear in my system.

But then there is the question of tone control. I'm still working this one out for myself, but as of today I don't think AS and VTF should be used as tone adjustments although we all know that there is a range that will affect this. Even if these parameters are used to change the impact, tone quality, etc., this is going to be subjective as we all have different sonic priorities. Again, not necessarily a right/wrong answer.

Anti-what? I've got a tangential arm.

Good one Satch.

Dear Satch: Good " move " but as you know nothing is perfect and the tangential arm has its own " drawbacks " on performance.

Well this is not the time/thread to speak about.

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.