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Ancient AR Turntable with NO anti skate

A friend had me over to listen to his restored late 60's Acoustic Research turntable.  While listening, I noticed that the somewhat awkward looking tonearm had no anti skate.  Looking closely at the stylus assembly, it wasn't drifting or pulling toward the center spindle.  It seemed to track clean and true through the entire LP.  The arm is the original stock AR arm and couldn't be more that 8.5" or 9" in length.  I am just curious how AR pulls that off with such a short arm?  I have seen several 12" arms (Audio Technica for example) that dispense with anti skate completely but never a smaller one.  By the way, the table sounded wonderful and the cartridge was a Denon 103R.

Thanks,

Norman

 
normansizemore
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,478 posts
 
No Way.....   There is no unintended compensation introduced in my arm.... I am using an Ortofon Winfield - normal compliance.I have validation with my finding from golden ear pro reviewers who also say the a/s is unneeded... blurs things....anti music reproduction.   Use it if you want, but make sure your arm/cartridge is set up properly for your evaluation.....and enjoy
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,729 posts
 
Terry, thanks for the 'bridge' *G*.  It's still 'a bridge too far' for the present...pardoning my 'punishing' you. ;)

But I'll go give it a stare.  Sounds like my sort of device, devious though it may be on some levels.  I'm not opposed to giving it a DIY approach either, since I build speakers (drivers, too) for my amusement....as for that....

If you Google 'DIY Walsh speakers', I'm on pg. 1 in both the links and the pics link.  So far, cheaper than bars or chasing the females...both of which might trigger demise for the typical reasons. *L*  A tonearm is one of the things on my 'bucket list' anyway...
normansizemore OP
601 posts
 
Terry9

"So I demand, and get, minimal vibration and minimal radiated EM field. And precision manufacturing is pretty cheap and easy with these puny little things."

There is no audible EM field or audible vibration rumble etc from any of my idler drive tables.  They are dead silent. What you do get is a sense of drive, pace and power with idler drive that you can't get with belt driven tables. (Good direct drive can also give you a simlar
experience as idler drive).  You have to spend huge, (walker audio, rockport, continuum ) money to get that from belt drive.

I certainly wasn't getting it from my Thorens 166, Linn LP12, or Ariston RD11.  Yes, my Linn had $$$$$$$ in upgrades. I swear my dealer
had it more than me. (I eventually bought a Linn turntable Jig)

Norman 

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