Is my anti-skating too strong.

Here's my take on a/s.   I have a VPI 10 with 2nd pivot/Winfield cartridge.   I was very careful to dial in the a/s using various methods, but got a compromise that I thought was good.  A few days ago, I got a couple of Schumann resonators which really opened up my system.   Now, I hear a resonance with the a/s set that disappeared when I removed the a/s altogether.  The clarity certainly improved.  It may be VPI's means to apply force...weight with articulated arm attached to the arm tube with a string. 

mijostyn,

I agree that if horizontal mass is high enough, it raises concern with very low frequency resonance.  I was just pointing out what is the theory behind the anisotropic arms.  As long as the bass frequencies are above the low frequency resonant point, those arms should work as intended, at least in theory.  The theory also only works if the bass is mastered in mono so there is no vertical modulation for those frequencies.  Some mastering engineers say they do blend bass to mono, but, others say they do not.  

What is your personal experience with either the Schroder LT or the Reed arm?  Do you know how much the LT costs?  I once inquired about the Reed, but, I lost interest when I found out it cost about $18,000 (two and a half years ago).  I am assuming the LT is not cheap; my friend's Schroder arm was quite expensive (but exquisitely constructed).

Hello UDOG.  As you may have guessed by now, there is some controversy about anti-skate force! I did not read all the responses, but they quickly deteriorated into petty squabbling and personal put downs. I am sorry for that nonsense. The term "anti-skate" gives you a clue. The arm is being pushed toward the center of the record by the spiral nature of the groove. Let's pretend the record is smooth as ice; if we push a skater, he/she continues to move even after we stop pushing. The skater coasts forward with only the friction of the skate upon the ice to slow that motion. The spiral groove pushes the mass of the arm and cartridge constantly and the arm "coasts" as well. So there is a force pushing against the inner wall of the groove - the "skating" force. The pitch of the groove varies, sad fact, so adjusting instant by instant to balance the skating force with the force of the outer groove wall against the stylus is not possible, but we can shoot for an average. Record playing is an expensive process and we want to minimize the wear and tear on the record groove and the stylus. Here's how to make the adjustment. (The blank groove record is a great idea!) Put the arm over the record about halfway across, the cueing arm holding it just above the record's surface. Notice the position of the cantilever with relation to the front of the cartridge. It should look centered. Now lower the stylus into the groove. The arm was not moving and the groove will accelerate it toward the spindle. Notice the cantilever's movement and recovery. Count to five, giving time for the acceleration to occur, and note the position of the cantilever. Is it still centered? So you can see this process in action, put the "anti-skate" setting at either extreme and watch what happens. You want to set the 'anti-skate' control so that the cantilever stays centered while the record plays. A set of close-up reading glasses from the drug store may help. Get the cheap ones with the wire frames. Keep Smiling!

The method of using an entire unmodulated side of a record is akin to aligning a vehicle using a perfectly flat road, (good luck with that).  There are dynamics involved in all 3 dimensions.
The starting point would best be the test record and then by musical records.  It will change from record to record but it would be unreasonable to "test" and catalog each one for adjustment.

Thanks to everyone that helped educate this forum on the math and physics related to anti-skate. Hopefully we can all agree anti-skate exists. Question is how is the best way to set it. Not sure there is a best way.
 I use the following methods.
1. Use a blank test album. This will get you into the ballpark. Problem with this method is you can only use the blank portion of the disc 1 maybe 2 times, do to micro grooves forming.
2. Use a test album with a modulated signal, adjust as needed.
3. Play an album and look at how your cartridge is tracking.
4. Listen to music and try to trust your ears.
If you have test equipment, oscilloscope, distortion meter and other equipment there are a few test albums out there you can use.
Again thanks to all for the education.
joe