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HFNRR Test Record anti-skating tracks

I just bought a slightly used Benz Ruby 2 cartridge from a reliable source and installed it in my linear-tracking Eminent Technology ET-2 tonearm and SOTA Star Sapphire turntable.  A classic analog front end.  I set up the arm/cartridge very carefully, and this is my second go round with doing so with this 'table. 

After leveling the turntable so the cartridge remains stationery in the blank area between tracks, in the middle of the HFNRR Test Record, I played Band 6, which contains a mono 300 Hz tone.  The instructions say to listen for any difference between the channels to show whether the anti-skating is correctly set.  Of course, with a linear-tracking turntable the only anti-skating adjustment consists of having the turntable perfectly level, which I also check with a bubble level.

On this band of the test LP, both channels sounded the same, but there was similar distortion on each side.  The instructions for this band go on to say "If there is any hint of instability (distorted or buzzing sound) on one channel or the other then adjust the bias compensation accordingly."  (Apparently "bias" is the British term for
"anti-skating.").  So if there is distortion in both channels, what does that mean?  I'm confident the anti-skating/turntable level is correctly set.  On my old Shure Era III test record, the cartridge didn't do great on the trackability tests, but the only cartridge of mine that ever did was the Shure V-15 Type III (imagine that).  The Ruby 2 could only pass the first two test levels before there would be some slight mistracking.

On conventional records the cartridge generally sounds fine, very similar to the Monster Cable Alpha Genesis 1000 that preceded it.  Both cartridges seemed to mistrack one crescendo in "Meditation 2" from the Larajii Day of Radiance Ambient 3 LP, which sounds OK on an old Nakamichi cassette recording I made from this Japanese-pressed LP.  Having made the cassette dub, I rarely played the LP. (FWIW, a different pressing of this unusual recording is on the TAS Super Disc list.)

I explained the HFNRR record results with the seller, who collects cartridges, and he suggested increasing the tracking force.  I have it on 2 gm now; 2.2 gm is the upper limit for "recommended tracking force."

Would you agree to increase the VTF, or should I just ignore the test record result? I am inclined to try it, at least to see if the Ambient 3 track will play better.  But it is laborious to adjust the VTF with the ET-2 arm.

128x128drmuso
drmuso's avatar
drmuso OP
110 posts
 

Thank you both for your prompt responses.

@lewm Your (1)--isn’t that cartridge overhang? I did check that with the cartridge alignment tool provided with the ET-2.

(2) You are correct about the type of level I used, so I just rechecked it with an 8" linear level, and it looks good in both planes.

(3) The ET-2 has a horizontal mass of 30 g, vertical mass of 7 g. I guess as the arm traverses the platter there would be some slight effect, but the benefit of the vacuum hold-down of the platter (and benefits of the turntable suspension) is probably more audible and worthwhile, in my estimation. Most mildly warped records (talk about "relative motion between the stylus and the platter"!) can be completely flattened, and such warps probably have more of an effect than the turntable suspension. The hold-down also reduces resonances from the vinyl. Physics is not my strongest subject, so I’ll admit to some handicap in evaluating such things. Generally, playback of music has always sounded great, and I haven’t noticed a systematic decrease in audio quality at certain points of most records, which I imagine would be the issue if there were serious effects from the interaction of the linear arm and the SOTA suspension.  Also, the HFNRR Test Record has the same tracking tests at disparate points on the record, and I can check that the distortion is the same with all of them.

@stringreen Thanks for your offer, but I’m quite far from AZ. But also curious what a Fozgometer is/does.

 

benjie
329 posts
 
drmuso OP

I would suggest that you look into a tool made by Wally Tools...The WallySkater... for setting up anti-skate on your turntable. The tool has the ability to be used with linear tracking tonearms. There are many videos on the subject of Anti-Skate at the website and on why test records are not the best choice for setting anti-skate. There is a wealth of information at the website. If you have any questions, J.R. would be very happy to discuss any setup issues you may have. His knowledge on tonearm and cartridge setup is amazing.

  The Fozgometer is used for setting up Azimuth for your cartridge.

lewm
13,112 posts
 

Guys, it’s a linear tracking tonearm (the ET2). A properly set up LT tonearm generates no skating force. Zero. And anyway as regards the Foz; it’s for azimuth adjustment, is it not?

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cleeds
5,960 posts
 

Given the results, I wouldn't hesitate to increase VTF to the top of the manufacturer's range.

benjie
329 posts
 

J.R. has a few seminars on You Tube on the subject  and speaks of how important it is to have proper anti-skate on linear tonearms. He also speaks on the pitfalls of increasing VTA  beyond the midpoint of a cartridge's recommended range. J.R. Is one of the most knowledgeable experts in this field. You should take some time to listen to what he has to say on the subject.

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