skipping problem - Marantz TT-15S1

03-01-07: Storguso
Trust me, i have adjusted the anti-skate as far as it will go. It helped, but didn't solve the problem.
Storguso

If you are positive the arm lift is free of the arm in the down position, and the arm moves freely on the arm pivot then it sure sounds like the problem is too much anti skate applied.
Read this review article on the TT.
Here is a paragraph from the article about the anti-skate mechanism.

"The anti skate is done by a magnet system which in my first sample was installed backwards, reversing the direction of the anti skate torque. The screw-in stationary magnet should attract the front magnet on the arm and repel the back one. Try this with the stationary magnet not yet installed to be sure things are right."

Yeah, i tried it with the screw completely out, and it didn't solve the problem.

I talked to Marantz today (after being on hold for over an hour) and the dude on the phone said it was most likely a defective cartridge or tonearm, but they couldn't deal with me directly. I need to call the dealer and switch them out.

sounds like the bearing has a burr on it and is sticking.

Can you explain that further?

sure. If the cartridge was mounted and torque put on the arm bearing they usually catch a flat spot (this is why linn suggests mounting cartriges with the arm removed from the table) once there is a flat spot the bearing "sticks at the flat spot