VPI anti-skate device

No Dodgealum..wrong advice. Although the twist method may be correct when new, eventually the wire looses its tension. To be truthful, Harry likes no anti-skate at all, however, I have found the VPI device audibly helpful. I had the 9 Sig, and now have exchanged it for the 10.5i which because it's longer, should have less need for anti=skate..and yet... Notice Arnold the the device should be adjusted. The unit has many adjustments to provide optimum Anti=Skate. Don't just put it on..adjust it to its optimum

Steve I have a Scoutmaster with the add on device which I have yet to use, as Stringreen has stated the wire will wear out that is when I will start to use the add on anti-skate device.

Hmm. The wire will loose it's tension. Nope. Now, let's deal with the devise in question. The weight Harry has chosen to use is far too heavy for the application and therefore does not allow for the fine adjustment of anti-skate as needed in this application. Just try sliding the weight up and down the shaft to see what I mean. Also, the string which provides the tension is the incorrect length and therefore does not provide proper anti-skate tension throughout the arm travel and has a tendency to flop the whole assembly over when the arm goes into the lead out grooves. I experimented with several different lengths to no avail. (Basically, there is no "correct" length for the string line) Listen, I went all over the map on this thing until I finally got an admission from someone at VPI that the thing was useless and that the wire twist is the preferred (though flawed) means of applying anti-skate force (which is itself an ambiguous phenomenon) to the JMW9 tonearm.

I am wondering how so many Audiogoners have the definitive answer. Dodgealum - the word "Nope" should have been written - "I don't think so". Nordost is silver wire - a very soft metal. Indeed after a time - not too long either, the tension of that wire will be compromised. Also = the weight that is decried "too heavy" is carried by that little arm. Most of the time, most of that weight is on the pivot. I am tired of quibbling. The end result is what matters, and to me, it just sounds better with the anti-skate attached. ..maybe a decrease is vibration, maybe effective anti-skating, maybe trolls.

I have been playing with the anti-skate for the past several months with my 9 Signature tonearm. I am not using any twisting of the tonearm leads.

This is a picture of how I have the AS setup on my TT. I do not have an original at this time so refer to the link. I find this positioning works best as you can control the amount of swing of the device. I don’t think I would ever configure the AS device as pictured in the Elusivedisc information.

VPI anti-skate

Since this picture was taken, I have removed all the rubber washers on the horizontal post as I found they added too much AS. If you have the metal weight on the AS device, I would remove it as this provides WAY too much AS and find some of the washers locally or contact VPI and have some mailed to you.

If you want additional pictures, let me know and I will snap a few more.

Stringreen, as far as I know, the Nordost tonearm wire is silver plated copper with their proprietary mono-filament and FEP tube insulation. I have not found any mention of the tonearm wire being solid silver. Regardless, I do not want to put any additional twists on the wire.