VPI 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.

Maczurak: Your post confirms exactly what I am saying (however inelegantly) about the VPI anti-skate devise--that it is poorly designed. The mere fact that you (like myself) had to "play with it...for the past several months" and have had to modify both the devise itself and the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer suggests that something is truly amiss. I applaud your persistence but (respectfully) suggest that you remove the devise, twist the wire and see whether you have really gained anything for all your trouble. This devise is for "tweakers" who like to play around with their equipment--a legitimate pursuit for sure. But if you are (like me) part of the "set it and forget it" crowd I'd avoid the anti-skate like the plague.

Actually, I have been optimizing the AS these past months to achieve the best sonic characteristics from my setup. During the beginning of the process, this also included other tonearm setup parameters. Thanks to all who contributed to the ZYX cartridge optimizing threads; your comments were of great help.

Even if the tonearm had a ‘dial’ to adjust the AS, I still would be optimizing the setting. Would it have taken this long? That’s hard to say as I make an adjustment and enjoy listening to the music, then may not play LPs again for many days.

What I describe in the previous post is most likely what I will be using long term; the AS device attached like in the photo without any washers on the horizontal arm and the line attached to the top of the vertical arm. Have a look at the VPI web site as they have several pictures from different angles.

I have tried disengaging the AS device with and without the wire twist. I think I will keep the AS device engaged with the minimal amount of AS it now provides. Like Stringreen, I prefer the AS engaged for the reasons he describes. Thanks Stringreen for confirming what I was hearing in my system.