Regarding the fluid level... If I look into the well with the arm removed, my fluid level is about 1/2 way up the cone before the shape turns into the pin. Remember however, that all cartridges are different. I am using the Benz Ebony LP. Listen for yourself. The fluid is easily removed with a Q-tip.
Regarding Jamnperry's question. There are many differences. When I was playing an Aaron Neville album, and with A/S, his voice was huge, spreading the entire area between the 2 speakers. Without the anti-skate, his voice was centered in 3 dimensions exactly between the 2 speakers. I sensed a kind of blurring with A/S that was cleaning up without it. My wife who is not an audiophile, knew immediately that no a/s and damped had a much more "lifelike" sound (as she described it). I suspect that although the A/S gizmo does its job as intended, it also provides a bit of damping to the stylus which simply may be too much in my system. This would explain the improvement using it with the arm not damped.
If you are using A/S and prefer it, there is NO chance of screwing up your records with its use. (don't drop the stylus on the record, don't drop the record on the floor, etc.)
Regarding Jamnperry's question. There are many differences. When I was playing an Aaron Neville album, and with A/S, his voice was huge, spreading the entire area between the 2 speakers. Without the anti-skate, his voice was centered in 3 dimensions exactly between the 2 speakers. I sensed a kind of blurring with A/S that was cleaning up without it. My wife who is not an audiophile, knew immediately that no a/s and damped had a much more "lifelike" sound (as she described it). I suspect that although the A/S gizmo does its job as intended, it also provides a bit of damping to the stylus which simply may be too much in my system. This would explain the improvement using it with the arm not damped.
If you are using A/S and prefer it, there is NO chance of screwing up your records with its use. (don't drop the stylus on the record, don't drop the record on the floor, etc.)