Antiskating .... The last analog secret

We're on the same track as you Dan, I've removed the entire AS mechanism from the arm, back to the bearing frame, and noted a small improvement.

Also agree with your observations about the weather and its effects. VTF requirements correlate with changes in temperature and humidity. So do AS requirements.

This is predictable from the natural behavior of elastomeric polymers (and thanks to Paul, who did predict it) and was the reason I began experimenting with extremely low AS in the first place. Our results might resemble Stltrain's if we lolled about in warmer climes like his!

Yes, I do live in AZ (Tucson) however the temp/humidity may or may not affect the suspension material depending on what it is (hopefully the cartridge designer/maker chose a modern polymer) but temperature will definitely affect the magnitude of the skating force because it's a factor in the coefficient of friction (between the stylus and the vinyl.) I question though how much a summer/winter temperature difference would make because it would have to represent a small percentage of the heat generated at the contact point itself. The only place for the heat to go is into the vinyl itself and I have no idea how ambient temperature affects vinyl as a thermal conductor. However, I guess as long as it's cool enough to maintain its shape and not warp, it could absorb friction heat.

There are some vinyl connoisseurs who recommend an interval of "rest" for the vinyl before repeat plays. Personally, I never found myself wondering how long it might take for my grooves to 'cool down' (as I proceed to play the same track over and over again ;-)

Dougdeacon,
I made a mistake in my last question. It is the right side the make noise first and no matter where I put the wieght it does not stop happening first.

Dan my family is set on my smoked turkeys a few time a year. I have a fryer/sea food boiling setup but have not given frying turkeys a try as of yet. I saw to many bad pictures of what can go wrong when water and hot oil mix. Yes there was supposed to be a decimal point before my numbers above, over driving my head lights again im afraid.

Guys it is not as cold here thats a given but when its hotter than a frying egg we run the A/C. The temperature in my home as in yours stays within 68 to 75. And theres no humidity along with that.

The bottom line is enjoy the music first. In the mean time when you can as im sure most of you have already done make those very small movements and listen a while before making another move. Its quite an enlightening experience for me. I most certainly was making to large of a move on most adjustments. Like i said the graph opened my ears to what small moves are and how easy you could miss the best setting available.

Ah,well. I'll let someone with more knowledge and a stronger desire to know than I figure out why our results may differ so much. Even though we are using the same arm, similar cartridges and even more similar tables, there are other variables present that may be influencing our results. Of course in my case it could well be that my ears are up me own arse, but I have full confidence in what Paul and Doug hear because I've listened with them several times and have a good idea of what they mean when they describe something to me. Not saying anyone is right or wrong here, just that I have a good reference for communicating with them.

It seems to me that the more we discuss this issue, the less we come to any consensus other than the usual "listen for yourself" and "trust your own ears."

Wow, Mike! No humidity, that's quite an A/C unit you have there! Just kidding, I know what you mean. We keep our house between 65-70 all year round as well. The relative humidity in my room is generally around 50% in the warmer months even with the A/C going. Yes, I'm part of the small population of New Englanders who has central air and uses it. I lived in the south all of my life except the last 12 years so I'm familiar with the humidity levels down there. Humid, to me, means greater than about 65%. That's when I begin to get uncomfortable. Nsgarch's situation is probably different. Does it get humid in Tucson during the monsoon season?

Yes, those turkey frying movies are very impressive but they really do exaggerate the dangers. I especially liek that new cell phone commercial where the guy blows a hole in his driveway. Very funny! Other than using some common sense the only rules I know of are make sure the bird is completely thawed and don't use a bird that has been injected. I've always felt the worse part was dealing with the 5 gallons or so of cooking oil. I suppose a recycler may take it, but you still have to handle it. I won't ever do it, but I must say that when I've had fried turkey at my parents it is without a doubt the moistest bird I've ever eaten. If I was down your way I'd use that cooker for boiling bugs. Much easier and more to my tastes than fowl.