Are you using anti-skating or not

I do not use anti-skate... Not only does my VPI 10.5 sound better with no anti-skate, but if I don't install the anti-skate device, it sounds even better. I also have a Rega that works better with no anti-skate, and the a/s defeated.

>>but you will need to use a higher-than-optimum VTF or you must tolerate occasional mistracking.<<

Wrong.

I use no anti-skating with any combination of 5 tonearms and 14 cartridges.

Don't need excessive VTF and there is no mis-tracking.

However, you do need a very precise alignment. This is critical.

Audiofeil...Evidently your cartridges work OK with non-vertical VTF.

I am running a Graham Phantom with a ZYX airy 3 and i have the antiskate set to zero. This does not mean i have no antiskate the weight is still there just moved as far in as possible so still a little bit of antiskate. I found once i used the Mint Tractor and my alignment was as close to perfect as i can get i was able to reduce my antiskate setting to zero. I tried removing the weight but it didn't sound right.
Todd

It's impossible to set appropriate antiskate for each record, at every point of the record. I've found that a (very) small amount of antiskate is a good compromise.

And no, there are no tracking issues, and I don't set VTA "higher than optimum".

I currently own 11 arms, and 5 TTs....