Anti-Skate::Playing LP's vs. 12

Test records will not help you set antiskate, except for playing test records. You're already using the correct method, listening to the records you actually play.

Stringreen's suggestion that you may be hearing permanent groove damage is a good possibiliity. Test for that before going nuts about A/S. Here's how. "Play" a passage with a noisy R channel by spinning the platter by hand, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y. The music will be a very LF growl but groove damage, if any, will be much sharper and crisper. There's no way you could confuse it with music, because the transients from groove damage are much faster and sharper than any music cut into a record.

If these noisy records are NOT damaged, try increasing A/S in tiny steps as you replay a noisy passage. It's BARELY possible your VTF is set right on the edge of mistracking, in which case A/S might prevent it. When you have enough A/S to balance the noise in both channels, you have enough A/S.

For checking VTF you need a balance or scale. No test record, just a scale to find out where it is and your ears listening to real music to decide where it should be.

You have good instincts, keep workiing and the sound will get better.

I would go with the manufacturers specifications, while checking with maybe the record companies that produce 45 rpm. I would also not use anti-skate(or VTF, or anything else)to correct for something else(such as channel balance). Try slightly moving anti-skate(etc.)a little until you can hear what it does. Until you can identify what it does, you are just guessing. One good way to identify that it is better(closer to correct)is: does it make you want to listen more to your records(excitement)? There is no hurry. You can sleep on it.

Hifitime: Thanks for the links. I will try what you are saying in conjunction with what Mmakshak has suggested.

Stringreen: I noticed with the Ebony, concerning VTA, my arm appears to be tipped up in the back but the playback sounds more smooth and the highs generally sound silkier then when the arm looks level. Also, it sounds like you can peer into the mix better and each instrument has more space around it and the soundstage seems deeper and reverb/echo sounds more connected to the sound generating it. Yes I love the cartridge. The value of the investment is found in getting the settings right and there is a narrow setting for the VTA. I've had it for a while and I'm just finding that out. Concerning the shape of the singles I'm trying to play, I do feel there may be some damage to them and there is nothing I can do about that.

Dougdeacon: I will try spinning the platter slowly and then determine if it's groove damage. Sounds like a great tip! Should I remove A/S for that exercise due to turning the platter slowly the centripetal force will be very low then?
I'm tracking at 1.86g and the range is 1.8-2g measured using my Acoustech Stylus Pressure Gauge.

Mmakshak: I will try what you suggested I will need to use some heavier weights and add/remove them to get a better idea of the spectrum of changes it will make. However, I feel the playback is exciting to listen to so maybe I'm in the ballpark with the anti-skate and I will determine if it's damaged grooves as Stringreen has pointed out.

I hope I addressed everyone's points and thanks for your responses and encouragements.

Should I remove A/S for that exercise due to turning the platter slowly the centripetal force will be very low then?

Hey! That seems exactly right, hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

I've posted this test multiple times since my partner thought of it several years ago, but you're the first to mention this point. You just demonstrated how good instincts lead us toward improved results with real records. Keep thinking, listening, experimenting. :-)

Hifitime, I just read your great first link, and wrote them a letter, which may help some people(I don't know how to indent, etc.). "I may have inadvertantly come to the same conclusion about dynamics, while using a different method to anti-skate. I think I used something like this: if it sounds better towards the end of a record than at the beginning, you have too much anti-skate(I've posted on Audiogon, under mmakshak, about this.). Then you reach a point(super-close to the correct anti-skate)where you have to throw out that rule, because the dynamics(I call it excitement.)dimish-along with your desire to run to the record player to listen to another lp. Also, nerver use anti-skate for other reasons-such as channel balance(Many factors affect channel balance. Why use anti-skate for this purpose?). Remember, anti-skate is a compromise, so you may have to give up the setting that makes one song on the lp sound the best. You want the setting that makes all the songs on the lp sound good."