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Anti skating SME V

I am using my SME20/2A with a Dynavector XV-1s cartridge and it sounds good.

I have a question though. The cartridge tend to skip a bit (towards the spindle) when lowered on the run-in groove.
I have tried to set the anti skating to maximum (3) and this helps, but doesn't eliminate the problem. I have to be most careful when lowering the arm to avoid skipping. I also found that playing a bit with the position of the din-connection, turning it anti clockwise seen from the top, might have helped (not sure), but did not eliminate the problem either. Is there a special position for this connection that is preferable? Will the position of the cable affect the anti skating in any way? I have tried to lower the cartridge on a blank record and the arm goes quite fast towards the spindel even with max anti skating (never experience this problem on my Dynavector arm). I know this is not the correct way to set anti skating, but it should give an indication.

Anybody?
fosse
mjglo
127 posts
 
I would check the level of the table and VTF like others have said. I have a SME IV.Vi and set the anti-skate to 1/2 of the tracking force of 1.7, so mine is set to about .85 or even less, my scale goes from zero to three. I set the needle down quite close to the starting track to avoid any skipping but I'd say this is a common practice on all TT's. I have no tracking problems and it sounds great.

Good luck,
Mike
wntrmute2's avatar
wntrmute2
188 posts
 
Check the position of the tonearm while at rest. There is a template for this. If the arm is not at the right angle in relation to the table, anti-skate will be screwed up.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,371 posts
 
Another thing that you should check is whether the cartridge is absolutely horizontal. If it is leaning one way or the other, the stylus will not enter the groove properly and will slip. When I leveled the cartridge on my system, it catches the groove with ease...every time...on every record.
fosse OP
47 posts
 
Thanks a lot everybody.

The table is in level, and I have adjusted the suspension to make sure sub chassis, top chassis and platter is in level. I will try to lower the stylus closer to the first track, the thing is I have never had this issue on my other turntable (Avid Acutus Reference SP/Dynavector DV507MKII) neither with the XV-1s or the Jan Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold (I will try the JA on the SME soon).
My SME V comes with detachable headshell, so I have the opportunity to adjust aziumuth, but it doesn't seems to help or worsen this issue.
I have also played with different momentum when tightening the different bolts and yes, the arm is resting in the right position. I have been careful when tightening the bolts making sure the pillar is vertical (if you tighten one bolt to much before tighten the other after adjusting VTA it's possible to get the arm out of level).
I will check out the cable dressing again.
audioquest4life
724 posts
 
I thought all SME V's were fixed headshells! The SME IV.V has a removeable headshell. Also, check the fluid in the damper.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life
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