VPI Scout setup after watching Frefmer's video

Im sorry not anti skate, "azimuth ring" is what I meant to say, my bad.

Last Lemming,
Because, as Brf said, the CI allows very minute changes to both the VTF and azimuth. I suppose the ring is theoretically supposed to enable small adjustments, but since it's much heavier than the CI, it is not as easy in practice. Also, I personally did not like using the ring for setting the azimuth. You have to loosen the screws, and I found that twisting it back and forth to achieve minute changes would cause the ring to slide down after a while and affect tonearm balance.

Look, VPI arms can certainly be adjusted with incredible precision without the CI, the longer you've had one the better you're going to get at adjusting it, most likely. But the general consensus is that VPI arms are rather finicky to adjust. The CI simply allows fast, headache free, minute adjustments, which can make or break the sound. I don't claim the thing is absolutely necessary and essential if you own a VPI table, but its utility cannot be disputed.

Actusreus....I can dispute its utility. It is not needed. Adjustments can be made even quicker and with greater accuracy without it. I do it all the time. If you like it .....oh well its like arguing with a brick wall.....

Stringreen,
You've got to give it a rest, man. I never said the CI was "needed"; in fact, I stated it was not necessary or essential. Re-read my posts. But it is very useful in my opinion and its usefulness cannot be disputed. So right back at you about arguing with a brick wall. And why are you so vehemently arguing against it when you've never even used it?!!!

Let's just agree to disagree on its utility and let others decide for themselves at this point. I think we've both said enough on the subject.

I use the anti-skate device with one rubber ring as I decided not to twist the Valhalla wire. I hear the difference when it is not adjusted properly. The third post answers your question on disabling AS when using the wire twist method.

01-11-13: Stringreen

I presumed those with inadequate knowledge of VPI arm setup procedures (that the rear counterweight is easily moved around its center without damage, and that the internal counterweight is easily adjusted via the Allen wrench inserted into the back of the arm) would appreciate the knowledge herein provided.

Stringreen: I believe you have inadequate knowledge of the differences between JMW-9 series of arms. The JMW-9 (JMW-9t?) does NOT have the set screw in the rear of the armtube. I suspect it was released this way to meet a price point.

I started with a Scout TT having the JMW-9 tonearm. I found it to be virtually impossible to optimize both VTF and azimuth as the counter weight is used for both. If the drill press wasn't buried in the garage, I would have drilled and tapped a screw into the counter weight for fine VTF adjustment. At that time, the CounterIntitive was not available.

When I found out from Mike that the JMW-9 Signature armtube has a set screw at the rear, I swapped tonearms without hesitation. After the JMW-9 experience, I will never again own a tonearm that does not have discrete adjustments of all parameters.

If I still had a JMW-9 tonearm, I would either have tapped a screw on the rear somewhere or be using the CounterIntitive to make adjusting the azimuth and VTF easier. With the JMW-9 Signature, I do not require the CounterIntitive product as it has independent control of all setting. With a very light touch, I am able to adjust azimuth with changing VTF.