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D. ANTI-SKATING:
REMEMBER: A 10.5” ARM NEEDS VERY LITTLE ANTI-SKATING FORCE
Anti-skating is one of the least understood forces acting on a tonearm. Skating force is
created by friction between the stylus and the record, causing a force vector in a
direction towards the center of the record when the headshell of the tonearm has an
offset angle. Putting a stylus down on a flat, groove less record will cause the arm to
move toward the center of the record. Arm manufacturers have tried to compensate
for this force, but that is impossible because the force is constantly changing as the
music and velocity change.
VPI has conducted careful listening tests and determined that every tonearm we tried
sounded better with its mechanical anti-skating disabled and the tracking force very
slightly increased.
VPI has a unique solution to anti-skating: the coiled wire of the JMW Memorial Tonearm
acts as a spring and pushes the arm back without affecting the sound quality.
You now have the option of using a mechanical anti-skate for those that want it.
If you try adjusting the anti-skate with a groove less record, you will ruin the twist
in the tonearm wire and void your warranty. Do this with the mechanical anti-skate
if you want that much anti-skate.
IF ADDITIONAL ANTI-SKATE IS NEEDED FOR WORKING WITH TEST RECORDS YOU CAN
GO TO THE MECHANICAL ANTI-SKATE SUPPLIED.
E. ARM HEIGHT:
Place a record on the turntable. Loosen the two setscrews in the base of the arm
(right side and rear of base). Lower the arm onto the record and make the arm tube
parallel to the record surface by rotating the wheel with the 4 prongs sticking out.
This is a good initial setting. You may wish to vary it depending on the cartridge you
are using and or the particular record being played.
