RE: AR Turntable tonearm question

Posted by Bill Way (A) on August 2, 2022 at 15:40:52

In Reply to: AR Turntable tonearm question posted by George S. Roland on August 1, 2022 at 20:29:23:

re: anti-skate
Harry Weisfeld of VPI, which makes some of the best tonearms on the planet, said that anti-skate improves tracking a bit, and hurts the sound a bit. As cartridges today track so very well, the tracking is really a non-issue. That's why VPI arms didn't have anti-skate compensation until they gave in to customer demands recently. He still urges customers to not use it, and I agree. Remember that everything on the arm resonates, so removing any inessential stuff is generally a good idea.

To test whether anti-skate helps or hurts, listen with it on for a couple weeks, then remove it for a couple weeks, then hook it back up. You may be surprised with what you hear... or not. My Hadcock 242 sounded marginally better without anti-skate, and lots better when I removed the anti-skate stuff completely.

re: AR arm
As long as you know how to free the clutch, it's not a bad arm. Some people remove the clutch completely. If not, be sure to lower the arm below the level of the record before cueing up - that disengages the clutch. (The clutch prevents the arm from hitting the record hard if you drop it.)

WW
"Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - AR Turntable tonearm question - George S. Roland 20:29:23 08/01/22 (15)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - John Elison 16:42:45 08/05/22 (2)

"piece of junk . . ". Pretty strong words John. The AR-XA tonearm is - alaskahiatt 23:05:29 08/07/22 (1)

notable hallmark of progress - Story 03:34:12 08/08/22 (0)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - 6bq5 10:23:47 08/05/22 (0)

that design goes way back... - Story 13:24:01 08/04/22 (0)

Edgar Villchur's advice on anti-skating - Lew 09:09:27 08/04/22 (1)

RE: Edgar Villchur's advice on anti-skating - JonM 09:18:14 08/05/22 (0)

always strive for the best possible arm - beach cruiser 23:09:42 08/02/22 (0)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - Bill Way 15:40:52 08/02/22 (1)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - Tre' 16:25:05 08/02/22 (0)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - Basher52 09:04:10 08/02/22 (4)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - George S. Roland 14:57:37 08/02/22 (3)

AR Turntable tonearm question (cont.) - Basher52 08:00:17 08/03/22 (1)

addendum to the addendum - beach cruiser 15:27:31 08/03/22 (0)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - hahax@verizon.net 21:37:40 08/02/22 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - Bill Way 15:40:52 08/02/22 (1)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question - Tre' 16:25:05 08/02/22 (0)

RE: AR Turntable tonearm question

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