Setting anti-skate on Audio Note Arm One

[banjoman]

Got a used Arm One recently and set it up fine and dandy but as there's a bit of distortion on inner grooves, looks like I need to tweak the anto-skate.

Since there's quite a few AN Arm One users here...How does one do this exactly?

I know its the little metal rod with the silk/nylon string mechanism. Tried gently turning the flat head of the rod to move it further in or out but not sure its moving. Dont want to push or force it in - sure I'm missing something rather obvious here.

 

[ray70]

There's a grub screw you need to loosen first before you can move the rod.

 

[banjoman]

Arrrrrr....damn! See it now.

I'm a moron and probably need glasses too.

Thanks a ton

 

[ray70]

No worries. I only know because Mr BD Audio was kind enough to talk me through the set-up when I bought my arm. It would be a lot easier if they provided instructions!

 

[BD Audio]

They do with the latest batch of arms Ray.

 

[banjoman]

No worries. I only know because Mr BD Audio was kind enough to talk me through the set-up when I bought my arm. It would be a lot easier if they provided instructions!

Makes me feel a bit better. Thanks for the help

 

[speedysteve]

This is an aside - might not be of concern to you at all.

I recently modded one of these anti-skate weights as it was about 40% too heavy to be able to get the arm/cart combo to track properly.

On the relevant section of the test record the arm just span outwards even with the weight all the way in = too much bias weight.

With the 40% reduction it was possible to get it to hold station perfectly.

AN do not apparently make lighter ones.

Recall which cart this was with - don't think it was exceptionally light or light tracking...

 

[ridley]

Hi,

I would say it's more likely an alignment issue.

Simon.

 

[browellm]

They do with the latest batch of arms Ray.

Any chance of a scan or photocopy, Jack?

 

[banjoman]

This is an aside - might not be of concern to you at all.I recently modded one of these anti-skate weights as it was about 40% too heavy to be able to get the arm/cart combo to track properly.

On the relevant section of the test record the arm just span outwards even with the weight all the way in = too much bias weight.

With the 40% reduction it was possible to get it to hold station perfectly.

AN do not apparently make lighter ones.

Recall which cart this was with - don't think it was exceptionally light or light tracking...

Thanks SpeedySteve

In case I end up with the same problem, may I ask what mod you did to replace the standard weight?

 

[f1eng]

This is an aside - might not be of concern to you at all.I recently modded one of these anti-skate weights as it was about 40% too heavy to be able to get the arm/cart combo to track properly.

On the relevant section of the test record the arm just span outwards even with the weight all the way in = too much bias weight.

With the 40% reduction it was possible to get it to hold station perfectly.

AN do not apparently make lighter ones.

Recall which cart this was with - don't think it was exceptionally light or light tracking...

Were you using one of those records with an ungrooved bit you are supposed to use to adjust bias so that the arm neither glides in or out?

If so, these give the wrong result and the "wrongness" is stylus dependant. On such a shiny bit of disc it is the tip og the stylus which drags on the record. The friction between the tip and an unmodulated surface and the modulated groove against the stylus flank is not likely to be the same. If it is less it will lead to too little bias, if it is more (not likely IMO) it will lead to too much bias.

TBH I am surprised anybody ever thought this method could work and even more surprised some test records still have a band such as this. It was pretty well known to be innaccurate when I was at Garrard nearly 40 years ago...

 

[banjoman]

Were you using one of those records with an ungrooved bit you are supposed to use to adjust bias so that the arm neither glides in or out?If so, these give the wrong result and the "wrongness" is stylus dependant. On such a shiny bit of disc it is the tip og the stylus which drags on the record. The friction between the tip and an unmodulated surface and the modulated groove against the stylus flank is not likely to be the same. If it is less it will lead to too little bias, if it is more (not likely IMO) it will lead to too much bias.

TBH I am surprised anybody ever thought this method could work and even more surprised some test records still have a band such as this. It was pretty well known to be innaccurate when I was at Garrard nearly 40 years ago...

I do have one of those records but dont use it for setting anti-skating at all. I have used the Hi Fi News Test Record on occasion.

I usually just follow recommended settings (as on Rega type arms) and just adjust by ear. In this case it was just by ear

 

[BD Audio]

I've emailed AN to see if an instruction PDF is available for you guys.

 

[BD Audio]

I have the PDF and have sent it to you guys in email...

 

[browellm]

Fanks :^

 

[speedysteve]

Not me using it, so can't comment.

I understand that there are also ever demanding test tones to be achieved which zone in.

Personally I zone in my anti-skate by ear. What does it sound like on the outer vs inner grooves. There's a particular track nearing the end on the 1st side of Boys from Pele - Tori Amos which tells you.

Were you using one of those records with an ungrooved bit you are supposed to use to adjust bias so that the arm neither glides in or out?If so, these give the wrong result and the "wrongness" is stylus dependant. On such a shiny bit of disc it is the tip og the stylus which drags on the record. The friction between the tip and an unmodulated surface and the modulated groove against the stylus flank is not likely to be the same. If it is less it will lead to too little bias, if it is more (not likely IMO) it will lead to too much bias.

TBH I am surprised anybody ever thought this method could work and even more surprised some test records still have a band such as this. It was pretty well known to be innaccurate when I was at Garrard nearly 40 years ago...

- - - Updated - - -

A spare weight was acquired from AN and machined out.

Thanks SpeedySteveIn case I end up with the same problem, may I ask what mod you did to replace the standard weight?

 

[RobHolt]

Using a known difficult track is a good method to set bias, or alternatively use a good test disc with modulated tracks.

I always optimise everything for end of side since that's were distortion is always most objectionable with vinyl.

9/10 times the bias setting ends up about 2/3 - 3/4 the tracking VTF figure.

Make sure the TT is absolutely level when setting bias since most arms will show marked deviation from the indicated settings if not.