Posted by BillEpstein [ 12.75.72.98 ] on January 17, 2005 at 14:11:33:

In Reply to: Turntable continually skips...help! posted by Dan on January 17, 2005 at 11:29:26:

Do you have the tracking force measured accurately? With a scale, not just the gradations on the weight? If you don't have a Shure gauge, $25 at AudioAdvisor, J&R, AMusicdirect, Garage-a-records, etc get one. Track at the upper end of the range. Most inexpensive moving magnet carts track well at 2 grams. The 1.25 and even 1.5 grams advertising is nonsense.
The anti-skating arm the string goes on has gradations that are prolly keyed to those on the tracking force weight. Usually 6 stops on both with 2 grams at the center. W/O knowing the exact gradations try putting the anti-skate at the middle posiiton and see what happens.
The other major factor is Balancing the turntable. Use a small beam bubble level, not the bullseye type that are sold for the purpose. They're sold at Home Centers for leveling posts and fit on a string. About 3" long. Level the shelf. Now level the table. Now put the tonearm with cart on a record with power off and level the headshell. You can just twist it while the collar is a bit loose, then tighten.
Place the needle on a mirror and see if the needle and it's reflection are a single line. If not, twist the headshell until they are.
Move the tracking force weight to where the arm is perpendicular to the platter and just hanging there. I.E., zero tracking force. Remove the anti-skate weight. Move the arm to where the middle of a record would be and see if it stays put. It stays, the table is level. It moves, you need to check level until there is no movement. Now set the tracking force and anti-skate.
You are ready to set SRA. stylus rake angle. If the headshell is parallel to the record while playing and the top of the cart is flat against the headshell, you're done. Some carts are a funny shape and you must look carefully at the stylus tip from the side with a good light to find when it is tilted about 1 or 2 NEGATIVE degrees to the record/cart. If the arm has adjustable VTA, great. If not you put spacers between the top of the cart and the headshell or add or subtract layers of mat from the table.
Pop quiz on Wednesday.

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