Vinyl records have made a comeback in recent years, and with that comes the need for turntables and their various features.
One such feature is anti-skate, which applies a small outward force to the tonearm to counteract its tendency to move inward towards the center of the record.
But how does this affect the sound quality?
In this article, we’ll explore the impact of anti-skate on channel balance, distortion, stylus and record wear, and more.
Whether you’re a vinyl enthusiast or just curious about turntable mechanics, read on to learn how anti-skate can make a difference in your listening experience.
How Does Anti-Skate Affect Sound
Anti-skate is an important feature on turntables that helps maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear. It does this by keeping the stylus tip centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record.
Without anti-skate, the tonearm would tend to move inward towards the center of the record, causing uneven wear on the stylus and groove walls. This can result in distorted sound and reduced channel balance.
By applying a small outward force to the tonearm, anti-skate helps to counteract this tendency and maintain equal volume from both left and right channels. This is especially important when playing very loud music, as skating force can cause the right channel to mis-track before the left.
However, it’s important to note that the effects of anti-skate are dependent on many factors, including the mass of the armwand, vertical tracking force, cartridge suspension, VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry, and more.
Some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that can skew anti-skate readings towards one channel. Additionally, the force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skate required will vary depending on the location of the cartridge towards the record spindle.
Optimizing anti-skate adjustment at the outer grooves where skating force is strongest can cause over-compensation across inner grooves. This is why anti-skate tracks are often placed near inner grooves.
It’s also important to note that anti-skating affects crosstalk measurements. When set incorrectly, imbalance can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed and prevent optimal numbers from being achieved.
To set anti-skate on a turntable with a user-adjustable control, begin by adjusting it to the same value as vertical tracking force. Listen carefully for distortion in the last few minutes of a record and adjust until minimized. Listen at different points across the record and tweak as needed.
What Is Anti-Skate And How Does It Work?
Anti-skate is a feature on turntables that applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) towards the center of the record. This helps to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
The force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skate required will vary depending on the location of the cartridge towards the record spindle. Some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that can skew anti-skate readings towards one channel.
Optimizing anti-skate adjustment at the outer grooves where skating force is strongest can cause over-compensation across inner grooves. This is why anti-skate tracks are often placed near inner grooves.
When set incorrectly, imbalance can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed and prevent optimal numbers from being achieved. To set anti-skate on a turntable with a user-adjustable control, begin by adjusting it to the same value as vertical tracking force. Listen carefully for distortion in the last few minutes of a record and adjust until minimized. Listen at different points across the record and tweak as needed.
The Impact Of Anti-Skate On Channel Balance
One of the most significant impacts of anti-skate is on channel balance. Without proper calibration, the tonearm can put excess pressure on one channel, causing distortion and uneven wear on the stylus and record groove. By applying an outward force to the tonearm, anti-skate helps to maintain equal volume from both left and right channels.
However, it’s important to note that anti-skate force is not linear and varies depending on the location of the cartridge towards the record spindle. This means that optimizing anti-skate adjustment at the outer grooves where skating force is strongest can cause over-compensation across inner grooves.
Additionally, some tonearm designs have inherent imbalances that can skew anti-skate readings towards one channel. This means that achieving optimal channel balance may require going back and forth between anti-skate and other setup parameters such as VTF, azimuth, and alignment.
It’s also worth noting that anti-skating affects crosstalk measurements. When set incorrectly, imbalance can cause crosstalk readings to be skewed and prevent optimal numbers from being achieved.
Distortion And Anti-Skate: What’s The Connection?
Distortion and anti-skate are closely related, as anti-skate helps to minimize distortion by keeping the stylus tip centered in the record groove. Without anti-skate, the tonearm would tend to move inward towards the center of the record, causing uneven wear on the stylus and groove walls. This can result in distorted sound and reduced channel balance.
Skating forces are generated by the angle of the cartridge being dragged through the groove. The higher the volume, the bigger the groove amplitude, and the greater the drag, which requires greater anti-skate force to counteract. However, this force is not linear and varies depending on the location of the cartridge towards the record spindle.
If anti-skate is set too high, it can pull the arm out too much, leaving too little tracking force on the inside, causing distortion in the left channel. Conversely, if anti-skate is set too low, it can give too much force on the inside, causing distortion in the right channel.
It’s important to optimize anti-skate adjustment at different points across the record and tweak as needed. Additionally, anti-skating should be adjusted in conjunction with other setup parameters such as vertical tracking force and azimuth to achieve optimal sound quality and minimize distortion.
Stylus And Record Wear: How Anti-Skate Can Help
One of the main benefits of anti-skate is its ability to reduce stylus and record wear. Without anti-skate, the stylus would be forced to track towards the center of the record, causing uneven wear on the groove walls and the stylus tip. This can result in a loss of detail and clarity in the sound, as well as a shorter lifespan for both the record and the stylus.
Anti-skate helps to counteract this by applying a small outward force to the tonearm, which keeps the stylus centered in the groove and reduces wear. This allows for a longer lifespan for both the record and the stylus, as well as improved sound quality.
It’s important to note that anti-skate is not a cure-all for record wear, as other factors such as dust and dirt can also contribute to damage. However, when used in conjunction with proper cleaning techniques and storage, anti-skate can help to extend the life of your records and improve your listening experience.
Finding The Right Anti-Skate Setting For Your Turntable
When it comes to finding the right anti-skate setting for your turntable, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure your turntable has an adjustable anti-skate control. Some turntables may not have this feature, but it may still be handled internally and preset at a fixed value by the manufacturer.
Once you have confirmed that your turntable has an adjustable anti-skate control, start by adjusting it to the same value as your vertical tracking force (VTF). This will get you in the ballpark and help maintain good channel balance.
Next, listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record and determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Look out for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel, left or right. Adjust the anti-skate value until distortion is minimized.
It’s also important to listen carefully at two or three different points across the record. If you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge, listen at the alignment points. Listen for any differences in tone, dynamics, and soundstage at these points. If there are differences, some tweaking of the anti-skate adjustment may be needed.
Remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. Try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible. For example, if meaningful numbers cannot be achieved under the anti-skate test, it could be caused by an incorrect VTF, azimuth or even alignment. You may have to go back and forth between different parameters to achieve meaningful results and optimal settings.
The Importance Of Proper Turntable Maintenance For Sound Quality
Proper turntable maintenance is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality, and anti-skate is just one aspect of this. Regular cleaning of the stylus and record surface is essential for preventing buildup of dust and debris, which can cause distortion and damage to the stylus. It’s also important to ensure that the turntable is level and free from vibrations, as these can affect the tracking ability of the stylus.
In addition, it’s important to regularly check and adjust other settings on your turntable, such as vertical tracking force, cartridge alignment, and VTA/azimuth/alignment geometry. These factors can all impact the sound quality of your records, and ensuring that they are set correctly can make a significant difference in the overall performance of your turntable.
Regular maintenance can also help to prolong the life of your turntable and prevent costly repairs or replacements. By taking the time to properly care for your equipment, you can enjoy high-quality sound for years to come.
In conclusion, anti-skate is an important feature on turntables that helps maintain channel balance, reduce distortion, and prevent stylus and record wear. However, it’s just one aspect of proper turntable maintenance. By regularly cleaning and adjusting your equipment, you can achieve optimal sound quality and prolong the life of your turntable.
