If you’re a vinyl enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of the anti-skate feature on turntables.
But what exactly does it do, and is it really necessary? Some manufacturers don’t even believe in it!
In this article, we’ll dive into the controversy surrounding anti-skate and explore its importance in maintaining good channel balance, minimizing distortion, and reducing stylus and record wear.
We’ll also discuss the different methods for setting anti-skate and offer our own theory for optimizing its use.
So, whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or just starting out with vinyl, read on to discover the truth about anti-skate.
Is Anti-Skate Necessary
Anti-skate is a feature found on many turntables that applies a small outward force to the tonearm, counteracting the tendency of the arm to move inward (skate) toward the center of the record. This force is necessary to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
Without anti-skate, the distribution of vertical tracking force on the groove walls can become uneven, resulting in distortion in one channel over the other. This is particularly noticeable in the inner grooves of a record, where skating force can cause the right channel to mis-track before the left when playing very loud music.
Additionally, skating force can cause uneven wear on the two stylus faces that are in contact with the groove wall. The application of anti-skate force balances these forces and causes wear to be even on both faces.
While some manufacturers may not believe in anti-skate, it is important to note that not all turntables have this feature. Some may handle it internally, preset at a fixed value by the manufacturer. However, for those turntables with adjustable anti-skate controls, it is important to set it correctly in order to achieve optimal sound quality.
There are many methods for setting anti-skate, but our theory for optimizing its use is to equalize the level of distortions between the right and left channels. This can only be measured while the stylus is sitting in the grooves with the record playing.
What Is Anti-Skate And How Does It Work?
Anti-skate is a feature found on many turntables that counteracts the tendency of the tonearm to move inward (skate) towards the center of the record. This is achieved by applying a small outward force to the tonearm. The purpose of anti-skate is to maintain good channel balance, minimize distortion, and reduce stylus and record wear.
When a turntable lacks anti-skate, the distribution of vertical tracking force on the groove walls can become uneven, resulting in distortion in one channel over the other. This issue is particularly noticeable in the inner grooves of a record, where skating force can cause the right channel to mis-track before the left when playing very loud music.
Additionally, skating force can cause uneven wear on the two stylus faces that are in contact with the groove wall. The application of anti-skate force balances these forces and causes wear to be even on both faces.
While some manufacturers may not believe in anti-skate, it is important to note that not all turntables have this feature. Some may handle it internally, preset at a fixed value by the manufacturer. However, for those turntables with adjustable anti-skate controls, it is important to set it correctly in order to achieve optimal sound quality.
To set anti-skate correctly, many methods exist, but our theory for optimizing its use is to equalize the level of distortions between the right and left channels. This can only be measured while the stylus is sitting in the grooves with the record playing. By applying just enough force to stop skating, you can achieve balance and minimize distortion.
The Debate: Do You Really Need Anti-Skate?
Despite the benefits of anti-skate, there is a debate among audiophiles about whether or not it is truly necessary. Some argue that the effect of skating force is minimal and can be compensated for by adjusting other parameters, such as vertical tracking force or cartridge alignment.
However, others argue that even a small amount of skating force can have a noticeable impact on sound quality, particularly in the inner grooves of a record. They believe that anti-skate is an essential feature for achieving optimal channel balance and minimizing distortion.
Ultimately, the decision to use anti-skate or not is up to the individual listener. Those who prioritize sound quality and want to ensure even wear on their stylus and records may prefer to use anti-skate. Others who are less concerned about these factors may choose to forego this feature.
It is important to note that even if a turntable does not have adjustable anti-skate controls, it may still have some form of internal compensation for skating force. However, for those who do have adjustable anti-skate controls, it is recommended to experiment with different settings to find the optimal balance for your specific setup.
The Importance Of Anti-Skate In Maintaining Channel Balance
One of the most important functions of anti-skate is to maintain channel balance. As we know, skating force can cause the right channel to mis-track before the left when playing very loud music. This can result in an uneven distribution of vertical tracking force on the groove walls, leading to distortion in one channel over the other.
By applying a small outward force to the tonearm, anti-skate can counteract this tendency and ensure that both channels track equally well, even at high volumes. This helps to maintain good channel balance and prevent any noticeable differences in volume or tone between the left and right channels.
In addition, anti-skate can help to minimize distortion and reduce stylus and record wear. By keeping the stylus tip centered in the record groove as the tonearm travels across the record, anti-skate can prevent excessive wear on one side of the groove wall.
To achieve optimal sound quality and maintain channel balance, it is important to set anti-skate correctly. This may involve adjusting it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used or listening carefully for distortion and making adjustments until it is minimized.
Minimizing Distortion With Anti-Skate
One of the primary benefits of anti-skate is its ability to minimize distortion in your vinyl playback. As mentioned earlier, skating force can cause channel imbalance and uneven wear on the stylus. This can result in unwanted distortion and feedback, which can be particularly noticeable in the high-frequency range.
To minimize distortion with anti-skate, it is important to adjust the anti-skate control to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used. This will get you in the ballpark, but it is important to also listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record to determine if more or less anti-skate is needed.
Listen for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance (the hissing sound produced by certain letters), and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel over the other. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized and you achieve equal volume from both channels.
It is also important to listen carefully at two or three different points across the record, particularly at alignment points if you used an alignment protractor to align your cartridge. 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.
Protecting Your Stylus And Records With Anti-Skate
One of the key benefits of anti-skate is its ability to protect your stylus and records. When a record is spinning, the stylus is pushed against the groove walls with a force of over 300lbs per square inch. As the stylus tracks towards the center of the record, the force on the outer edge of the stylus increases, causing uneven wear on the diamond.
Without anti-skate, this force can cause the arm to jump and fail to follow the record correctly. This can lead to scratching and skipping of your records, as well as damage to your stylus. Anti-skate helps to counteract this force and keep your stylus in the proper position, reducing wear on both your records and your stylus.
It is important to note that anti-skate should be set correctly in order to achieve optimal protection for your stylus and records. This can be done by following the manufacturer’s instructions and testing with a not-so-favorite record or a test record. Once set correctly, you can safely and confidently play your prized vinyl without worrying about damage or wear.
Different Methods For Setting Anti-Skate
There are several methods for setting anti-skate on a turntable. One common method is to adjust it to the same value as the vertical tracking force (VTF) used. This will get you in the ballpark, but it may not be enough to achieve optimal sound quality.
Another method is to listen carefully to the last few minutes of a record and determine if more or less anti-skate is needed. Inner groove distortion can be quite noticeable, so listen for distortion, particularly in the form of sibilance, and determine if it appears to be louder on one channel over the other. Adjust the anti-skate value until the distortion is minimized.
It is 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.
However, it is important to note that the force exerted on the stylus is not linear, so the amount of anti-skate force required will be different depending on the relative location of the cartridge towards the record spindle. The curve is somewhat of a parabolic shape, with the skating force higher at the outer groove than at the inner groove and lowest in the middle.
Some tonearm designs have a mechanism that will increase anti-skate force gradually to counteract the non-linear nature of the centripetal force. Optimizing anti-skating adjustment at the outer grooves where the skating force is strongest will cause over-compensation across the inner grooves. This is why the anti-skate track is placed near the inner grooves.
It is also important to note that anti-skating affects crosstalk measurements. When anti-skating is set incorrectly, imbalance will sometimes cause crosstalk readings to be skewed so that an optimal number can never be achieved. Therefore, it is important to go back and forth between anti-skating and azimuth, as well as VTF and VTA to achieve an optimal set of numbers.
In conclusion, while there are many methods for setting anti-skate on a turntable, it is important to remember that no setup parameter can be optimized in isolation. One must try to achieve optimal settings in as many setup parameters as possible for optimal sound quality.
