Mola-Mola Review in 6 Moons

Yes never been convinced by the counter revolving second platter, the arm looks interesting bit no anti -skate, not sure that is such a good idea either.
Keith.
 
Yes never been convinced by the counter revolving second platter, the arm looks interesting bit no anti -skate, not sure that is such a good idea either.
Keith.

On the Sparta, take off the belt on the lower platter. Listen as the soundstage collapses. You don't need anti-skating with the Helena or Black Beauty arms. They are the best arms for the table and the best arms I've ever owned. I've never owned the 4 point, but it does look interesting. But often, there is sophistication in simplicity. The Helena and Black Beauty are world class trackers IMO. Anti-skating is not required and would be a determent IMO (too much is worse than not enough!)


I could be wrong in this, but isn't Harry at VPI not a big fan of anti-skating either?
 
Mike - Harry Weisfeld's position on anti-skating is not that it's unnecessary, but rather that the a/s force which is inherent to his unipivot tonearm's cable loop sounds better than that which could be applied via an additional mechanical device. Due to customer demand VPI now includes a pivoting weight mechanism which can be used to provide an adjustable a/s force, but he recommends against using it to achieve the best performance with his arm design. He does agree with your statement that too much a/s is worse than not enough.

Many analog devotees overcompensate their a/s setting by using a blank (grooveless) record and adjust it so that the arm is stable and doesn't drift toward the center of the record. This will actually set the a/s too high, since the skating force that the arm sees is different when the stylus is actually in a record's groove. If you use a blank record to set a/s, it is more accurately adjusted when the arm slowly drifts toward the record's center.
 
Mike - Harry Weisfeld's position on anti-skating is not that it's unnecessary, but rather that the a/s force which is inherent to his unipivot tonearm's cable loop sounds better than that which could be applied via an additional mechanical device. Due to customer demand VPI now includes a pivoting weight mechanism which can be used to provide an adjustable a/s force, but he recommends against using it to achieve the best performance with his arm design. He does agree with your statement that too much a/s is worse than not enough.

Many analog devotees overcompensate their a/s setting by using a blank (grooveless) record and adjust it so that the arm is stable and doesn't drift toward the center of the record. This will actually set the a/s too high, since the skating force that the arm sees is different when the stylus is actually in a record's groove. If you use a blank record to set a/s, it is more accurately adjusted when the arm slowly drifts toward the record's center.
The amount of drag varies across the records surface hence the weighted mechanisms, it would be interesting to measure the cartridges L/R channels output with and without anti skate.
I would always insist on an anti skate mechanism .
Keith.
 
Back
Top