The antiscate arm-test fails on a 1200, arm broke ?

[Jan_A]

I saw a video on the net of how to check if the tone arm is ok. Problem is, when I set the antiscating to zero, the arm is supposed to travel to the center, but it dosnt.

Does this mean the arm is broak ?

Had it since 2008, light use only.

[prestonchipfryer]

Jan, with the anti-skate (bias) set at zero, the arm should NOT move inwards. It's only when you set the anti-skate to match the tracking weight that the arm will move inwards.

Whatever video you saw is total rubbish and you should ignore it.

If you arm has only had light use then it should be in good working order.

John

[Beobloke]

Leaving aside for a moment that this is not a very good way of setting it, with the stylus on a blank record and anti-skating set to '0', the arm SHOULD move inwards towards the centre.

As you increase the bias there should be a point at which it stays still and if you increase further it should move outwards.

[YNWaN]

Erm, yes indeed - accurately and succinctly put in post #3.

Sorry, not sure what you are thinking of John, but I'm afraid you are mistaken on this.

[prestonchipfryer]

Nor do I, apologies, mixed up. Of course 'tis other way round, more bias arm swings outwards. :doh:

[DSJR]

The later model should be better, but DON'T try this on the early non-quartz Techie arms much below 1.75g, since the bias corrector is all over the shop on these below this weight. At 1.75 - 2g, all seemed well on the two decks I owned..

[Jan_A]

The question arrised when I saw this video, how to check if the tonearm is broken:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq2Rk7_i6hQ

THEN, I watched this, very professional, presentation of the 1200, plus tips and tricks, including the tonearm test, where it does like mine - fun starts a 5:13 min - I feel just as confused :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsSY34wqiD4

[Jan_A]

Leaving aside for a moment that this is not a very good way of setting it, with the stylus on a blank record and anti-skating set to '0', the arm SHOULD move inwards towards the centre.

As you increase the bias there should be a point at which it stays still and if you increase further it should move outwards.


Yes, I did the blank-record test, and I normally use the blank record when I set the antiscating.

[Jan_A]

Thanks a lot for the responces - yes, I think this should be ignored.

My own conclusion is, they made a change to the anti-skating at some point. Makes no sense to dedicate half the range to anti-anti-skating, now its about 95% anti-skating, and 5% left of the range for anti-anti just in case. There is also the issue, anti-skating is set according to weight on the scale, how are they going to achieve this on a 50% range anti-anti :scratch:

[Qwin]

The first clip you link to is exactly right!
In this elivated position without the headshell it should do EXACTLY what the guy shows as examples of a good and bad bearing. It is not much of a test and is only designed to show free movement and that you have no "sticky" points.

Whether the arm moves back to the centre on zero is VERY sensitive to the table being level. Its all to do with the centre of gravity with the headshell/cartridge removed and the weight right at the back. It behaves differently with headshell in place and tracking weight set.

Just checked my arm and it behaves like the guy says when the table is level. ;)