Let me make sure I have this correct--the idea in using the test record is to try to get the buzzing the same in both channels--correct?Correct, using whichever one of bands 6-9 on Side 1 causes just enough buzzing to be audible.
A BETTER way to use the HFN&RR record to adjust antiskating is to play the three, widely spaced "Tracking Test" bands on side two. Skating forces vary from outer to inner grooves, so using three widely spaced bands is superior to using just one. IF your cartridge buzzes on these bands (some won't), adjust antiskating until the buzzing is roughly equal L/R on all three bands. Very careful setups will have equal buzzing on the middle band and mirror-imaged buzzing on the inner and outer bands.
The BEST way to use the HFN&RR record is to support a stack of real records, to keep them from warping. Mine hasn't left its sleeve in over a year.
I think that is about what I have right now, which would explain why I am getting good sound despite all the buzzin goin on.Sounds right to me!
Let me ask you a question--given the misdirections how did you figure out the answer?Research here and on VA, setting up lots of cartridges, listening while thinking, thinking while listening. :-)
- An "antiskating" band at only one location is wrong (skating forces vary across the record)
- The amplitudes of those bands are far higher than real music (and since skating varies with stylus/groove friction, unnaturally high amplitues yield false results)
Antiskating impairs any cartridge's sonic performance. Just ask Harry Weisfeld. The best sound is obtained using the least amount necessary to prevent mistracking. Once I learned how to hear antiskate changes while listening to music those faulty test tracks became altogether useless.
Try this: toss the HFN record into a corner and play the most dynamic record you own with antiskating set to zero. Reduce VTF in tiny increments until the cartridge starts to mistrack (buzz) on the R channel. Now add just enough antiskate to eliminate the buzzing and bump VTF back up by a couple hundredths of a gram - no more. Play your favorite records. I'll wager you'll be surprised by the sonic improvement.
Cheers,
Doug
P.S. An easy way to make tiny, repeatable VTF adjustments on arms that lack a fine adjustment is to slip a few O-rings onto or off of the end stub. You can reliably adjust VTF by just a couple hundredths of a gram with this method, which I use every day. (... and Raul has watched me do it and heard the results!)