Clearaudio Concept - Used - Careful

Well, the manual is here:

http://www.clearaudio.de/download/laufwerke/new-generation/concept_de_en.pdf

and I can appreciate it when you say, "Given this, my concern with the Concept is that there is no instructions on how to properly setup anti-skate or anything on this TT.", but I respectfully disagree with you. Tracking force and VTA/SRA adjustments are covered. As far as where the anti-skate is adjusted, it is inside a giant red rectangle in the instructions.

And yes, they say to have a dealer adjust it, but when you purchase a lifestyle product like the Concept it is geared for the broader market that is not into the nuts and bolts of turntable setup, you get these kinds of instructions.

There is more than enough here to do a proper setup.

You might also have a look at this thread to see if any anti-skate is appropriate for your setup. Many don't use bias compensation at all:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1352171457&openmine&zzViridian&4&5

Happy listening.

" If you need to do any adjustments "contact your local dealer".

I'm sure my local dealer would love me to bring in a used Concept when he has several new for sale."

Why assume this. Call him and ask him what he would charge. Or would you be wanting him to do this for free?

Appreciate your very helpful note Viridian. I should have read the instructions inside that red box.

During a cartridge purchase, I first saw this deck at my dealer and discussed buying new from them. My comment on showing up with a used one was directed at their displeasure in my not buying new from them. Yes, they will set this table up for $185 plus tax.

Clearaudio sent me detailed instructions on how to setup this deck up myself. I have all the instructions needed to get the anti-skate up and working which I have done.

I'd like Viridian to tell me how much to turn the anti-skate dial and how he would know what the setting was before he turned it. I forgot, the instructions in that "red box" were so detailed.

Pdjmwj -- the standard arm is (a sort of) unipivot and you can choose to skip on anti-skating adjustment, which is fiddly. I set one up for a friend a few days ago -- he is using an expensive Lyra and the a-skating was set by ear & test record; not very scientific! We set the TT at the edge of the table to have easy access under the arm.

With all due respect, you have a very decent TT there and, as you note, you have plenty of TT experience. You don;t need the dealers' expensive input!

Pdjmwj I always set bias by ear, starting at the manufacturers recommended setting. In your case, that would be the pre-set amount. Often, I find that the recommended amount is too much, and in many cases end up with no bias compensation at all.

But I set VTF the same way, starting at the recommended setting and then listening for the best sound quality.