Counterweight & Anti-skating Principle of Record Player

By PortiaPanMar 27, 2024

一、What‘s the principal of Counterweight & Anti-skating on a record player?

The counterweight and anti-skating principle of the record player is to improve its operation safety and accuracy by changing the weight and stability of the record player.

The purpose of the counterweight is to reduce the stability of the turntable by adding to its overall weight, thereby reducing the vibrations and vibrations that occur when the record is played. Typically, record players are counterweighted by adding iron blocks or other weights inside the machine. Doing so increases the stability of the turntable, making it smoother and more accurate when playing records.

The anti-skating principle refers to reducing the sliding or shaking of the record player when playing records by adding anti-skid materials on the record player. Common non-slip materials include rubber, plastic, and wire. Adding anti-slip materials to the record player can reduce the sliding and shaking of the record player when playing records, thereby improving its operational safety and accuracy.

Why we need to adjust the needle pressure before using a record player?

Needle pressure refers to the weight of the tonearm applied to the cartridge, and it is also the minimum pressure required for the cartridge to track properly.

If the needle pressure is too small, it is easy to skip stitches. Uneven turntables or vibrations can easily cause the needle to slip. There may be problems with increased noise and audio-visual drift, or even tracking, and the sense of low-frequency volume will also be reduced.

If the needle pressure is too large, the wear of the cartridge and the record will be too great. The voice sounded dull.

Note: Adjust the anti-skating to the balance of the left and right channels.

The new record player must measure the needle pressure before using it! If the needle pressure is not measured, the record will be scratched, the needle will break, and the sound effect will be distorted.

Contact Retrolife if you are not sure the needle pressure of the record player once your purchase anything from our site retrolifeplayer.com.

二、How to test the real needle pressure of a record player: （Testing the real needle pressure of a record player requires the following steps）

Prepare to test the record player and related tools: First, you need to prepare a record player to be tested, and take out the stylus inside the record player. Then you need to prepare a multimeter and some professional tools, such as stylus calibrator and so on.
Calibrate the stylus: Use a stylus calibrator and other equipment to calibrate the stylus of the record player to the best state to ensure the accuracy of the test.
Test needle pressure: Adjust the resistance of the multimeter to an appropriate voltage range, then use the stylus calibrator to gently touch the stylus to the record, and slowly increase the pressure of the stylus until the stylus starts to scratch the record. Record the pressure value at this time as a reference value. 4. Adjust the needle pressure: According to the test results, use professional tools to adjust the needle pressure of the record player, so that the needle pressure can be adjusted to near the reference value to ensure the accuracy of the test. 5. Test the needle pressure again: After adjusting the needle pressure, repeat steps 3 and 4, test the needle pressure again, and record the test results.
Analysis results: Analyze the results of multiple tests to determine whether the actual needle pressure of the record player is within a reasonable range. If the needle pressure is unstable or too high or too low, you need to adjust the needle pressure of the record player.

It should be noted that testing the real needle pressure of a record player requires certain professional knowledge and skills. If you do not have relevant experience, please do not try to test it yourself. At the same time, care needs to be taken while testing to avoid damaging the turntable or other equipment.

三、Arrangement of common phono needle pressure parameters:

(This data is all from the official parameters of the brand to which the cartridge belongs. You can also adjust the needle pressure according to your own sense of hearing within the range given by the official.)

Audio-Technica AT-3600

Needle pressure range: 2.0g-2.5g

Recommended needle pressure: 2.3g

Most of Retrolife high fidelity record players and turntables are equipped with Audio Technica 3600L MM Cartridge & Stylus, the sound quality is characterized by clarity, smoothness, naturalness and fullness, allowing listeners to feel every detail and expressiveness of the music.