Rega RP10 tracking force and antiskate

Posted by: Rotifer217 on 26 February 2018

Hi, apologies in advance as this isn't specifically a question relating to Naim components, however the rest of my system is Naim and I follow this site regularly so I imagine someone will be able to answer my question. It relates to setting up my RP10. Rega state that the tracking force of an Apheta 2 cartridge is 1.75 - 2.0g and that the antiskate should mirror this. I set my tracking force to about 1.85g as I've read it is better to err on the higher end rather than have it too low. In order for the tone arm to be lowered straight on to the record I have to set the antiskate considerably lower than suggested level (about 0.5g rather than 1.85g). If I set it any higher than this the tonearm pulls towards the outer edge of the record. My question is whether this is a problem or if I should assume all is fine and just enjoy the music? By the way, the turntable sounds fantastic, never mis-tracks and I know that the balance weight has been positioned correctly.

Posted on: 26 February 2018 by S3

It’s perfectly normal. My antiskate is set quite a bit lower than my tracking force as that is the only way to get a straight line arm drop into the record. I was told this was the way the rega decks are and absolutely no issue that it deviates from the letter of the set up instructions in the manual.

Regards

David

Posted on: 26 February 2018 by joerand

A convenient feature of Rega arms is that antiskate can be set on the fly. One procedure is to listen at the middle of the LP and adjust the bias where it gives the tightest bass. Another is to use a LP with a wide deadwax area and drop the needle so it hits out of the groove then see which direction the arm travels; adjust the antiskate accordingly. I've used both methods on my RP6 with RB303 arm and the bias setting is always less than the tracking force. This, of course, assumes a perfectly leveled deck. Also good to clean your cueing arm rest with alcohol. There is a hex wrench adjustment to made to the cueing arm rest if your antiskate is set to your liking and the arm doesn't drop straight onto the LP.

Posted on: 26 February 2018 by Adam Zielinski

Tracking force is ok - closer to 2 is preferable for this cartridge.

Antiskate - best to do it on a blank LP - I found Rega’s advice a bit of a hit an miss...

Posted on: 27 February 2018 by audio1946

bias half tracking wt. the start listen and adjust if required

Posted on: 27 February 2018 by Richard Dane

The RB2000 allows you to alter the bias on the fly - the Rega MC carts also have a handy little indicator to help you - the style guard wire loop. Look to try to get the stylus cantilever as centralised within the loop as you can - this shows the force exerted on the cantilever. Oh, and use your ears..

Posted on: 27 February 2018 by Robert Burgess

Richard Dane posted:
The RB2000 allows you to alter the bias on the fly - the Rega MC carts also have a handy little indicator to help you - the style guard wire loop. Look to try to get the stylus cantilever as centralised within the loop as you can - this shows the force exerted on the cantilever. Oh, and use your ears..

Hi Richard - As a new owner of a RP10/Alpheta2, I’m curious what tracking force weight works best for you? Thanks

Posted on: 27 February 2018 by Richard Dane

Robert, I find that best VTF depends a bit on the temperature. As it's quite cold at the moment I run it slightly higher than normal - just under 2g. However, when it's warmer I dial back slightly to 1.8g.

Posted on: 27 February 2018 by JDK

Anti-skate should be set for the best sonic results, however on Rega 'tables this can lead to the issue of the arm sliding back in the direction of the arm rest. This occurs due to a lack of "grip" between the arm tube and the cueing platform's rubber damping pad. The problem is exacerbated on the RP8 and RP10 by the highly polished arm tube on these models. The solution? Roughen up the rubber on the cueing platform with either a pencil eraser or a piece of fine grit sandpaper. This should allow you to set the anti-skate correctly and still be able to cue up!