Turntable question. Not sure where else to put this.

A few months ago, I sat down to re-calibrate my turntable, as it was fiercely running to the center. I watched several YouTube clips, balanced all the things, and got mine dialed in pretty good, or so I thought. I am a turntable novice, after all. It still pulled radically to center.

Basically, to avoid skipping, I have to really tip the weight towards the needle, and really pull the skating setting towards the outside edge of the record to keep it in the groove. So -- pretty much the opposite of what is recommended. Even with my adjustments, it still tracks weird.

This turntable has been through at least one move (maybe two), and has surely been manhandled by my daughter a time or twenty, so who knows what abuse it's seen, but -- any ideas here? Is there an easy fix?

It's a cheaper Audio Technica table, so replacing it is not out of the question, but I wanted to see if maybe there are some simple things I should check before going that route.

Thanks, all. Cheers.

offal wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 10:22 am It's a cheaper Audio Technica table, so replacing it is not out of the question, but I wanted to see if maybe there are some simple things I should check before going that route.

Does it happen to be an AT-LP120 (or similar model)? Mine does this too. These are notorious for having a basically non-functioning or severely inefficient anti-skate feature, fairly well-documented on the internet.

Assuming you do not want to perform surgery on your turntable (you could replace the anti-skate spring), the way I have mitigated some of the skating is to use a lighter (in mass) cartridge/stylus combination - I use an Ortofon OM20 - with the anti-skate feature on its maximum setting.

There are others on the PRF that are much more knowledgeable on this topic than I am, so hopefully they can chime in as well...

jfv wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 11:01 am

offal wrote: Thu Jul 17, 2025 10:22 am It's a cheaper Audio Technica table, so replacing it is not out of the question, but I wanted to see if maybe there are some simple things I should check before going that route.

Does it happen to be an AT-LP120 (or similar model)?

That's exactly what it is. Huh. Never occurred to me this might be A Thing -- I totally assumed one of us did something. Thanks for the tip! I'll have a broader look around the internet for ideas, thank you!

Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:08 am Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

I do!

I think for really dirty records it definitely makes a difference. Also if you're cleaning them, it's worth ditching any paper sleeves and putting them in a poly sleeve so they don't end up getting paper bits back in. Have actually noticed even with brand new pressings it seemed to really help.

I was real good for a while about cleaning everything at least once and then switching out the inner sleeve and putting it in a new outer sleeve, but had to move the record cleaner downstairs and have totally dropped off the habit of it.

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:08 am Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

Damn! I was sitting on 2 of them a few months ago.

They’re great and really can make a difference. I ended up getting an ultrasonic cleaner and was running out of space. Another plus is they are easy to work on. The motors WILL die after a few years but you can get generic replacements from Grainger for much less than anything VPI-branded.

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:08 am Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

They work for sure, but they are loud. I switched to the Spin Clean system, which is great, but set-up dictates that I work in batches. With a vacuum one-offs are easier.

tallchris wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:11 am

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:08 am Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

I do!

I think for really dirty records it definitely makes a difference. Also if you're cleaning them, it's worth ditching any paper sleeves and putting them in a poly sleeve so they don't end up getting paper bits back in. Have actually noticed even with brand new pressings it seemed to really help.

Oh yeah, I got into the poly sleeve thing last year - world of difference!

major wrote:
They’re great and really can make a difference. I ended up getting an ultrasonic cleaner and was running out of space. Another plus is they are easy to work on. The motors WILL die after a few years but you can get generic replacements from Grainger for much less than anything VPI-branded.

On that end, thoughts on a VPI versus an ultrasonic deal?

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 11:07 am

tallchris wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:11 am

four_oclocker_2.2 wrote: Fri Oct 03, 2025 11:08 am Anyone have experience with a VPI HW 16.5? I have a lead on one for a bit cheaper than what they usually go for and am mighty tempted...

I do!

I think for really dirty records it definitely makes a difference. Also if you're cleaning them, it's worth ditching any paper sleeves and putting them in a poly sleeve so they don't end up getting paper bits back in. Have actually noticed even with brand new pressings it seemed to really help.

Oh yeah, I got into the poly sleeve thing last year - world of difference!

major wrote:
They’re great and really can make a difference. I ended up getting an ultrasonic cleaner and was running out of space. Another plus is they are easy to work on. The motors WILL die after a few years but you can get generic replacements from Grainger for much less than anything VPI-branded.

On that end, thoughts on a VPI versus an ultrasonic deal?

I love my Humminguru!

major wrote: Sat Oct 04, 2025 12:29 pm

I love my Humminguru!

How loud are these things? I had a Nitty Gritty I was borrowing for a while, it was super loud.