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RE: Maybe if we defined our terms,...

I think you have the right definition of tracking error. Furthermore, I agree that "tracking error" and "tracking angle error" are synonymous. However, skating force is not caused by the headshell offset. The headshell offset is implemented solely to minimize tracking error for a tonearm mounted with overhang.

I know it seems like the headshell offset causes skating force, but it really doesn't. Skating force is caused by the direction of the frictional force pulling on the stylus by the spinning record. That force pulls the stylus in a direction that is not in line with the stylus/pivot axis and therefore imparts a torque on the tonearm around its pivot. If the frictional force pulling on the stylus were directly in line with the stylus/pivot axis, there would be no skating force.

Take a look at the diagrams below. The first diagram shows a pivotal tonearm mounted in the usual way with overhang. The force vectors show how the frictional force Ft pulling on the stylus creates skating force Fs . The second diagram shows the same tonearm mounted with underhang to eliminate skating force for this one tonearm position only. There is no skating force because the frictional force Ft pulling on the stylus is directly in line with the stylus/pivot axis. The third diagram shows both tonearms together so you can more clearly see the difference between the tonearm with skating force and the tonearm without skating force. It should be apparent that headshell offset has no effect on skating force. Headshell offset is implemented only to minimize tracking error.

Best regards,
John Elison







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