I have a Michell Orbe with an origin live RB250. Just fitted my AT33sa cartridge and set up with the correct protractor. I thought the left channel was more pronounced than previously so borrowed my friends hi fi news test record. On the bias test track the arm does not stay solid but moves to the centre. Adjusting anti skate from 0-2 merely slows the arm movement.(suggesting it’s not a broken spring) There is no discernible distortion from either channel that would show tracking errors. Looking online some posts suggest owners have removed the spring or leave it on 0. And that you would need a reading of 30-40 bias to damage records. Any thoughts?
Should always set bias with a mono album.
That way you will know it’s not channel separation detail giving you the impression. 
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When I researched my RB300 some years ago to recommission my Planar 3, one of the things I discovered was that the bias control markings in the tone arm were not necessarily reliable.
I set it by ear, it was different to its historical position and it sounded better. So, my conclusion was that it did matter to my tone arm.
Whether that is still relevant after the upgrades OL has done, I don’t know.
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I start with it as the same as tracking weight, and then adjust by ear until the sound stage is central. I don’t bother with using a mono record these days, just play something on Qobuz or a rip first and then play the vinyl version.
Thanks for the input. I’ll give it a go. Looking head on at the stylus I can’t see any deflection left or right at max bias setting.
Bias is important to allow the stylus to sit nicely in the groove and pick up well from both sides.
A correct bias setting should yield clearer sound with good imaging. I find that when you get it right, it’s as if the music comes into focus.
Skeptikal is right in that it is usually simpler to play a mono LP. It is also good to play at the outer middle and inner of the LP to find the sweet spot that is good in all positions.
You can use test records that have test tones at set frequencies that can make it simpler but a word of caution is that one may get a good result on the test record, but not sound perfect when you play actual music. A single frequency is one thing to get right but of course, a track will be many frequencies all at once.
Trust your ears when it sounds right to you, it is right.
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