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In Reply to: RE: Souther SLA-3 Tonearm posted by Phil D on January 20, 2009 at 18:57:36
HI,
olddude 55, in my opinion, if you have never even seen a product, as you clearly have not in this case, you should refrain from comment. You know nothing. Uninformed opinions are a dime a dozen and worth even less.I have no experience with the Clearaudio version. I do have experience with your version. At one time I was very interested in the Souther arms. I researched them and came close to pulling the trigger.
Then, when I ran my high end repair shop I did a new install on the SLA-3 during which time I got to know the arm well. Not to rain on your parade, I hate the Souther. I'm really glad I did not buy one.
First, it does not use an air bearing. It uses conventional ball bearings for the cartridge carriage. The carriage is driven across the record directly by the stylus pushing against the carriage bearing friction.
I have several major problems with the design. There are MANY bearings that can and do rattle and resonate. This can be heard if you know what to listen for. If you don't, the resonances reveal themselves as short term raspiness, almost a low level high frequency clicking. Bearing friction is relatively high because of their sheer numbers, always undesirable. Perhaps, now that Clearaudio owns the design, the bearing problems have been overcome. I doubt it. It's inherently a bad design.
Next, the extremely short tone arm causes a lot of warp wow when tracking warped records. The very low mass arm makes cartridge selection difficult. Souther and Clearaudio had a long term professional relationship, one result of which was several special Clearaudio cartridges designed for the arm.
I have nothing against Clearaudio. In fact, I own their expensive Discovery cartridge. I wonder why they got involved with Souther.
I found the arm to be very difficult to set up. I also found it awkward to use. All in all, I consider it a kludge. The best I can say is it works....sort of.... sometimes. The arm is a resonating nightmare.
I do think it looks pretty sexy. If you want a linear arm, get an Eminent Technology ET-2 or, perhaps, a Rabco. Air Tangent is another posibility but it is very expensive. Or buy a good pivoted arm. I prefer linear arms but good pivoted designs can be very good and are simple.
Sparky
Edits: 01/21/09Follow Ups:
I've owned this arm since the early 80s. It is the 5th arm for my old Delphi (the original). I found it blisfully free of resonances. Yes there are some rumbles when not kept clean. Sort of like dirty glasses verses the wrong prescription. I always used it with pretty heavy cartridges that needed moderately high tracking weights (mostly Koetsu)and I never had troubles even on terribly warped records. To keep the same arm for nearly 30 years and really not have any desire to swap it out. What other piece of equipment do you have you can say that?
"I don't know a whole lot about the Souther," said I.
The original poster wanted information, so I directed him to the Vinyl Engine's website.
"...you bet its worth using. Once you get a linear-tracking arm set up and working you'll be hooked." The original poster has the arm; do you propose that he throw it away?
And my opinion about linear tracking is an informed opinion since I use a Rabco arm on my main table.
IMO, any decent linear-tracking table/arm is worth a try from the lowliest Technics close and play right up to the Kuzma Airline.
And some other folks have posted here (see above) to report at least some success with the Souther.
If I had a Souther or Clearaudio arm, you can bet I'd at least give a good long evaluation and I hope the original poster does too.
But of course, what do I know?_
Just another old audio fool.
Edits: 01/21/09
HI olddude55,
I never said you have no experience with linear tracking arms. That was not the point nor was it brought up. The point was the Souther arm. which you have never seen or experienced. To me you were being irresponsible. This happens a lot on any forum.
I'm totally with you on linear tracking. Until last year when I bought my Oracle Delphi V and put a Graham 2.2 Deluxe arm on it, I have had linear tracking arms exclusively since 1975. My first was a B&O 4004. Next came the Yamaha PX-2 which would accept MC cartridges. Then in 1990 I upgraded to the Eminent Technology ET-2 air bearing arm, which I still have, on a Sota Nova turntable. Check my profile. Believe me, I know the advantages of linear tracking. You are preaching to the choir.
It's too bad that the Souther designs don't live up to the promise.
Sparky
nor did I imply that I knew anything about it other than Clearaudio now manufactures a version of the arm
But the guy at the top of the thread already has the arm, so why not use it?
I don't see anything irresponsible there at all. Who knows--it might be exactly what he wants in a tone arm.My first taste of linear tracking was a crapola Fisher/Sanyo with a fixed cartridge and non-adjustable arm. Despite its flaws, the advantages of linear tracking were obvious.
I'd love to get an ET-2 but they sell so fast. Posted on Audiogon during the day, sold before I can get home from work.
Also considering the MG-1. Got a closet close by to hide the pump, and a Technics SL-1210 ready and waiting.
_
Just another old audio fool.
Edits: 01/21/09 01/21/09
HI,
I think you would be very happy with the ET-2 and I hope you can find one. If you do, contact me. I have learned a lot about optimizing the arm. It's a beauty.
You might check this. Bruce Thigpen of Eminent Technology did a limited run of ET-2's last year. I saw this on his web site. He may still have some.
The prices have gone up a lot since the $995 I paid for a new arm. Inflation takes its toll.
A used Air Tangent may also be a possibility.
Good Luck,
Sparky
There's a new air bearing arm on the market that sells for $900 which is entirely reasonable but beyond my budget.
The last time an ET-2 popped up on A'gon, I think it sold for about $500. I can swing that.
There's a B&O for sale in the Asylum Classifieds and I would have gone for it except that I've already got five turntables stuffed into a smallish room. Mrs. Olddude would have gutted me.
_
Just another old audio fool.
HI,
I can't vouch for this one but it is an air bearing arm. $600 is not bad.http://adanalog.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=58&category_id=10&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35
Sparky
Edits: 01/22/09
HI,
I don't blame Mrs. olddude. There is no Mrs. Sparky. Wish there were but it would crimp my style. Life's a tradeoff.
Do you know who is making the $900 arm? I try to keep up with these things but I have not heard about this one. I know the Kazumi sells for about $8000. That's way too much for me. Plus, I don't need one. Still, that's crazy expensive.
Sparky
Is made by Trans-Fi in the UK. Looks like it's based on the Loudergaard arm.
Price is 470 Pounds Sterling plus shipping.
You know--looking at this arm on the website, it looks like a hell of a deal.That link you provided, that's the MG-1 I mentioned in one of my posts. Oh, yeah, I've got my eye on that one. There's some stuff about it on Art Salvatore's website and on A'gon. It's crude but effective.
Mrs. Olddude is pretty good about my proclivities. She thinks its "cute."
But there's a limit to everything and I'd rather not reach this one. Tonearms are one thing, but I've got vintage/spare/broken audio gear stashed all over the house as it is.
_
Just another old audio fool.
Edits: 01/22/09 01/22/09
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