Vinyl Asylum

Posted by mosin (M) on October 21, 2012 at 10:47:30

In Reply to: RE: It might be a game changer for a tiny minority (of a tiny minority) who have $6000-9000 to spend on an arm. posted by Rick W on October 21, 2012 at 09:24:38

It sounds as good as the very best pivoting arms, except it shares a major benefit with other linear tracking tonearms. That benefit is that tracks the entire record perfectly, and the result is that it presents far less wear to the stylus. Arguably, perfect tracking also results in more perfect sound reproduction. It is at least one more step in the right direction.

It is better than other linear trackers because it doesn't need fancy motors and pumps to work, and that means it isn't dependent upon the proper function of outside mechanics that fail from time to time. Also, it isn't so limited as to the choices of cartridges that can be made. Often, other linear tracking tonearms are extremely limited when it comes to cartridges used, and they are more likely to require a level of care that pivoting tonearms are free from. This tonearm is the best of both worlds in a smaller package.

Consider the prices of associated frontend equipment in the High-End market, and the price of the tonearm fits. Back in the Seventies, even the entry level SME cost $800. Things are no different now than they were then, except that a lot of things have been improved...not all, but a lot of things.

Do I have the money for one? No, not right now. Do I really, really want one? Yes