Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Basis Audio Vector Tone Arms by JazzDude

Model:	Vector
Category:	Tone Arms
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500
Description:	UniPivot
Manufacturer URL:	Not Available
Model Picture:	View

Review by JazzDude ( A ) on July 31, 2002 at 00:42:16
IP Address: 12.236.166.99

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With my audio priorities, I demand excellence from my analog front end. To that end, I gave up on pivoted arms over 12 years ago when I acquired my first AirTangent tonearm. Subsequent to this, I acquired the best arm AirTangent has produced to date which is the awesome tonearm from the generation after the AirTangent Reference. No other arm that Iâ€™ve heard during these past 12 years has had the ability to convey the emotion and musical life achieved with my AirTangent.
Upon hearing a demo system that included the Vector tonearm from Basis Audio, I evaluated a Vector tonearm in my system. Was I shocked!!! The Vector significantly beat the AirTangent in the low end, was its equal if not better in dynamics which indeed are significant, tracked as well, and matched the AT in every other parameter. Both the Vector and the AirTangent have that rare ability to bring the music within those LP grooves to life; an addictive ability that Iâ€™ve not heard from other arms. My presumption is that their tracking abilities and stunning dynamics are major contributors to this.
Without a doubt, the Vector joins the ranks with the best AirTangents as a high performance tonearm. Everything about the Vectorâ€™s design, like with a Ferrari car, serves to enhance performance. There are no knobs, brackets, or other extra parts that can resonate or affect rigidity. This philosophy differs from most other tonearms currently in vogue. Although a few of these are indeed excellent arms, these other arms are more like Cadillacs, with many built-in features that facilitate convenience, but in so doing impact ultimate sonic performance.
Perusing threads about the Vector in this forum, I noticed that Wally Malewicz, the well known analog maven and designer of turntable setup tools, called the Vector a â€œbreakthrough design.... The best dynamics available with musicality and detailsâ€. Obviously I have not heard every tonearm (well maybe Wally has!!), but his experience mirrors some of my observations.
For those interested in acquiring a new tonearm and desire the best sonic performance at a relatively reasonable price, do evaluate the Vector. And just like the Basis turntables that my friend and I own, the Vector is not tweaky (!!) and requires no maintenance. Just play those LPs!!!
For the technical: The arm has adjustments for VTA, azimuth, anti-skating, and comes with a mirrored template used to set overhang. VTA is adjusted by a lock screw that holds the tonearm base in place. Azimuth is adjusted by adjusting a screw in the housing part of the pivoted assembly. Anti-skating is adjusted by moving a weight thatâ€™s locked on a rod via a screw. Instructions are good and set up is an easy task.

Product Weakness: None found. Well it does not come in any flashy colors.
Product Strengths: Dynamics, tracking, bass, balanced frequency response, truth of timber, no editorializing--it plays whatâ€™s in the grooves in a superb manner.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Joules Grand Marquis
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Cat Ultimate
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Basis Debut/ZYX cartidge
Speakers:	Innersound Eros
Cables/Interconnects:	AlphaCore
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	A mix of many types.
Room Size (LxWxH):	24 x 15 x
Time Period/Length of Audition:	month
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	None found. Well it does not come in any flashy colors.
Product Strengths:	Dynamics, tracking, bass, balanced frequency response, truth of timber, no editorializing--it plays whatâ€™s in the grooves in a superb manner.