12" Tonearm What Have You Heard & Recommend?

Dear John: A Decca or Ikeda cartridge ask a tremendous effort to any tonearm and I know for sure that an unipivot ( like the VPI ) is not the best match for those cartridges,. My opinion is that a tonearm like the Ikeda is really a better one where I never had any problem with mistracking or in other way, you have to try it.

+++++ " The Decca just skitters over these grooves, no matter what I try -- adjusting VTA, VTF, anti-skating, or what. And that is absolutely the only problem." "+++++

THis problem between the Decca and VPI speaks for it self about.

Btw, right now I'm running my Ikeda REX9 through the Mission The Mechanic and I can tell you that this tonearm ( if you can find it ) is an excellent choice too.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Hi Raul, let's put that quote in context: "Any downside, any mistracking, any noise? No, except for the initial grooves on one side of one ECM Ralph Towner disc. The Decca just skitters over these grooves, no matter what I try -- adjusting VTA, VTF, anti-skating, or what. And that is absolutely the only problem." So, out of his ENTIRE record collection, there is only one LP which gives the combination a hard time in terms of tracking (warped records is another matter). Hardly a damnation of the JMW pairing. Physics teaches, via the principle of the conservation of energy, that energy cannot simply disappear, but can only be converted. Which is to say that rigidity and high mass alone will not eliminate the Deccas' tremendous energy. Now I'm not saying that the Ikeda tonearm doesn't work with the Deccas, but fluid is one very efficient way of dealing with the Decca's energies, dissipiating them, while you and Thomas seem to be saying that the high-rigidity/high-mass approach is the ONLY way of dealing with the Deccas. Have either of you tried the Deccas with the JMWs? Anyway, here I disagree, though I'm willing to grant the tonearms you recommend also work. Another tonearm which worked very well with the Deccas was the fluid-damped Maplenoll air-bearing toneam (damped at the headshell, where it is most effective), which is also no longer in production, and which anyway was only available attached to a Maplenoll turntable. At least consider alternatives rather than blindly defend what you know to the exclusion of all else (kinda like the idler-wheel debate ;-)!).

Dear John: I only say that the unipivots are not the best match, I'm not saying: ¡ Don't use it ! and I'm saying that the Ikeda is a better choice along with the Mechanic.

I don't think that this position is a " blindly " one, it is?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

WELL!!----There seems to be another real "contender" in the tonearm game!I have to assume that the Air Tangent is not available any longer(new).I'm referring specifically to air bearing/linear tracking designs.To my ears(though I love a good number of pivoting designs,and own one)the linear tracking/air bearing designs reign supreme,if you want to hear,and have it all!
If you have NOT heard a very well set up system,utilizing superb components,thoughtfully configured,and set up in a very good room,you will never know the REAL bliss of an air/linear tracker!Maintenance warts and all!I have found it hard go for one,for this reason(pumps and hoses etc)but I will not allow myself to rationalize these designs are not superior in ALL areas of meaningful performance,to their competition.Sorry!And sorry for myself,too!My friend has sold his Air Tangent,but I've heard a good amount of linear trackers,in my time and am convinced they are KING/Queen/Emperor/Pharoh,yada yada yada!
This business of lateral mass,etc, as a potential problem for lower cartridge life is not something I have seen in about ten years listening to the Air Tangent(in a friend's set-up.IT WORKS PERFECTLY!!EVERY TIME YOU CUE AN LP!!His cartridges lasted a really long time,too!

Now the Kuzma seems great,yet, and yet it IS BIG BUCKS!!

There is a very interesting new design(as I understand it) coming from --believe it or not---the "Cartridge Man"!

The looks and finish seem really high quality,as does the design implementation.Yet it is the price that should make this design a contender.Including pump, around "three grand"!
This places this well under the "big boys",in price,yet wait until you view the quality of this design!Looks like half price of the best linear designs,but build and "word on the street" performance should guarantee(at least IMO)some interest here.At least it "should" garnish an enthusiastic following.Unless we are swayed by the "CACHE" of price and a good marketing campaign.

Best!

Anybody had any experience with the Decca London International tone arm? Besides Ken Kessler? I noticed one popped up on ebay supposedly NOS (New Old Stock). May not be 12" but...