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Trans-Fi Terminator Tonearm: 2019 Update

In reading a few related posts on linear tracking tonearm, in general,  and Trans-Fi Terminator , in particular, I thought I would give a brief update of the Terminator.

I purchased the arm directly from Andrey in Moscow two months ago. From what I understand, Andrey has taken over production after Vic's retirement. What I received is the most up-to-date version of the arm with the carbon fibre wand and brass counterweights, the direct wire leads from cartridge to  phono amp, and a new brass manifold ( not evident from the main web-site). Both the wand and the new manifold are Andrey's contribution to the continued refinement of the Terminator.

Also,  please visit this site: https://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/terminator-tonearm-new-arm-mount/. This gentlemen from NZ has developed a new arm mount for the Terminator which advanced the arm's sonics even further. It was reading through the the development of this new arm mount that convinced me to order the Terminator after much prior research. I did not purchase the arm mount from NZ as it would not readily fit my Verdier La Platine, instead Andrey made a custom arm mount. It is in essence a two point support mount rather than a single point support rod that is commonly used. 

My previous arm was a SME V of 1990's vintage mounted with a ZYX airy. The Terminator is several notch above the SME V. All the accolades given to the Terminator seem justified. My main point in writing is that the new developments by Andrey, i.e. the carbon fibre wand and the newest brass manifold, seem to improve upon the Terminator even more ( see link above ). This is the news that I wanted to share with existing Terminator owners. I asked Andrey to start a blog on all the new stuff that is happening with the arm, but it seems that he is busy making 'things'!




ledoux1238
terry9
2,333 posts
 
Well, I take all my reservations back. The Panzerholz wand is very fine indeed with the KRSP.

There is no obvious vertical or horizontal resonance from a test record. Maybe it's outside the range, but listening tests do not reveal that either. Not to say that it tracks everything perfectly. There are some problem records, but nothing tracks worse, and everything sounds better overall.

Considerably more detail, considerably less HF hash than the aluminum Tomahawk. Those who love CD's would be very disappointed - they would find it dead. What I hear is more smoothness, more delicacy. Dialect is especially revealing.

My tests have included solo voice, duets, trios, massed choir, small orchestra, large orchestra. Everything sounds better than the Tomahawk with the same cartridge. To my ears. YMMV
ledoux1238 OP
280 posts
 
Terry,

The development of your Panzerholz wand is very informative, that it improves over the Tomahawk. The refinement of the Terminator carries on, first with the carbon fiber wand, and now equally (? ) the Panzerholz. I wonder if a laminate of  Panzerholz + CF might not be a further improvement, improving on the stiffness / rigidity of the wand.

Would you consider getting a CF wand and give us a review / impression?

As part of my purchase of the Terminator I asked Andrew to make a custom arm board to accommodate my Verdier TT. It consists of laminated layers of Baltic plywood with a top CF plate. It allows the Terminator to be fastened at two points.
It seems harder for us enthusiasts to work with carbon fiber, but I suspect Andrew would be amenable to producing a custom wand with CF / plywood combo. for heavier cartridges.
terry9
2,333 posts
 
Ledoux, the difference between Baltic birch and Panzerholz is huge. I use both (when I can’t afford Panzerholz) like the sub enclosure for HT. The Panzerholz wand is very rigid; I wasn’t sure if it would need a 7075 aluminum lamination, but it doesn’t.

Good idea about fastening the Terminator at two points. I’ve found that really helps.

Given how successful the Panzerholz was, I suspect that I’m at the limit of the Terminator design, so I’m designing and building an arm with a fully captured air bearing at the pivot. Trick is going to be to make it as adjustable as the Terminator, which is perhaps T’s strongest suit. But doubt if I’ll have much to report for many months.
dover
2,243 posts
 
@terry9
@ledoux1238

I tried panzerholtz as an armboard material, but it is not dimensionally stable. I used 25cm thick stock - it was not flat. I had to cut, invert and laminate 2 pieces to get the armboard dead true.

With the carbon fiber wand I would have thought it would be worth having a vertical spine down the centre to minimmise any bending motion.

ledoux - on my Verdier I made armblocks from carbonised bamboo - its harder than maple and easy to work with. If I had kept my Verdier I would build a new plinth from german engineered quartz stone - 95% stone / 5% epoxy. I have had great success with this with Garrard Idlers. Its very inert, stable and sounds good. With my own Garrard 301 which I use as second TT, I used some leftover 40mm carbonised bamboo ply for the plinth - it was very good soundwise.

terry9
2,333 posts
 
@dover  

25 cm - what's it for, the Bismarck? (Just being pedantic. Think you mean mm - that's the danger with the metric system, one makes order of magnitude errors).

I agree about stability, at least to some extent. But after aging my 19mm for a year, it didn't seem to shift at all. Not that I've measured it. After sealing, I should think it's as good as any wood laminate. 

For the record, I laminated 7 pieces for my wand, much the same solution as yours. It's made from 7 pieces of aged 19mm epoxied together so the wand is constructed from 150 or so wood/phenolic laminations front to back.
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