TW-Acustic Raven 10.5 or DaVinci Grandezza??

Dear Rockitman, dear Lewm, in the early 2000s the Denon DL-103R was introduced.
I bought over a span of about 18 months a total of 46 samples.
Denon - as always - does include it's nice plotted frequency response with the output of both channels in mV.
The output did differ over a range from as low as 0.23mV up to 0.42mV.
Out of these 46 samples - which did came in 3 batches - 4 samples showed absolutely identical output on both coils.
At least identical to 0.005 mV.
Each of these 4 samples sounded VERY different to all the other 42 samples.
Much better than any of the other 42.
In terms of soundstage dimensions, extension and rock solid imaging during crescendi they were the equal of cartridges costing 20x as much.
Each of these 4 samples would have made a excellent example for the 50+ years of fame this particular cartridge enjoys.
Needless to say - each of these 46 samples had a 90° on spot stylus - judged by eyesight.
With the 4 "prime samples" and 4 others I had them examined with an electron-microscope to confirm what mere eyesight and sound did suggest - no derivation from 90° vertical.
With a then US$180 cartridge.
All top performing cartridges where I had a chance to examine their respective output of the coils did show VERY good matched coils indeed.

My cartridge manufacturer would do us a great favor by including a test sheet with the individual output of the coils, source impedance and their inductance ( with LOMCs in particular).

I believe - and have found exactly that on many occasions (read: set-up's in private audio systems ) - that most "azimuth corrections" were in fact stimulated by noticeable unbalanced output, - but ascribed to a misplaced stylus.

I am not a fan of the DaVinci, but I respect Brehm's point of view.
Having had a brief audition to his cartridge - which is dead on 90° of course - I see why his statement was made.
If - IF - all cartridge manufacturers out there would do their work as promised ( I know that Lyra, Ikeda, Denon, AT/Signet, Ortofon do ), there simply should be no need for azimuth adjustment.
Especially so, as - by the sheer frequency it is mentioned and apparently "applied" - it often is used without need and by error.

As is anti-skating.
The large portion of misplaced cantilever in used market cartridges speaks a clear statement here.

A statement which should now promote the thread even further ....;-) ...

I think azimuth is a must for Der :-)

06-24-09: Perrew
D
what in your opinion constitutes a good tonearm?

06-24-09: Dertonarm

Dear Perrew, in no particular order:
- dynamic balanced design (I consider this a must !),
- adjustable overhang and AZIMUTH,
- very rigid construction - resulting in good energy and vibration handling,
- 10" minimum effective length to get below 2 degrees error,

I believe these are among the few key features of any great pivot tonearm design. All truely great pivot tonearms do have these 4 in common (except the Graham Phantom - which I would include in my list).
Cheers,
D.
Dertonarm

Dear Lbelchev, you will be surprised, but again the key problem is reading.
Perrew asked for my opinion what constitutes a good tonearm.
I said above the DaVinci sounds good (if aligned exactly) and that it does represent a better value ( particular in future sale on the used market ) than the other contender.
About azimuth adjustment, I said above it should not be necessary ..... and that I respect Brehm's point of view.

My tonearm too does feature azimuth adjustment (in fact with fine calibrated scale that is - so one will always get back to precisely set positions) - as you will see in 4 months here pictured on Audiogon.

Still very interesting to see, how very few - of the "fan-groups", as well as the more smart ones here - seem to have a problem in the first with misplaced stylus.
Did I miss something here and is it indeed an inevitable law of nature?
Or were we just told for so long it is?

I am realizing that I fight a rather lonely battle here - but no problem, I am used to it.
Following one of SJ's key phrases automatically leads to this.
So - who's next ?

Dertonarm, so do you also think anti-skate is unnecessary? I'm not asking in order to stoke an argument. I respect your knowledge and experience in vinyl, so I'm curious about your opinion on this subject, which is also somewhat controversial.

Dertonarm, this is really blowing the wind hard.

My tonearm too does feature azimuth adjustment (in fact with fine calibrated scale that is - so one will always get back to precisely set positions) - as you will see in 4 months here pictured on Audiogon.

What you are saying is very simple. In theory (or in an ideal audio world), azimuth adjustment on an arm is not necessary. But in reality or from a marketing point of view (if that's the case for you to try to sell der tonarm), it's necessary to have, and you even make it more refined which by itself might be a good thing, although you didn't go as far as what Talea did.

Basically you are saying one thing and doing another. What you believe (if you have one) is not what you are going to behave. Very misleading say the least.

Better put some disclaimer as other dealers or makers do on your future post before you have a brand: maker of Uni-XXX