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Tonearm mount on the plinth or on Pillar ?

Folks,
I am looking to buy a custom built turntable from Torqueo Audio (http://www.torqueo-audio.it/). They have two models, one with a wide base plinth where the tonearm would be mounted on the plinth (as usual) and the second is a compact plinth where they provide a seperate tonearm pillar to mount the tonearm. According to them the separate tonearm pillar version sounds more transparent and quieter because of the isolation of the tonearm from the TT. My concern is whether seperating the tonearm from the plinth would result in a lesser coherence in sound ? Isnt sharing the same platform results in a more well-timed, coherent presentation ? Any opinions ?
pani
terry9
2,353 posts
 
Well, Ralph, your explanations are perfectly intuitive to me. 

When I replaced my TT plinth, a rigid coupling of the platter bearing and the tonearm seemed intuitively obvious - I used a sandwich of heavy, precision aluminum plate, with the bearing surfaces machined into a high precision match. Improvement was not subtle.

Your calm is admirable.

 

halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
I've explained it twice in this thread already. What part of my prior explanations are unclear? The 'noise' is actually introduced when the arm and platter bearings are able to move in different planes and rates. This is what happens when a separate arm pillar is employed.
 

But what you haven't addressed at all, is a description and photo of the separate arm pillar you employed.
You apparently believe that all separate arm pillars are the same regardless of size, weight, construction, density and supports.
The only reason an arm pillar can 
move in different planes and rates
is if it is inadequate.
And failing your willingness to describe the arm pillar you employed in your tests.....It's apparent it was 'inadequate' for the purpose.
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
Dear @pani: Now that you have several opinions on your main subject thread: which was your choice?
Dear Raul, the fact that this question occured to me even though I am a layman when it comes to technicalities of analog playback is an indication that I value that ultimate coherence of sound over the last word in transparency. Some of the most coherent and musically correct sounding decks I have heard, all have tonearms mounted on the plinth even though they have all the engineering prowess to build a seperate tonearm pillar. The simplicity of an integrated design brings about a simplicity in reproducing the music too IMO. I only wanted to confirm it by this thread. I am happy that there are many more who think like me including an audio designer like Atmasphere. If I was allowed to try the seperate tonearm pillar + plinth I would have happily taken the trial and come to a conclusion but when I am buying blind I will go by the proven practice of getting a single wide plinth with tonearm mounted on it.

Thanks everyone for this lively discussion. Please continue if you would like to.
fleib
1,124 posts
 

Pani,

I was about to start a pod style build and now find this thread particularly frustrating with lack of any hard information. What was this pod that Atmasphere used and how is this motor noise relevant?  We assume, but don't really know if the separate pod was even used on the same isolation platform.

**According to them the separate tonearm pillar version sounds more transparent and quieter because of the isolation of the tonearm from the TT. My concern is whether seperating the tonearm from the plinth would result in a lesser coherence in sound ? Isnt sharing the same platform results in a more well-timed, coherent presentation ?**

Timing and coherence were not addressed. Perhaps other people who use or have used both styles of arm mounts could comment.  I suspect results vary greatly with individual application. Apparently the people making and selling the table you're considering think it sounds quieter and more transparent with a separate arm mount. Their conclusion about quieter does not conform to Atmasphere's rules. Think it's just a sales pitch to sell separate arms/pods and more expensive set ups ? 

With lack of evidence to the contrary, I would take their statement at face value. Maybe you should get in touch with them and ask them to elaborate about these differences with these tables and its significance.

Regards,

 

halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Pani,
Perhaps you should take note of an audio designer who actually designs and sells tonearms and turntables.....
Someone like Frank Kuzma who makes the 4 Point and Airline tonearms and whose top-of-the-line turntable uses a separate armpod.
I’d be hesitant in calling Frank a fool....

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