VPI 2nd Pivot for 3D

@rauliruegas is correct in pointing out that one of the challenges of designing a unipivot is addressing the question of lateral stability and providing for precise and repeatable antiskate. It is precisely these challenges that the designer of the brand of unipivots I prefer (Durand) addresses -- originally via the use of dual magnets to provide lateral stability and adjustment on the Talea and then through the introduction of a precision side bar (aka "2nd pivot") in the Telos and Kairos. The trick with the side bar is that it is engaged via an adjustable sliding weight so that you can set minimal contact force (or more if you so desire). Once this element is in place the rest of it, and frankly the cost, all is down to materials -- and yes the selection of materials in every place on the tonearm does matter. So I’m not surprised that the VPI with 3rd pivot sounds better but surely it would have made more sense to design this in from the outset?

By the way inspired by the video I also closely examined needle drops on both my arms (I have a Kairos for stereo and a Talea for mono) and both go straight down and land with no sign of any wobble 😉

"  Imagine when in true motion ridding those grooves with all those  huge ( every direction ) generated forces ! !"

I know you "imagine" these huge forces Raul but it doesn't make any sense perhaps you should check your VTF todays cartridges track around just a few grams there's no need for "huge" forces if you are using huge forces you are damaging your phono cartridge/stylus/cantilever assembly AND your records! Please get a modern tonearm with a properly matched phono cartridge and the forces you'll need to deal with will be on the order of around just a few grams give or take a tiny bit. Good luck, Raul!

Dear @folkfreak : So, those tonearms are not any more true unipivots ( good. ) but neither a fixed/gimball design.

Anyway, anything out of an unipivot design is just better by a wide margin.

What can be really interesting on the whole subject is to take the best quasi-unipivot design and the best fixed one and through an electronic microscope in slow motion see what is happening at the stylus tip/groove on playback becaause at micrtoscopic levels you, me or any one can't see if exist that wobble in those unipivot designs.
At those microscopic levels we can see that the stylus tip is literally " jumping " in the grooves when ridding and between other things that's why is so important to achieve always a " safe " resonance frequency number between the cartridge/tonearm.

I think that any tonearm must be designed to fulfill the cartridge needs. Understanding those complex cartridge needs.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Raul....Interesting that you mention your objection to VPI arm regarding their serious needs for anti-skate.   I've listened carefully with and without anti-skate on my metal 10.5 arm, on the 3D with and without the 2nd pivot and in all cases, the sound to my ears is better with a/s removed completely.  I've listened a number of times but once I heard the difference, it was clear, I did not want a/s on my arm.

I've had the second pivot for a few months now and have another on the way for my spare arm wand.  It's easy to hear the difference and if you don't like what you hear it's easily removed.