Tri-Planar Vll "SE Upgrade"

Re what Raul said about my experience mating an Acutex LPM320 with compliance = 42, per factory literature, with FR64S using Dynavector headshell which is a bit lighter than a stock FR headshell, it's fantastic, and I hear no bass rumble which you might expect with such a low resonant frequency based on the math.  However, the system is on a poured concrete floor in my basement, and the turntable (TT101) is resting on a large slab of very dense styrofoam used for shipping heavy yet delicate objects.  (Better than any "audiophile" shelf, IMO.) Plus the tonearm mount board is custom made from about 5 lbs of aluminum and heavily damped, plus the FR64S is sitting in a B60 base that also adds mass. Perhaps this is why I don't have an issue.  Add to this the fact that the quoted compliance of 42 is probably referenced to 100Hz; so it would be much lower at 10Hz.  And add to that the age of my NOS Acutex which may serve to lower compliance due to stiffening of the suspension.  This combo is sounding right now to be very slightly superior to a brand new Audio Technica ART7, running next door on a highly tweaked Lenco with a Dynavector tonearm, into the same downstream system. 

I agree with Raul's point that the resonant frequency of the system might not be so important at frequencies well above resonance, which includes all of the music. Unless resonance is excited.

@atmasphere the two discs you cut, are those available? IF I never hear the cannons again it will be toooooooooo soon....

Some of the LPs we cut are on the Nero's Neptune label. The LP I use for reference was not mastered by us- that was done at the Mastering Lab by Mike Reese and Doug Sax. But I have the master tapes- I know what that LP is supposed to sound like. Its called Canto General; a friend of mine came across several sealed copies recently- PM me if interested.

that’s untrue for say the least. Resonance frequency between cartridge y tonearm is like any other parameter: something to take in count but cartridge/arm combination out of 8hz-12hz or even 7hz normally has no problems of mistrcking and certainly with " moderate modulation " never happens.

Tracking abilities depends more on the self cartridge abilities than the tonearm in which is mounted.

This statement is false. Its well known that the resonance target of 7-12Hz plays an enormous role in how well a cartridge will behave in an arm, especially if heavy modulation, warp or non-concentric grooves are involved.  Further, the idea that the arm plays no role in the tracking abilities of the cartridge is ludicrous and is easy to demonstrate :)

"""   the idea that the arm plays no role in the tracking abilities of the cartridge is ludicrous..."""

whom said that other than you   ! ? ! ?  ?! !  No one.


R.

Dear friends @tri-planar: Trying to promote everything where tmasphere has intere$t to makes mon$$y from we customers he posted here and elsewhere things that showed his non-expert opinions almost as the one coming from a rookie in these specific regards: Triplanar tonearm. Please read:


"""
The Reed looks nice but its unlikely to have bearings as hard as those in the Triplanar, ........................................................................
 Softer bearings tend to blunt with use; this causes the arm to have a limited lifespan (mysteriously goes out of adjustment over time).  """


Wow:

I own and owned dozens of tonearms vintage and today ones and in no single one found out that " blunt " or that " limited lifespan " that in this regards all type of bearings has. That those Triplanar bearings " as hards " means almost nothing because that hardness in the bearings is only one part ( important one. ) in the overall builded tonearm. The sum of parts is the key as is the whole excecution quality of any design. Per sé that " hardness just does not make " the difference ".



""" The VTA tower on the Reed appears to be a copy of that of the Triplanar, .......... """

a copy? this is an insult to Reed designer coming the post from an audio manufacturer.
First than all Reed has at least four different tonearm models. Second the Triplanar is a copy too because is a pivot tonearm design and third a copy is what other very well regarded tonearm manufacturers did it with Highphonic and Audiocraft tonearms.


and here discovering the " black thread " shiowing his inexperience about:


"""
But the thing that bothers me is the location of the bearings- they aren't in the plane of the LP surface, and while this makes the arm easier to build, it also means that tracking force will be lessened with bass notes and warp. """

Obviously that a true expert as @tri-planar designers know perfectly that " new discovery " and here is one of several examples with tonearms coming from the 70's, in this case/regards from Audio Technica:


https://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/at-1100.shtml 

you only have to make click on " instruction manual " and you will read a complete explanation on that regards 40+ years ago.

Here another:

https://www.vinylengine.com/library/audio-technica/at-1010.shtml

https://www.vinylengine.com/tonearm_reviews.php?make=Audio+Technica&model=AT+1010


I owned the 1100 and still own the 1010 and this as the Technics EPA100MK2 and the GST-801 or the Max 282 outperforms in design and performance quality the very good Triplanar. All those vintage tonearms were and are " ligth years " a head its time. Just the best of the best including today top tonearms no matter what and I'm saying all those with first hand experiences and with all my respect to the Triplanar designer. In those named tonearms are at least 5 tonearm important characterisitcs that even today designers not even " dream " with.

another untrue history/tale:

   "" It is the most adjustable arm in the world and has the lowest friction bearings of any arm made ....."""

against which vintage or today tonearms? no where exist the bearing friction ( vertical/horizontal ) specs of the Triplanar.

I really respect @tri-planar designer because he came here ( Agon. ) to help a customer with a problem with the Triplanar but he never posted his design is this or that or better than..., he is a HONEST manufacturer as is J.Carr Lyra designer that came here several times to help with any trouble in his cartridges but never to promote his Lyra great cartridge designs. Exactly as Triplanar designer: HONEST, They know very well which is their role in the whole audio industry and always trying to help and not looking for money $$$$$$$$$

My hat off for those HONEST audio manufacturers.


Btw, as other well regarded today tonearms Triplanar has competition from everywhere coming from Schroeder, Origin Live, Rega, Kuzma, Reed, Thales, SAT, Telos one and many more and of course several vintage ones as the ones I mentioned that I owned or own and yes I have triplanar first hand experiences with.

Every single day is a learning day for we audiophiles.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Dear @tri-planar:  "  and has the lowest friction bearings of any arm made ....."""

I', sorry to disturb you but today that the audio world eyes are in the Triplanar thread could you please share those Triplanar official measurements values  of the tonearm vertical/horizontal bearing friction ( and maybe the measurement method/tools used for. ) because not only the Triplanar owners would like to know but many potential audiophiles/customers want it to know too. Information that can confirm what your friend said.

Thank's in advance and again sorry to disturb you but I think is a important Triplanar subject.

R.