Linear Tracker ...I was wondering

Chakster
That Technics MC pmount cart would likely cost more than my SL-10 did , IF one could find one that is!

205 mk4 MM cost even more than 301 MC

miyostyn,

I was able to get a better overall design in the Pete Riggle Woody arm which is so well thought out it has 3 OTF adjustments, uses NO tools to mount, has wonderful pictures and directions for use and optimization of the various parameters, looks good, and sounds extremely fine.  Does it sound better than the Trans-Fi?  MAYBE.  I had a notion of going to 2 arms on my massive Lenco rebuild with a beautiful 10-layered 100 lb. plinth that has a 24" X 20" top and is 7" H.  The Woody is easier to use.  The Trans-Fi sounds very fine also and utilizes an aquarium motor that is pretty quiet compared to the Maplenoll's LOUD motor I had to house in a separate closet 50 ft. away from my dedicated room in the basement.
There is a lot to admire in the design of the TF arm.  It has a very industrial look, which is cool and looks like the actual cutting lathe records are made on.  I liked that part.  I just liked the Woody better overall when I decided having 2 arms, 2 cartridges, etc. is just too much.

Bob

Got a scissors?

Terry9, I won't even look at an air bearing arm because of the problem of too much horizontal mass. The horizontal axis has to be driven and the arm has to have a passive horizontal bearing. Then you deal with tonearm effective mass like any other tone arm. Yamaha had the right idea but I think for the best motor isolation and reliability a belt drive would be best. It is however a tricky proposition. I believe a rack and pinion design would do it, the pinion being driven by the belt. Motion is so slow noise should not be a problem. The motor then has t have some type of servo control that predicts where the tonearm has to go. I envision a laser reading the groove just in front of the stylus. A groove is like the grand canyon next to CD pits. Should be easy to do. Unfortunately, small companies lack the technical horsepower to design this. It would be up to one of the big guys like Sony, Yamaha or JVC and they are not interested in such a small market. 
I encourage every straight line tracker owner to closely observe their cantilever tracking the record. If you see the cantilever drift side to side even just a little you have a problem. 

I also forgot to mention that the general feeling in the press is that the 4 Point is better sounding than the Air Line.