The easiest way to conceptualize the 4point bearing is as two knife edges (one for horizontal movement, one for vertical movement) with the center sections removed. Since there are only two points left as contacts at the extreme outsides of the knife-edge, any manufacturing unevenness between the mating surfaces doesn't matter.
And since the pre-loading (mating pressure) is only applied from one side, the loading can be increased without being overly concerned about cracking the bearing balls or thrust plates on the opposing side.
The result is a zero-clearance bearing, which similarly to a unipivot, doesn't have any loose or lightly-loaded components to make noise or resonate. But unlike a unipivot, since the horizontal motion and vertical motion are stabilized across the full width / length of the centerless knife-edges, there is no azimuth floppiness.
The 4points are clever designs that perform quite well.
@daveyf, it is reassuring to know that revisiting the anti-skating settings has brought the Kleos' tracking performance to where it should be.
Regarding the current-generation Well-Tempered tonearms, there is much to like about them. However, granularity of anti-skating and azimuth adjustments could stand some refinements (smile).
kind regards, jonathan carr
And since the pre-loading (mating pressure) is only applied from one side, the loading can be increased without being overly concerned about cracking the bearing balls or thrust plates on the opposing side.
The result is a zero-clearance bearing, which similarly to a unipivot, doesn't have any loose or lightly-loaded components to make noise or resonate. But unlike a unipivot, since the horizontal motion and vertical motion are stabilized across the full width / length of the centerless knife-edges, there is no azimuth floppiness.
The 4points are clever designs that perform quite well.
@daveyf, it is reassuring to know that revisiting the anti-skating settings has brought the Kleos' tracking performance to where it should be.
Regarding the current-generation Well-Tempered tonearms, there is much to like about them. However, granularity of anti-skating and azimuth adjustments could stand some refinements (smile).
kind regards, jonathan carr