Tonearm adjustments on the fly
How can you know that the Reed device is the "best of them"? I own both a Reed 2A and a Triplanar. The Reed is indeed a great tonearm, but the adjuster on the TP allows for finer tuning, not that I think fine tuning is so important. I fully realize that later models of the Reed, e.g., the 3P, may have a more precision adjuster, compared to my 2A. Later models of the TP (mine is already 25 years old) offer even finer adjusting than mine. There is a fine tuning VTA adjuster on the Reed 3P, your 2A is cheaper discontinued model without very important features of 3p such as Azimuth on the fly the OP is asking for. Also your TP is 25 years older than the new TP. So what’s the point ? If the OP would like to buy a great tonearm today with ALL adjustments on the fly (VTA with additional fine tuning and AZIMUTH on the fly) then the best in my opinion is Reed 3p. In my opinion TriPlanar is ugly industrial design while the Reed 3p is pretty elegant (remind me of DaVinci tonearm a bit). Is Reed the company that uses wood for the arm? Yes, they use wood, mine is Cocobolo, the wood is oiled and it does not change its properties, it is not just a simple wooden stick. From the new line of Reed I also like 1H and 2G models. Find more images on Artisan Fidelity site. |
Sorry but I dont believe that wood doesnt change properties and even though my understanding is limited I cant fathom why anyone would use this as medium for an arm. I will admit that the Reed is a better looking arm, but such things matter nothing to me personally. The arm that really intrigues me is the Acoustical Systems at I think about $ 12K. |
Every manufacturer making everything, no matter what it is, they constantly choose between performance and other values like convenience and features. You want a lot of features, be prepared to spend big time, and probably never get the performance you would get for less if only you could realize those features just aren't that big a deal. Get on the fly VTA, and call it good. By the way am I the only one who sees "easy adjustments of VTA, SRA, azimuth, and such" and thinks, "This guy doesn't know VTA and SRA are the same adjustment"? And such. Just get VTA. Eventually when you've figured it out you will thank me. |
mechanical complexity can also be compromise. the more adjustments involved, the higher the material quality and precision requirements for the same level of performance. no free lunches. some of my earlier arms did have VTA adjustment on the fly including some mentioned. my current arms are better performing (i prefer them) but can’t do that. the exception was my Rockport Sirius III linear tracker; but it’s build quality was off the charts. bearing towers need to be rock solid. the point i’m making is that beware of buying features without considering the whole picture. is VTA important? yes critical. what is the net performance result of on-the-fly VTA adjustment capability on a particular arm? does it exact a cost? i suppose it comes down to your expectations for arm performance. |
