How to choose an upgraded tonearm.

@skyscraper 

Tell us what you do and how it works out. You have piqued my interest. While, I said, not something I would do… interested in the outcome.

Raul. you’re right there is a lot to learn, and the resources to learn are severely limited here. I’m out in the countryside with not even a high end dealer within several hours drive. But I do have an interest in trying to make at least a better informed decision than a shot in the dark. So I have at my disposal the internet, books and magazines to try and source information. You’re also correct that it’s hard to separate the wheat from the chaff with anything you read online.

I wouldn’t know anything at all about stereo equipment except it’s been a hobby of mine since the 1970’s, like many of the readers here.. I used to subscribe to three audio magazines back then and checked out stereo equipment stores which were plentiful in those days. Even went to a New York Audio Society meeting once. But that’s it. I’m not expecting to become an audio engineer any time soon. If I ever travel down near you though, I’ll stop by, pick your brain, and you can show me a few things. Until then Vaya con Dios mi amigo, hope that translates okay. Thanks for your advice.

Tablejockey and ghdprentice, I will be going at least for a few years with the stock JMW arm and a dual pivot mod. Might not be perfect, but should be pretty good. I was reading up today on the reportedly overly expensive VPI Fatboys since they should fit the current base. i’m not going to customize the turntable unless it’s truly a minor thing to do.

So maybe an eventual upgrade to a second hand gimballed Fatboy might be the only practical option.. It is frustrating to know that there are better tonearms out there in that price range, that won’t fit the VPI tonearm’s base. Resale however is not a concern. I plan on being entombed with the VPI Classic 2 and the rest of my newly purchased equipment, just like the Egyptian pharaohs used to be with their valuables.

I also plan on spending my remaining savings on traveling to foreign lands, beautiful French women, oil paintings and constructing a woodworking shop. That takes in everything from the ethereal to the mundane. No more stereo equipment though.

Lewm. I hope you know I was joking with you,. There are a lot of things to consider. and I will keep in mind the points you make. Maybe one day I’ll figure all this out. Take care,

Mike

Whatever you buy, make sure that it's adjustable. That is: VTA, VTF, azimuth, anti-skating (if applicable).

If you're prepared to accept a little quirkiness, you can take advantage of the greatest bargain in high end: the Trans-Fi Terminator, an air bearing linear tracker. Actually, that's air horizontally and a mechanical pivot vertically. Direct from the manufacturer, on the net.

Performs on the level of anything costing less than a new car. I use two: one with a Nottingham Analog upgraded to near Dais specification running a Miyajima Zero, and a DIY air bearing unit running a higher end Koetsu. Bonus: they are perfect for modifying and tweaking, which you need to do if running low compliance MC cartridges like these.

Reminds me of my old Bang and Olufsen Beogram 4002 tangental straight arm tracking tonearm. Probably not nearly sophisticated as yours.

Mike

@lewm 

The description is from Vinyl Engine offering an explanation on the DTS System utilised by Audio Technica.

I believe it is this Tonearm that was the birthplace for the commonly used philosophy for a design, that has a Stylus Contact Point and Pivot Vertical Motion Point designed to be at the same level. (Pivot in the Plane of the LP, is a loose description for this design)   

To get the Math on the principle might be a little more difficult to acquire.

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AT - 1010 is a DTS (Dynamic Tracing System) Tonearm that blends an original design with new materials.

Also, the tracing performance of Universal Tonearms has been Totally Reconsidered in this new design.

Development efforts were aimed at improving the overall tracing performance of the dynamic system with a cartridge mounted.

This results in Improvement in Auditory Sensitivity and Elimination of Resonance.

One of the most obvious features of the AT-1010 is to Stabilise Stylus Force in Dynamic Variations, an inherent problem with Conventional, General Arms, caused by the change in velocity of the modulated record groove.

For this purpose, the front pipe is set at a far higher location than the pivot bearing.

Also, the arm is equipped with a damping mechanism to damp low frequency resonance.

As a result, this Tonearm gives a tracing performance that is in no way inferior to an integrated arm.

Review

The AT1010 exhibits a refined geometry, whereby the vertical motion pivot axis is in line with the stylus tip, thereby minimising the effect of varying stylus drag upon instantaneous downforce.