Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

Skating force may not be an important factor in tracking error. Joe Grado believed so and didn't use anti-skate on his wooden tone arm. So did Ikeda-san whose early arms lack anti-skate. I have two - an FR29 and an FR54. I presently have the Coral Sleeping Beauty mc on the FR29. It tracks fine from outer to inner grooves. I don't hear any distortion at a tracking force of 2 grams. My preference is for linear- track TT's. I have five:  B&O, Marantz SL7U, Mitsubishi, Rabco and Revox. These have their own peculiar quirks! 

I have the Grado wood arm. Mine is awaiting restoration.

Too bad we can't ask Ikeda-san his opinion of the Viv Lab arm! Why does it cost so much? My first good tonearm back in '77 was the SME Improved, for which I bought new for $175! That went on an Ariston RD11S ($280, which I still have!).

"Skating force may not be an important factor in tracking error."

To unpack your statement a little bit, skating force is in part directly proportional to tracking angle error. The term "in part" enters into it if you are using an offset headshell. With no headshell offset angle, then skating force is directly proportional to tracking angle error. Think about it.

Really, why would we care about Ikeda-san’s opinion of the Viv? Can’t we form our own opinions by listening to it? He could tell us about its technical "shortcomings", to the degree the design differs from that of any conventional overhung tonearm with a headshell offset angle, but those are obvious.

Why does exotic audio gear cost so much these days?  Probably because the sellers think enough of us will pay their prices to justify their costs and need for profit.  But this has nothing to do with good or bad performance, in my opinion.

I have the Viv Labs Rigid Float 9", it wiped the floor against a Kuzma 4point, Kuzma 313ref, SME V and SME V12.

So to all the naysayers don't spout off about something you have never heard.