Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

Dear @atmasphere : "" one thing that is instantly audible is how much better the bass is, which, if compared to CDs or RtR tape of the same recording, .......... But its more than that, with the rigidity also comes a more transparent midrange and smoother highs ...... """

I agree and I could add something that I posted several times in different forums:

as better the the bass range as better the other ttwo main ranges: mid-range and high frequency bacause the bass and its harmonics now are " clean " and impedes that the " high dust " before puts alot of dirt in the other frequency ranges. Tonearm rigidity is out of question.

A good bass home system management makes per se not only that THD/IMD goes lower but the overall quality reproduced sound/MUSIC been improved by a wide margin and now the system listening sessions really shines as never before. MUSIC in home systems " belongs "/live in the bass range. That’s too why subs is a strictly necessity in any home system.

R.

@intactaudio  : "" by comparison the same profile (microrisdge) on the underhung  Schröder reference reminds me nothing of what I would expect hear from a similar error on a traditional arm.  This simply tells me that there must be more to this than simply looking at the TAE as a single factor.....""

and if you make the same test with other 4-5 different tonearms you will listen different quality levels. Of course TAE is not the single factor for that. Almost any one know that exist several other cartridge/parameters that affects directly or inderectly the cartridge/tonearm combination developed listened distortions levels.

I think the " simplistic " is you or have a misunderstood about.

About mistracking @atmasphere  is rigth: it belongs to the play proccess and exist several reasons why that could happens: way out resonance frequency between cartridge/tonearm combination ideal resonance frequency range, vibrations generated external/internally in the room/system ( that's why accurated bass range is a must to have as tonearm rigidity. ), even in LT tonearm designs exist " constant " mistracking " because at stylus tip ride levels that stylus tip has micro/tiny " jumps " following the LP groove modulations, I think that no one is totally sure if the LP off-center and its micro-waves could affects stylus tip tracking, exist some recordings where almost all tonearm/combinations mistracking due to the LP high velocity/amplitude recorded grooves as: original Telarc 1812, at least 2 tracks of original RR 45rpm Dafos LP, M&K D2D Bachs scores and other LPs like these ones Crytal Clear D2D organ scores , etc, etc., mistakes by the system owner in the cartridge/tonearm alignment and VTF parameter and the like, etc, etc.

R.

Dave, when you consider the fact that the Viv is supposed to be underhung by 17 mm, as you point out, I think one very inhibiting factor about buying the longer versions is that 99% of plinths will not accommodate such a long tonearm that in addition has to be underhung by 17 mm. Your mounting board would be in the next room. The base of a 14 inch Viv, which I believe is available, would be nearly 15 inches away from the spindle. It would be difficult to achieve rigid coupling in that situation.

@lewm , Never second guess a tool collector. The only thing I am lacking are the LPs. Go to Channel D's web site and check out Mac the Scope and Waavebox.

I use a calibrated microphone and an audio analytic program to measure the output of the system on top of the measurements the preamp processor makes. Most of my testing is on the output of the system. It seems your memory is just as bad as mine. Old age sucks. 

@intactaudio , All these parameters count at some level and every type of distortion has a range of volume. At some low level the distortion becomes inaudible. The key is to minimize all parameters to the point where each one is inaudible which requires a balanced design with the appropriate compromises. To go all the way with any one parameter at the expense of the others is a huge mistake. After the 9" offset, pivoted arm the  arms that do the best job of this are the Schroder LT  and the Reed 5A and 5T. A carriage driven straight line tracker like the Dereneville DTT-05 could be a contester if it were not for the stupid price.

I am neither polite or politically correct. The Viv arm is a pitifully sad design for a number of reasons. The fact that it can sound OK speaks only to the mediocracy of some systems and the inexperience of some listeners.   

After a discussion with one of my Tonearm Designer friends, it has ben agreed that on a Tonearm being produced to enable a ease to experience Wires for the Signal Path against a Tonearm with a permanent wire configuration, using the Wire of choice.

There is now to be a Underhung Geometry produced for a demonstration on the Tonearm with the option to use easily exchangeable wires.

One thing this Tonearm will offer as well, is that the Styli, when in contact with the LP Groove is positioned on the same plane as the Vertical Pivot Axis. 

The lessening of friction resulting from the above above Styli/Pivot Geometry, along with the tolerances produced for the Tonearms Bearings and extremely low friction present during operation, is going to supply a operational environment for the Cart' that is difficult to surpass.

The TT to be used has not undergone the Platter Bearing Modification that my own one has, as a result, a extra run off will most likely be present with this bearing in use. There is a plan for a New Bearing design for this TT, but to have the most modern methods used, a new stator mounting bowl is needed to be produced, this is a later design to be developed.

The Speed Control on the TT to be used for the trials is modified and functions as my own TT does. 

There is a possibility that I might take my TT out of storage and put it to use on the Panzerholz Plinth being used to mount the Two Tonearms. This assembly will be mounted in a manner to create the control conditions that iron out unwanted influences during the assessments.

Note: As with what is assumed is the content of 99% percent of assessments discussed by numerous contributors anywhere, all follow up discussion will be a subjective evaluation and the impressions made will be described.