Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

It's great to see you doing your homework before making a decision. That's always a smart move! I can totally understand why you're struggling to wrap your head around this new arm concept. It can be tough to visualize how something will work until you see it in action. From what I've heard, though, this arm is the real deal. It seems to be performing as advertised, with zero overhang and no offset.

Less than zero overhang.  Underhang.

I could mount a cartridge on a paper straw and most people would think it sounded OK. The Viv arm is a terrible execution of a poor design. 

Yes, everyone knows what you think. Does your disdain apply to the very idea of an underhung tonearm or only to the Viv Float, which is a bit eccentric in other ways?  I wish someone would market an underhung tonearm that is otherwise conventional.  The only one I know of requires you to buy the Yamaha GT5000 turntable, complete with its underhung tonearm.  If Yamaha were to market that arm as a separate entity, I would be interested.  And I am also interested in the Viv.

I actually don’t think you could mount a cartridge on a paper straw, whether the straw was overhung or underhung.

@intactaudio I did try the Sperling underhung, but I could only get it underhung by around 8mm. That way it did distort on the last track of some records. I'll try it on another turntable where I can get it to 15-20mm.