Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

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.

@maxson 

The less the underhang the closer the single null point will be to the runout groove.  It is also important to pay attention to the cartridge zenith since a slight offset of the Zenith from 0° will have the same net effect as a slight change in the underhang.

dave