Trans-Fi Terminator Tonearm: 2019 Update

In reading a few related posts on linear tracking tonearm, in general, and Trans-Fi Terminator , in particular, I thought I would give a brief update of the Terminator.

I purchased the arm directly from Andrey in Moscow two months ago. From what I understand, Andrey has taken over production after Vic's retirement. What I received is the most up-to-date version of the arm with the carbon fibre wand and brass counterweights, the direct wire leads from cartridge to phono amp, and a new brass manifold ( not evident from the main web-site). Both the wand and the new manifold are Andrey's contribution to the continued refinement of the Terminator.

Also, please visit this site: https://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/terminator-tonearm-new-arm-mount/. This gentlemen from NZ has developed a new arm mount for the Terminator which advanced the arm's sonics even further. It was reading through the the development of this new arm mount that convinced me to order the Terminator after much prior research. I did not purchase the arm mount from NZ as it would not readily fit my Verdier La Platine, instead Andrey made a custom arm mount. It is in essence a two point support mount rather than a single point support rod that is commonly used.

My previous arm was a SME V of 1990's vintage mounted with a ZYX airy. The Terminator is several notch above the SME V. All the accolades given to the Terminator seem justified. My main point in writing is that the new developments by Andrey, i.e. the carbon fibre wand and the newest brass manifold, seem to improve upon the Terminator even more ( see link above ). This is the news that I wanted to share with existing Terminator owners. I asked Andrey to start a blog on all the new stuff that is happening with the arm, but it seems that he is busy making 'things'!

ledoux123808-28-2019 2:02am

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ledoux1238 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 294 posts 03-28-2023 at 12:30am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I wondered if any Terminator owners have been in contact with Andrey in Moscow? He is not returning emails. I would like to order a few carbon wands. Thanks!
pindac Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,864 posts 08-06-2023 at 01:27pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Is there not a shut down in the operations of dealing with the postal system within Russia at present, where post is not being sent in, when received by Western Countries Postal Services and not being sent on ti Western Addresses when received by a Western Country Postal Service. Sanctions I believe are in work. My own plan to receive a service from a Russian National have been on hold for over a year.
ledoux1238 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 294 posts 08-06-2023 at 10:46pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @pindac Thanks for the reply. I had an accessary sent from Russia to me in 2022 and it took two months through its postal service. With the War on, I did not expect a reply from Andrey. Anyone has an unused carbon fiber wand for sale ?
qwin Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 21 posts 02-11-2025 at 10:42am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Hi On the subject of wands and upgrades...... I’ve been a Terminator user for over a decade. Back in the day, when Vic at TransFi was fitting steel pivot pins, running directly in the Aluminium "V" of the Strap extrusion, users like myself were experiencing chatter based distortion. I discussed this with Vic and mentioned I was going to try lining the "V" with various materials including Silicon and Nylon. This would not be easy to achieve as a production feature and I mentioned that an alternative might be to use Nylon pivot pins, which are available off the shelf, just requiring a point to be added. This is where we followed different paths, Vic followed the plastic pin route and I followed the plastic "V" route. I removed material from the bottom of the strap extrusion and let in some Nylon 6 strips. This works very well and by pressing down with finger pressure, the steel pins leave impressions in the Nylon, which stops the wand moving around in the "V" or sliding out when I return the slider to its resting position a bit to enthusiastically. Another issue I had, was the Mounting Plate was flexing/bending when I tightened the Pivot Bolt. This made levelling the Sled almost impossible, so I designed and made a stronger Mounting Plate. This mounting is much stronger. I will be turning my attention to smoothing the air supply next, maybe filling the tank with Polystyrene beads. You can see my whole project, including my method of wire dressing, on my Web Blog Here:
ledoux1238 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 294 posts 02-12-2025 at 03:22am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @qwin I visited your web blog and browse through your art work...very nice. Regarding all your tweaks and modification on the Terminator tone arm, they, too, look impressive. Most of your modifications have been adpoted by Andrey when I bought my tonearm from him. What is most interesting is your mounting plate. I'd like to PM you and see if I can buy one from you, if you are willing to make extra.