Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

As I’ve said before, I’d value your opinion if you would seriously audition an underhung tonearm. That would be a real contribution. The way forward in science, and even in this trivial pursuit of audio excellence, is to seek an explanation for observations that run contrary to one’s cherished beliefs, rather than to ignore surprising results. That’s all I’m trying to do here.

If the Spec's say it does 0-60 in 4.5 Seconds and the best one can get in their attempts is 5.5 Seconds does the driving experience really become unsatisfactory, as testing undertaken by very special individuals in their field of expertise are not repeatable by mere mortals.

Enjoying the Ride is surely the Goal. 

Yamaha still produce a underhung TA available today, there latest TT is adorned with it. The Company have stuck loyal to the Geometry for a long period of time.

The idea of comparing a Underhung Design using a conventional design arm, in comparison to the alternatives seen in the 'Viv' should produce a interesting to read assessment. 

As for What's Best Forum, there are a few contributors on there with a vast experience and any one looking for an alternative viewpoint will not be selling themselves short having a look at the info on offer. 

@pindac 

It is not how fast you go, but how you go fast.

@lewm 

With only so much money to spend and only so much real estate in my media room I prefer to head down the path of least resistance. Negating skating forces is a noble cause. Minimizing tracking error is also a noble cause. I would prefer a solution that does both. Until I can manage that leap I prefer to stay where I am. The VIV arm may sound fine but it is not the solution I am looking for. 

Mijo, with great respect, all I’m asking for is a thoughtful cessation of knee jerk negative reactions to the very idea of an underhung tonearm with zero offset. Your point about cost is interesting; you’d rather not spend on an underhung tonearm so as to save your money to buy a different type of tonearm that costs 2-3X more. Just spent 2 afternoons at CAF and didn’t see the Schroeder or Reed tangential arms on demo, but did see a TruGlider with Nasotec headshell sporting an optical DS Audio cartridge. That setup makes the Viv look old school.

Mijo, I have to apologize. Of course you have every right to choose where to spend your bucks and to reject one innovative approach in favor of another. As you know, I waited to buy the Viv Float until we were in Tokyo, and at a time when the yen to dollar exchange rate is at an all time high favoring the dollar, which saved me quite a bit on cost.  I am kind of a high end cheapskate.