Origin Live Tonearms

My observations on 12" vs 9" and anti-skating.

A well-fettled slate 401 with 9 and 12" Jelco TK850 tonearms.

The 9" has a slightly more incisive bass and tempo. Almost a CD quality to its delivery across all frequencies. Best for rock and electronic. The 12" goes a little deeper, has better dimensionality, naturalness, sweetness, air and space, with finer highs. Best for jazz and voice.

I do not use anti-skate on the 12" except when there’s a warp or dimple. It simply sounds better with it off. Note that I use London-Decca cartridges with no cantilever which likely impacts how AS impacts playback.

@noromance you have a nice analogue rig. Your comment on not using anti skate on your 12" tonearm because it sounds better is what I typically hear from others. I personally believe that tonearm science is very much an art where the slightest little adjustments have a noticeable affect. I recently just finished making adjustments to my Thorens TP16 Mk1 and it's tracking better than before however it's still just a utilitarian tonearm. The most noticeable issues that I've been having are slight pitch/tonal fluctuations, especially regarding solo piano, i.e. Glenn Gould Beethoven Sonatas Speakers Corner/Columbia. These groove are tricky and I don't think the TP16 is up to the task. So while it's a mono dedicated table, I think the cost of the OL Encounter is justified. I wish I could hear those London/DECCA cartridges.

NOT MUCH FOCUS HERE ON THE ACTUAL TOPIC....ORIGIN LIVE TONEARMS