Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

Hey Lew,

Will you accept the possibility that due to geometry differences (overhung vs. underhung) different metrics may dominate the sonic behavior of each?  I experimented with this a bit last year and found that TAE dominates the overhung sonic signature but 4X+ the TAE in the underhung case was not only listenable but enjoyable.  To me this was a clear case that X° of TAE in an overhung arm ≠ X° of TAE in an underhung arm and makes any comparisons based on solely that parameter flawed.  The one clear take away from the underhung experiment was that the position of the single null point was critical and should be placed near where the inner null typically falls.

dave

Yes, that is what I’ve been offering as a possibility along with the reduction in skating force.

@dogberry I have made it known within this thread previously that a similar trial as your own is intended to be experienced on a New Tonearm Design I am very familiar with.

I am not sure when this is to occur, but it will, the designer / builder of the Tonearm is inquisitive enough to want to know how the experience will impact on them, I am  keen to see how the experience impacts on me as well.

A mod' to a Headshell is easily achievable, nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

Your thoughts on what you experienced even with the proposed notion the Geometry might not be ideal, should not be a reason to deter, is the not the whole debate about overhung / underhung all about the Geometry being incorrect on one type and the compensation measures in place on the other type being negative influence ???      

I guess the questionable part is whether the bearings being aligned with an offset headshell is going to make the rest of the experiment invalid?

I guess the questionable part is whether the bearings being aligned with an offset headshell is going to make the rest of the experiment invalid?

My take on it is Just Do It....I  think the flaw here is without actually doing the test,  to assume that *IF* it makes a sonic difference that the 'mis-aligned' bearing is a liability and not an asset.  It seems a common experience that in trying to do comparisons, the perceived sonic difference in two tests is not confined to / caused by the singular parameter being examined.

This discussion kinda got to this point from the categorical insistance that the high  TAE of an underhung arm means they are a flawed design and must be awful sounding.  This coming from a group that has never heard one of the arms in question.   Based on a long list of anecdotal reports that this may not be the case. This puts me in lew's corner looking at the other parameters for possible 'alternative explanations'  that may help paint a clearer picture of how what we hear aligns with what we think.

dave