Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

"I had to change to pivot alternative to reach the rigth bass range and to do this the second best alternative was and is use the Löfgreen alignments that puts that stylus tip nearer to what the LT does: NO MATTER WHAT. .."

That depends, doesn't it, on what a LT tonearm "does".  In your opinion, it's the elimination of TAE.  But the virtue of an LT tonearm could just as well be the elimination of the skating force. If you think the goal above all else is to keep TAE as low as possible, even if it means a significant increase in the skating force, then an overhung tonearm is just the ticket.  If the goal is minimizing the skating force, then an underhung tonearm is preferable, when choosing among pivoted tonearms. Also, one could argue that the overhung tonearm does not come closest to an LT tonearm at any point in its arc; only the underhung tonearm achieves zero TAE and zero skating force, at its single null point.  The overhung tonearm never gets near to the latter goal. Anyway, I apologize to anyone reading this thread.  I hope I and some others who appreciate the Viv have convinced at least a few of us to approach the issue with an open mind.

Raul

 

 The underhung just has not that "perfect "equilibrium

Can you provide a list of underhung arms you have experimented with?

dave

Is there the possibility the Cart's Styli will have less wear from a Groove Side Wall when used on a Underhung Geometry Tonearm?

I ask this, as the anti skate is not required, hence the force that can be applied to a groove side wall, through Anti Skate Setting creep or inaccurate set up on a Overhung Geometry is no longer an impact on the Styli when used on a Underhung Geometry.

In relation to the value of some Cart's that are being purchased and mounted on a Tonearm, if a method used that is able to extend Cart' Life through lessened wear, and the TA > Cart' marriage is one the end user finds audibly satisfying. The notion that wear might be decreased, might be one more occurrence to add to why a underhung geometry is worth considering.  

Pindac, good question about stylus wear. We’ll have to wait and see; using theory, I could argue either side of that question in favor of either overhang with AS or underhang.

My experience of dealing with AS has left me to do the method where there is a eye on the Styli/Cantilever within the Groove at the Outer Grooves approx’ 5mm inside of the Lead In Dead Wax and again at the Inner Groove approx’ 5mm inside of the Lead Out Dead Wax.

As long as the Cantilever is seemingly to my eye not askew, I settle for that as the side force that is to work with said Cartridge. This is the one that seemingly transfers across a selection of Albums. As said in the past in my descriptions the Hole Centre Groove Misalignment when present has a Industry Standard that does not increase to more than 0.2mm.

As I have a interest in Cart’s Optimisation, I have quite a few years of observing Cart’s conditions, as a result of viewing images supplied by Third Party Services and others with a similar interest to my own for taking Macro Images and showing their own Cart’s. On numerous occasions I have witnessed Cart’s from a broad range of purchase values, that are with Cantilevers noticeably askew and off the Centre Line to the Cart’s Body.

I have the notion, this is a cause due to the Cart’s fragility in conjunction with incorrect AS being used at the time of Set Up, or AS Creep has occurred and has not been recognised to have occurred through a extended period of the Cart’s usage.

It does seem to me the cause of the askew, is usually outside of what a loss of set up for overall optimisation, or what any wear and tear issues developing within the Cart’s critical mechanical interfaces is able to create. I would also strongly suggest such off centred cantilevers are resulting in a excess of force being applied/developing, that is capable of causing uneven wear to a Groove Wall and a Styli. How much damage is occurring to the LP’s Groove Wall that is irreparable, is something I have not got the knowledge to comment on.

Is there any known situations where a user has reported back that a Cart’ with a In Line Cantilever, after a period of usage on a Underhung Geometry has been witnessed to have a Cantilever that is quite noticeably askew to the Cart’s Centre Line??

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