@qwin What cartridge are you using? What have you used in the past?
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'!
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'!
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You must have very low standards. The Trans-fi is not a patch on the Eminent Technology air bearing arm which was designed many years prior. The fundamental difference being that the ET uses a captured air bearing - far more rigid than the floating bearing design of the Trans fi. The flawed floating bearing design used for the Trans-fi is why you have spent years fiddling with materials, weight, screws, wire dressing trying to get that arm to work let alone sound any good. I knew Owen for years, I've heard the arm, it's garbage. |
In a 12-10-2020 post on the Terminator, you wrote: "With a caveat that I have never seen this arm in the flesh...... " What changed? You were the one who informed me of Owen's passing, so I assumed you knew him. .And with your 'garbage' prompt, I am finally motivated to seek out an ET arm. I am a happy owner of Bruce's LFT-8C, BTW. |
Nothings changed. I've always considered the Trans-fi flawed, but I have made suggestions in this thread to help people who have one nonetheless. The ET will be a learning experience, but I have no doubt you will understand its advantages once you have it running. I purchased an additional one this year - the later ET2.5 - for my end game arm for my main TT. I have a few pivoted arms, most of which I will sell off. I'm keeping my old ET2 as I have many custom parts that I have made over the years. I would suggest you download the manual off the Eminent Technology site and have a read, even before you buy, it will give you a good understanding of how it works and how clever the design is. It will run with both high and low compliance cartridges. Set up is very configurable. https://www.eminent-tech.com/Manuals/et2manual.pdf
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Well I own a Terminator and don't think its garbage, love it and nothing anywhere near its price point comes close. Best £800 I ever spent on HiFi. |
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