Unipivot vs Linear Tracking

THK has a patented linear motion slide that is the perfect size for a linear tracker, has low sticktion and guaranteed no bearing slop. All one would have to do is put gimbled bearing and an arm tube, and...

I've stayed in the amp side of the business for a reason :)

08-01-08: Atmasphere
THK has a patented linear motion slide that is the perfect size for a linear tracker, has low sticktion and guaranteed no bearing slop. All one would have to do is put gimbled bearing and an arm tube, and...

Last year, I spent a lot of time researching the new air bearing materials like the micro-porous blocks used in precision automated linear slides. Never could get around the noise effect of high-pressure air in a quiet listening room. Low pressure system have their own drawbacks.

These precision roller slides by THK look really nice. I wonder what their lateral friction or resistance is like? Seems to me that their servo actuator systems would have to be highly precise and smooth in order to be used in precision optics grinding and semiconductor fabrication.

Oh, and back to SPL's original question:

1. Do you consider linear Tracking superior to Unipivot?
2. Which would you say is harder to set up properly?

As a novice vinyl fan, I found my Cartridge Man Conductor linear air bearing tonearm to be easier to setup and fine tune than my Scheu Tacco sapphire unipivot.

I think it's impossible to separate the turntable from the arm, particularly when some of the best turntables (Kuzma Stabi, Rockport, Walker, Versa Dynamics) all come with linear arm fitted during assembly and there is typically no way to fit a pivot arm on one of these to make a comparison.

A clarification. That may be true of Rockport, Walker, and Versa Dynamics but is not true of the Kuzma Stabi XL and Stabi Reference turntables, which may be fitted with the Airline, 4Point, Stogi Reference, etc. as well as third party arms, and the XL can accommodate as many arms as desired and practical.

Dealer disclaimer.

I've had a THK slide sitting around for a while. Its low sticktion and lack of slop makes it an ideal candidate for a proper TL arm. Its also an ideal size.

Just in case anyone is looking to explore the viability(and affordability)of a nice LTT arm,I found a very reasonably priced design by searching around the web....

There is a link on Arthur Salvatore's site,but it can be found at..TransFiAudio@aol.com

The arm is called "The Terminator",and there is a nice review(one I read awhile ago,which caused my own curiousity and interest).

The reviewer kinda goes "bananas"(a good thing)over the arm,and loves it...

The price looks to be quite low,for a "supposedly good" Linear Tracking Arm...it's 470 British Pounds,plus 15 British Pounds for shipping.The user(if located in the U.S.)is supposed to buy the air pump though.A decent pump should be quite inexpensive,if I correctly understand the information given.

Please understand I am ONLY trying to give some information about LTT arms that won't break the bank(for those interested parties)in price,and it is ONLY hobby talk!!

Personally I am not about to abandon my unipivot,but certainly do appreciate the alternative sonic benefits that the LTT's can offer.....I envy those(like T.H.)who can run multiple arms/cartridges....Something I never used to even think about,but do now.....Lucky dogs -:)

Good luck