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Experience w/ Trans-Fi Auio Terminator Tone Arm?

How many of you have the Trans-Fi Auio Terminator Air Bearing linear Tone Arm? Or the older Trans-Fi Evolution Tonearm. What is your experience with this arm, how satisfied are you with this arm, and how does it compare with other tonearms you have tried?

I am seriously thinking of getting the Terminator for my VPI Super Scoutmaster with Rim Drive, but have no experience with linear tone arms. I have found just one person on Audiogon who has this arm and loves it. This fact is somewhat confusing to me, since if the arm is so great, as some people say it is, you would think more people on Audiogon would have it or at least tried it out.
Thanks,
jbcello
franz456
24 posts
 
Some bad news: "The Terminator is NO LONGER sold with a 30 day money back trial period. There are over 200 Terminators in circulation, all with favourable reviews. If you have any doubts as to whether Terminator is for you, email me before you order."
From: http://www.trans-fi.com/t3proorderformpricing.htm
However the ad at Ebay still states: "If you don’t find The Terminator fits in with your set-up, simply return it within 30 days for a full money back guarantee (less postage costs). I can’t say fairer than that!"
I am very interested in this arm but would want to be able to return it!
Also the pump and tank are included only in the UK, it seems: "The T3 Pro is available in the UK for 770 GBP + postage at cost. This includes the Standard Tomahawk with copper Litz wiring/Molex connector, pump, smoothing tank, 5m of hose & relevant fittings.
(740 GBP without pump + tank for overseas buyers)
acman3
4,237 posts
 
Hello Franz456, Don't worry about the pump and tank. It's easily made on the website with gas tank,1/4" tubing, and aquarium pump. I used 2' of 3" PVC precut at Home Depot with PVC caps and a pump. About $150 with pump and about 30 min. time. That's why Vic does not send these easily found parts internationally.

Can't help with the 30 day money back except the arm is very good and doubt you will return it. Sell it here for a small loss if it's not for you.

The main decision is, do you get the silver wire or the copper wire. I went
for the silver with continuous run to preamplifier. I am planning on getting another arm with the copper to see which is better.
dgarretson
2,597 posts
 
Acman3, I wouldn't bother with the copper wire and Molex connector. IME the straight-shot 9N screened silver wire sounds much better and is less susceptible to RFI/EMI.

Franz56, T3/Pro is a killer and no longer requires the return privilege as a marketing tool.
stefanoo
103 posts
 
yeah T3/Pro is a killer...read...a killer!!
you won't regreat it.
Afterall it is not fair to ask Sir Vic after all this time being on the market to to mony back guarantee, I don't see any other company doing that.

For wiring i have silver and works just fine. I ended up removing the molex connector soldering directly to the rca and going straight with my Magnum M1 Phono.
Sound is sublime!
franz456
24 posts
 
I'm going to buy one. Thanks to all for the info. The turntable technician for the distributor from whom I just bought a Clearaudio Innovation Compact is willing to help me set it up. Between him and Vic there should be no problem in setting it up.
I will definitely get the silver RCA wire. What about the digital VTA display? Needed? Recommended? The technician won't need it, but I might in the future.
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