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why is a 13" tonearm design really superior?

we just mounted the SAEC WE-8000 on my Nakamichi and I can´t really believe what kind of fantastic sound this tonearm is able to reproduce. Is it because this is a very special 13" design or because of the extraordinary headshell design? I think it is the only tonearm with such a long straight alu-pipe. Am i right? Also the lift design is unique, this lift stops at every level you like to use.
Why are todays tonearm developers not anymore going for a 13" or 14" design?
thuchan
thuchan OP
1,009 posts
 
Hi Myles_B_Astor. The designer may listen to a WE 8000 and he will change his opinion quickly. Promise.

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan
pryso
1,971 posts
 
Dfelkai, you suggested "Baerwald was helped by 12 guys from nasa".

I assume this was tongue-in-cheek since Baerwald was awarded his patent in 1939 and NASA was not created until 1958.

But then maybe you were simply following Thuchan's motto, best & fun only!
moonglum
619 posts
 
I believe Clearaudio does a 14" variant on one of their designs. Remember being quite surprised at the time.
myles_b_astor's avatar
myles_b_astor
134 posts
 
Hi Thucan,

Hopefully someday will get around to hearing one :)

BTW, Bob Graham pointed out a while back that while a longer arm has many virtues, cartridge alignment is more critical in a 12 inch arm than a shorter arm. In simple terms, errors in aligment are amplified with a longer arm. That was why in part until recently, Bob didn't make a longer arm. OTOH, Bob has cornered the market on cartridge setup. It's too bad that he doesn't market his jig for other arms (once you've used it, there's no going back), but he doesn't want to give other arms an advantage.
thuchan OP
1,009 posts
 
Hi Moonglum,
yes Clearaudio offers a Unify in a 14" format. I never have listened to it.It is not that expensive...need to check.

Hi Myles_b-astor,
I think the market did not ask for longer arms, this is changing. So Bob responded to the market`s requirements and now is offering a good 12" Phantom. regarding antiskating you have some advantages on this longer designs too.

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan
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