03-14-10: DertonarmNot at all, I think most of us(even linear-arm owners) see your contribution as refreshing, insightful, and highly educational. Nor do I think anyone disagrees with your mechanical and physical description of the forces at work within the two discussed tonearm designs.
But by now I finally realize that I am only spoiling the party here.
I think some disagreement may stem from your patent rejection of the subjective listening experiences of others while offering up your own as law.
Compare these responses of yours:
03-10-10: DertonarmWith this statement:
Individual - yet subjective empirical... - audiophile impressions versus mechanical laws.....
03-11-10: Dertonarm
You are referring to days long gone by while using a phrase abused today. However - long term subjective observations are always subjective.
Logic - isn't it ?
03-14-10: DertonarmAs of yet, we've had no convincing(non-subjective) proof that properly set up, modern, linear-tracking tonearms actually:
Most linear trackers du built up a big, fat but soft and not really low bass which might sound fascinating with certain set-ups, but not if your woofers go really down and not if the set-up is able to provide air, freshness and color, speed and minute detail in the lower registers.
a) cause premature or excessive cartridge wear/damage,
b) cause increased distortion due to excessive lateral force to the cantilever/motor assembly.
I have no doubt you PERCEIVE a pivot's greater "speed, inner details, maximum dynamics and tight, hard punch...air, freshness and color, speed and minute detail in the lower registers" versus linear tonearms "big, fat but soft and not really low bass" in your(or all) systems, but as you so succinctly said above
long term subjective observations are always subjective.Now, if you have frequency response and waterfall decay charts or the response by the two(or more) different tonearm setups in your room with the same cartridge, that's an entirely different ball of wax, altogether.
Logic - isn't it ?
Regardless, I hope you will continue to participate in this thread, as your responses are the type that help elevate such discussions above the subjective "tit for tat" so often found on forums.
I have sent an email to Jonathan Carr(of Lyra design fame) inviting him to offer his insight into cartridge design criterion and tolerances. Perhaps his insight can help illuminate other aspects of this discussion we've yet to delve into and clear up some others. I would love to hear from some other cart designers, too.