2. analog
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Are linear tracking arms better than pivoted arms?

My answer to this question is yes. Linear tracking arms trace the record exactly the way it was cut. Pivoted arms generally have two null points across the record and they are the only two points the geometry is correct. All other points on the record have a degree of error with pivoted arms. Linear tracking arms don't need anti-skating like pivoted arms do which is another plus for them.

Linear tracking arms take more skill to set up initially, but I feel they reward the owner with superior sound quality. I have owned and used a variety of pivoted arms over the years, but I feel that my ET-2 is superior sounding to all of them. You can set up a pivoted arm incorrectly and it will still play music. Linear tracking arms pretty much force you to have everything correct or else they will not play. Are they worth the fuss? I think so.
mepearson
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
Hi Dertonarm,

Thank you for mentioning Mr. Carr's contributions to AudiogoN...I'll review them. I'm fascinated by the discussion of free body diagrams and force vectors that are germane to this topic :-)

Somewhat off topic, but I'm rather curious...have you listened to analogue reel-to-reel masters (or close to them)? The sound is/has the potential to be exquisite and the experience - revelatory!

Vbr,
Sam
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
03-14-10: C1ferrari
Somewhat off topic, but I'm rather curious...have you listened to analogue reel-to-reel masters (or close to them)? The sound is/has the potential to be exquisite and the experience - revelatory!
There are a few threads here in Audiogon's Analog forum dedicated to Reel To Reel playback"
1. Why Not Bring Back Analog, Reel to Reel Tape
2. Tape Project Tapes

And, Albert Porter who has participated in this thread has a discussion of his Ampex 351 Project

Do a search of the Analog forum for "reel to reel", there are a lot threads.
c1ferrari
464 posts
 
D-Mo,

Thanks, I've actually posted to 2/3 threads! I think Albert has his Studer A810 back in rotation and hope he gets it revved-up for my next visit!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming...just playin' :-)

Vbr,
Sam
213cobra
885 posts
 
>>Tzed: Welcome to the monkey house. Perhaps we can team up and ask Phil for tips on setting up our Southers.<<

Happy to take questions. -Phil
hiho
451 posts
 

Dertonarm wrote, "The day a linear tracker shows up which does address the obvious issues of the mechanical model, I am in the first group to buy it. And I will do so before any "sound report" or sonic description by anybody."

Bravo! I will join you if I can afford this potential design, surely will be expensive! Thanks for sticking to mechanic discussion. No, you did not spoil the party. In fact, you have lively up the party. The great filmmaker John Cassavetes once wrote to a writer friend, “Energy bursts out of your writing. I've been thinking about you. The unknown adventurer. Blasting forth through concrete. Blast them. Then love them. Then blast them again...” You see, the blasting and loving is the same thing. Your passion for audio and science is applauded.

The Thales arm and the new sibling Simplicity arm look to have this potential but I do have concern about its extra bearings for the guiding motions to achieve geometric accuracy and hopefully not in the classic case of when the cure is worse than the disease. Regardless, I applaud innovative thinking.

Personally I have given up on the perfect tonearm. I like both genres, as long as people don't tell me their only reason for not liking pivot arm is because a linear tracker tracks more like the cutter head. Maybe I should just go digital. :-)

Just kidding!

This has been an exhilarating thread!

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