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
Recently had a look at the Moerch website: http://www.moerch.dk/

The new DP8 anisotropic arm is intentionally designed with a high horizontal mass - this is considered a desirable trait...

Here we have had a whole discussion focused on the issues with a high horizontal mass, and we have at least two seperate pivoted designs which intentionally have high to very high horizontal mass and are very highly regarded.
(Dynavector 50x family and the Moerch DP8)

This appears to indicate that the focus is on the wrong variable....

bye for now

David
The conclusion to this thread is at the link below. Thank you, Raul, for sending me the link:

The pivoted arm experiment is over

Mepearson chose the ET-2.
LOL

Thank you Ketchup for the link!

Reading that thread also shows that the discussion continues - and that the topic of compliance needs to be gone over more thoroughly.