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Why are modern arms so ugly?

OK.......you're going to say it's subjective and you really looove the look of modern tonearms?
But the great tonearms of the Golden Age are genuinely beautiful in the way that most Ferraris are generally agreed to be beautiful.
Look at the Fidelity Research FR-64s and FR-66s? Look at the SAEC 308 series and the SAEC 407/23? Look at the Micro Seiki MA-505? Even the still audacious Dynavector DV-505/507?
But as an architect who's lifetime has revolved around aesthetics.......I am genuinely offended by the design of most modern arms. And don't give me the old chestnut....'Form follows Function' as a rational for ugliness. These current 'monsters' will never become 'Classics' no matter how many 'rave reviews' they might temporarily assemble.
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rauliruegas
13,012 posts
 
Dear Halcro: Tonearm design is not a rocket science and till today as you and Dover knew almost all is already " writed " about. Still there is land for improvements and that's the good subject in thw whole tonearm subject: that we could see new " things " on tonearm design in the future these could means that our cartridges will perform better that with the today tonearms ( any )?: who knows but I hope the new tonearms to come could do it and elevate the quality performance level on what the/our cartridges are showing us today.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.
geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
Dear Thuchan,
excuse me, but do you mean that the armboard is floating?
BTW I thought that the most expensive tonearm was the Pluto 9A Prestige gold.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
10-11-11: Halcro
OK Johnnyb,
As the Moderator here.....'modern' arms which do not advance the art and science of the design....are not of interest.
And why are you so sure that the DPS arm does not "advance the art and science of the design"?
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dear Geoch,

yes, the armboard is floating but in a very stable way. Four magnets on the rear side of the armboard (two each) are facing four magnets mounted on two special side rests. You may adjust the distance between the magnets for getting a harder or softer "footprint" of the arm.

It is working like in the DaVinci Gabriel II which runs with two big magnetical platters, only moving here.

best @ fun only
thuchan
1,009 posts
 
Dear Halcro,
in general you are right. But the cobra tonearm is designed for usage with a floating armboard. It is part of the system. But you may use it without, of course.

best @ fun only
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