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What's the best unipivot to arm ever made?

I'm really fond of unipivot tonearms in their way of music reproduction. For my point of view they represent the music with full of energy without loosing its authority and signature. Less is more? I do not know! I'm currently using a Mayware Formula 5 tonearm and believe is one of the best to arms ever made regardless price. Much better than my previous Schroeder Reference (even though I must admit Schroeder was mounted in an inferior turntable). What's your opinion about the best unipivot tonearm ever made and why your preference is so special?
pentatonia
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,704 posts
 
The original "Audio and Design" arm with the arcuate mercury baths and designed by John Wright of IMF fame. I bought one directly from him decades ago and used it with great pleasure over a long period. It was superior in materials and construction to the later (cheaper) KMAL version. I still have a few parts of it. ;-)

Kal
cousinbillyl
190 posts
 
I have to second the RS Labs A1 and Durand designs.

The Talea ll did best my RS Labs, but I think a lot had to do with Azimuth adjustment. I had a difficult time with the A1.

I will say that replacing the RCA ends on the Talea's cable with WBT Nextgen helped even further.

The Talea is a 9.5" arm. Without saying too much, I think my system needs the longer Telos arm.

I haven't searched; does the Telos use the same wire as the Talea ll?.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Lewm,
I have a few of the 704s, the all aluminum version. I do not own the wood version, but would like to get one. I used a 704 as one of my reference until recently when I purchased an Audiomods. I am now building an Empire 208 based project that will use on of my 704s.
I do agree that the price of the 704/714 have gone way up in the last two years. Not sure why.
grr6001
104 posts
 
Cousinbilly,

The Telos uses a custom made cable, not the same as the Talea II.

As great as the Talea II is the Telos just takes everything to another level.
cousinbillyl
190 posts
 
Thank you Grr6001. My system is at the point where the limitations of a 9.5" arm are noticable.

Glad to hear the wire has been improved.
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