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Rabco SL-8E Vs Top Quality Pivoted Tonearms

I am very curious to find out your opinion on the following question……is a Rabco SL-8E linear tracking tonearm (in top operating conditions) as good as a top quality pivoted tonearm such as Graham 2.2, VPI JWM 9, Triplanar, etc., etc. while concidering the following parameters.
The Rabco is not the top quality linear tracking arm ever made but it has the inherent advantage of being linear tracking (as similar as possible to the cutting tool) where the Graham, VPI, Triplanar, etc. are top quality arms in built quality and design but have the shortcomings of a pivoted approach.

So, given the lower quality but better methodology for tracking of the Rabco against the higher quality but less accurate approach for tracking of the pivoted arms which one do you believe will render, all else being equal, the better sound reproduction the Rabco or the Graham, VPI, etc?
ruben1
mechans
3,048 posts
 
I think you have already made up your mind. Besides there aren't a lot fans about the JMW 9 (the 9 inch one in particular.) I spent a lot of money chasing down a linear trackin table because a friend had a modded Technics that sounded very good. In the end these real cheapo arms just didn't sound that great. A good linear tracking arm has been implemented in some of the worlds top turntables. If were you I would get the Rabco and try it out. The resale shouldn't be terribly hard. Sate your curiosity and then move on or stay with it if you love the Rabco sound and reliability.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
If the Rabco was better then most of us would have one. Besides there would be probable MK II, MK III, etc. versions as is the case with Graham and Triplanar MK VII.
dover
2,243 posts
 
The Rabco is servo controlled, operating on error correction logic, which means the cartridge crabs and wriggles sideways across the record. The cartridge tracking is like digital - a little bit out ALL of the time.
Personally I wouldn't subject my cartridge or records to this barbaric form of tracking.
If you want to go linear tracking, then find a used Eminent Technology ET2 or Transfi Terminator - they use air bearings.
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