New Schroeder linear tonearm, any thoughts?

The arm falls into a tradition that goes back to the 1950s- pivoted arms that are capable of 0 degree tangential error.

If interested there is an extensive thread with lots of photos and diagrams on DIYaudio.com:

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/analogue-source/165878-angling-90-tangential-pivot-tonearms.html

The thread also discusses some of the issues with this approach.

The Schroeder arm shows up about a year ago on that thread.

I don't see any pictures depicting a tangential tracking arm. I only see pictures of their hanging on a thread/magnetic attraction version of a conventional pivoting arm.

What, if any, mechanism provides for tangential tracking?

The mechanism is hidden in the base. The pics will not make it clear how it works. A video would be better. There are two horizontal pivots in the base that articulate. There is also a guide rail hidden in the base that guides the arm in a straight line across the record. From what I understand there is a magnet that helps with that process. The bearings are also very low friction and because of that there is no excessive horizontal mass unlike most linear tracking arms. They also claim no skating force is generated.

No string involved in this design.

Hi: http://www.vivaudiolab.com/Rigid_Float.html

and we can read on similar designs as vintage as 1934 on these patents numbers:

""" Garrard design looks similar to US Patent 2983517 by Klein in 1961 and 2516565 by Guy(GE) in 1950.
These arms seems to have 0 overhang generally.
see also US Patent 1963673 by Patino in 1934 which is using pulley as predecessor to US Patent 4497053 by Wolff in 1985 etc """"

Interesting.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

I would love to demo it. But I do find it priced a bit high.