Trans-fi Terminator T3PRO opinions please...

I bought this tonearm nearly three years ago, mounted on Nottingham Analogue's second best table from a dozen years before: 20Kg platter, upgraded bearing, upgraded plinth. Terminator's improvement over the $1500 NA tonearm was significant.

The combination now sports a high end Koetsu, and friends with Schroeder arms find the combination pleasing. Speakers are modified new Quad ESL's and electronics are to match.

I agree that set-up is CRITICAL. It's not too hard, but you need to take your time and get it right. I have sited the pump in another room.

My first pump was an aquarium pump, Rena Air 400, but I am in the process of upgrading to a Hiblow with a precision pressure regulator. I have found that the exact air pressure affects the sound substantially, with more pressure changing the sound from soft and mellow to harder and more precise. Basically, air pressure can act as a tone control. The Rena gives a neutral sound.

One great thing about the T3 is that the air is problem-free and noiseless, because it is low pressure. Another great thing is the fact that it is easy to put brass weights onto the arm wand to change its mass. That too affects the sound dramatically, and so I can use a high compliance MM when I wish (no weights), and low compliance MC (with up to 14g) when I wish. Weights too can act as a tone control.

I suggest silver wire and ETI plugs, and an extra arm wand. Go for the latest, with weighted pivots. I also prefer an aluminum tower to the Delrin tower that Vic supplies, but your mileage etc.

I think that the T3 is a superb bargain. Not least, Vic seemed to be on a mission to improve my system, and HE LISTENED to what I wanted. Rave review from this quarter.

Go4vinyl, I've moved through several iterations of Terminator to what is essentially a modified T3Pro. My version includes a custom pivot with a built-in socket that accomodates standard removable headshells. Vic has on occasion offered this set-up.

The optional uninterrupted screened silver RCA wiring sounds great and eliminates multiple solder points and metal contacts. The outer screen is also effective in eliminating cartridge hum.

The Rena pump is fine when smoothed through a 1 gal. tank as described on Vic's web site. I built an insulated plywood enclosure to reduce pump noise, but ideally the pump belongs in a closet or adjacent room.

As noted by others, working with this arm becomes straight-forward after the somewhat painstaking journey toward precise zenith and level. I've been able to deal with any remaining tracking problem by weighting the headshell to manipulate vertical effective mass.

Terminator easily surpassed Graham 1.5TC and SME IV in my system. Others I know had similar results vs. VPI 12.X arms. However most owners of hi-zoot pivot arms won't give it a chance for whatever reason.

PS. I wouldn't bother with the digital caliper. The VTA tower calibrations are sufficient to obtain precise repeatable adjustments. And with this arm your ear will tell you EVERYTHING.

Can't say enough good things about this tonearm. It is a little tricky adjusting it as mentioned but we'll worth it!

To add to my hurried response yesterday. Placing a record on the platter requires a bit of fineness as the arm structure remains over the platter. Not difficult, but you do need to exercise some caution. An air pump in another room is needed as I've never been able to sonically isolate one in the room. only a very small hole is needed to pass the airline tubing so that is easily accomplished. I have my pump plugged into a remotely powered power strip that also turns on two more strips that my gear is plugged int. One switch controls three strips, one of which is in another room. I sprung for the digital VTA readout but rarely use it. This is not a truly set it and forget it arm but the tweaks are simple and not a pain. Initial set-up is a little challenging but so are most arms. The sounds coming off the record speak for themselves. They just explode off in a way most pivoted arms seem to lack until you spend many times more. What have you got to lose? The used market will get you most of your money back I'm sure.