Trans-fi Terminator T3PRO opinions please...

I'm also on the verge of getting a Terminator.

Does Vic only ship them with the latest/greatest headshell (Tomahawk)? Or is there a "standard" headshell and an optional higher quality headshell?

Is it practical to use multiple headshells and easily swap them out? Would that, for all practical purposes, necessitate using the Molex termination? Aside from that one possible need, I would assume that the RCA termination would be preferable (due to being a more direct connection).

Hello Gary.

I use three arm wands for my three main cartridges: MM, MC mono, and MC stereo. It takes only a minute to change arm wands, but ...
1. with cartridges so expensive to replace, I take extreme care with stylus guards, etc.
2. each cartridge requires a different set of weights
3. it's only sane to check everything once it is installed
All in, 15-30 minutes, which is fine for an evening's listening, but not recommended after every record.

I use separate silver lines with ETI plugs for each arm wand because I really don't need an extra junction in the signal path. I expect that you will get the "latest and greatest" - but ask Vic. He is very helpful, and not rapacious in the least (hard to believe in our hobby, but there it is).

I agree with all said above. I have never read a negative report on the TRANS-FI.
You can tweek as much as your OCD urges need. I use 2 of Tomahawks with silver leads to phono amp, to make changes faster. Can be dialed in in 15 minutes. Take a look at Dgarretson's system page to see some of his mods.

Vic is a pleasure to work with. He sent me an adaptor free, 2 years after I installed the arm.

Just to add my 2 cents, have been running the T3Pro, w/recent Tomahawk wand upgrades, on Vic's Salvation direct rim drive tt.
Concur w/all that the main consideration is getting the arm PRECISELY level. Once that is achieved, day to day use of the arm is a doddle. I particularly like the azimuth adjustment on the arm, two spikes to independently zero in the correct setting. A little fiddly to use, but my cart installer really likes it.
My next step is to get the pump in another room, but tricky since I live in a studio apartment! Maybe at next move.
Have gone for the continuous cart-phono wiring to obviate need for an extra set of connectors.
So if, and only if, you can get the arm level, go for it. It (together w/the tt) brings a neutrality to proceedings, where you can analyse to your heart's content, but also allow the unique warmth of analog to wash over you.

THANKS TO ALL for taking the time to share this detailed info - it's truly all info needed. I have had my eye on it since its inception (I think it was close to 600 USD at the time - much improvement has been done since then obviously), but was concerned about the noise level from the pump (I have a tiny listening room and no way to stick it in another room) and the obvious obstruction of placing records on platter.

I now have a 13 inch Robert Fuchs tonearm (so inching closer to linear ;-) which really and truly is an incredible piece of audio gear - however, with this info (that you kindly provided) I am leaning ever more towards finally (overcoming my fears) and trying one out.

Terry9 - please let us know how it goes with the Hiblow pump when you get to it (I imagine the choice of pump affects the sound).

THANKS again and have a GREAT one!