12 inch Graham Phantom

Is there a pill that can increase tonearm rigidity? I need it to last for as long as the music is playing.

It isn't the length that counts, it is how you set it up and use it.

Dertonarm,

Longer isn't always better. Some have complained that it hurts. Some like it shorter, some like it thicker, some thinner, and some like it just the way it is. For each there is an optimum length, thickness. Basically we are looking for that perfect synergy. Without it you need to move on.

I forget what I am talking about, women or cartridges?

I remember reading somewhere that mistakes in setting up a 12 inch arm as compared to a 9 inch arm will be more "severe". I forget where I read it but it seems to make sense. A 12 inch arm is less tolerant of poor setup than a 9 inch. Also I find the the Lofgren A vs B vs. Stevenson alignments cater to different arms differently.

Each arm is optimized for a different standard. I would propose that it isn't a matter of 12 vs 10.5 vs 9 but more a matter of the individual arm and the setup geometry chosen. Lofgren A vs B vs Stevenson. The arcs they draw are extremely different. Also we need to take into account the different assumed inner Radii on the LP for calculating each arc. All of these add up to what we hear.

And if longer arms are better then why no 14 inches. We certainly have the materials to make the rigidity vs. length argument minimal and maintain a reduced effective mass.

Measure the effective length of the tonearm with a ruler from the center of the screw slots to the pivot. Then plug that into Vinyl Engine's alignment calculator. This will give you the mounting distance. Maintain the iec standard and use Baerwald (what Graham tonearms use for the 9 inch). It will give you a pivot to spindle distance. Hopefully you can set the offset correctly.

For example if you elongate the effective length to 312 your pivot to spindle distance would change to 299 (which I assume you can adjust). The offset angle is still in the 17 range which you should be able to handle by turning the cartridge. You can even print an arc protractor from vinyl engine.