I'm surprised few have jumped on the boat, either that or they just want to keep a low profile.
My first experience with a linear tracker was with the famed Rockport, don't ask me which version, but it was revelatory. The cart used was a Benz Glider (1st version). It threw a panoramic rock solid soundstage and extracted the last bit of detail from the grooves. Even the Glider's somewhat "dry" character was evident from my brief encounter. Since then I've always wanted to try a linear tracker, but costs and setup considerations put me off them.
That is until the Conductor came along. This cheapest of the air-bearing linear trackers, doesn't use high pressure, but high volume to float the arm tube assembly. Build looks somewhat DIY, but the finish on the beam on which the arm travels is very, very smooth. Only a slight gush of air is audible near the arm.
Most importantly, in terms of sound quality, it is able to extract the most from cart used, regardless of whether it is the first or last track. The soundstage is wide, deep, and images are stable and coherent. It allows greater expression of the instrument/vocal. Common flaws raised about linear tracking arms about their bass reproduction were not evident - I get depth and definition. The great thing about it is that all this is reproduced not as "hifi" detail, but as a musical whole, not emphasizing any one area.
Pay attention to the tonearm wire as it only comes with RCAs at the arm base. This has a big impact on the sound.
My first experience with a linear tracker was with the famed Rockport, don't ask me which version, but it was revelatory. The cart used was a Benz Glider (1st version). It threw a panoramic rock solid soundstage and extracted the last bit of detail from the grooves. Even the Glider's somewhat "dry" character was evident from my brief encounter. Since then I've always wanted to try a linear tracker, but costs and setup considerations put me off them.
That is until the Conductor came along. This cheapest of the air-bearing linear trackers, doesn't use high pressure, but high volume to float the arm tube assembly. Build looks somewhat DIY, but the finish on the beam on which the arm travels is very, very smooth. Only a slight gush of air is audible near the arm.
Most importantly, in terms of sound quality, it is able to extract the most from cart used, regardless of whether it is the first or last track. The soundstage is wide, deep, and images are stable and coherent. It allows greater expression of the instrument/vocal. Common flaws raised about linear tracking arms about their bass reproduction were not evident - I get depth and definition. The great thing about it is that all this is reproduced not as "hifi" detail, but as a musical whole, not emphasizing any one area.
Pay attention to the tonearm wire as it only comes with RCAs at the arm base. This has a big impact on the sound.