Arm Differences ...... ,etc.

Well, Oz, I did. But I also have one now.

I've had the Mat1 for only one week and have not logged enough time yet to make definitive appraisal.

I thought you got rid of the Illustrious?

On an unrelated note, what are your further thoughts on the Mat 1?

Oz

Marty, I am not running a linear arm. My post meant to allude to the fact that while I appreciate the benefit of a GOOD linear tracker, I can't afford to pony up for one. :-( I am running a 'Not Spacedeck with an OL Illustrious. Very nice performance, but I'd like to slide Albert's Walker in for a spin.....

Marty and Tom are correct, of course. My apologies to Richard for considering only my setup with respect to the linear arms.

I agree linear trackers on a suspended table is a very difficult application. There are all kinds of pitfalls involved with that kind of setup. Most people tend to shy away from that combination.

I don't think that the advantages of a linear tracking arm are much of a secret, dirty or clean. Given a much larger discretionary budget.....

Audiophiles love arms because there are so many complex angles and dangles to adjust!

The dirty little secret is that a Linear Tracking arm eliminates all these sources of error, many of which cannot be eliminated over the full range of arm motion across the record. Linear tracking arms can have problems of their own, but not as many as a pivoted arm. A decent linear tracking arm beats any pivoted unit.

Excuse me now...I must go to the bomb shelter.

If it were me, I'd buy an Origin Live Illustrious and a Shelter 901 cartridge, but you probably already knew that.

Viridian - Thanks for the help. But, "Listen and Compare", is not possible where I live so most of my audio choices are accomplished through homework and faith.

BTW, if you had 5k retail to spend on an arm and cartridge, what would you get?

I've just purchased an Avid Volvare table.

Also, I have a Rogue amp and 100db speakers. Does having very efficient speakers effect analog choices?

As usual Viridian sums it up nicely. There are excellent examples of both types of arms. Get one that suits your needs and your cartridge best.