Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm

@intactaudio I did try the Sperling underhung, but I could only get it underhung by around 8mm. That way it did distort on the last track of some records. I'll try it on another turntable where I can get it to 15-20mm.

Happy owner here!

I have the carbon fiber version in 9" length. To me it sounds a lot like the SME 3012R I have on the same table--very laid back, even-tempered. Unlike say the FR 64S, which is more in your face.

Never noticed more distortion, like IGD, with the Viv.

Interesting ideas. I have a RS Labs headshell. Need to give it a try on the Viv arm.

Lew and Dave: The Viv armtube can slide back and forth in the direction of its length through the housing by about 1mm. It can rotate around the axis of the tube a few degrees and it can be lifted a couple of mm to the top of the housing, tho here it takes some lifting to oppose the magnetic force of the fluid--not likely to happen during play.

@lewm I've never seen the arm roll as you describe. It takes a bit of twisting on my part to get it to leave its upright position.

On the comparison between CB and HA, from Roy Gregory's review on theaudiobeat with reference to "Carmen Fantaisie" [Decca SXL 2197]:

"If we return once again to the Ricci recording to furnish our examples, the RF7 HA delivers the same, frictionless passage through the recording -- indeed, to an almost greater and certainly more obvious extent. Its dynamics are more explicit and contrasts more vivid, with music sounding faster, more energetic and performances more vital. But that added speed, drama and expressive intent come at the cost of a less poised and leaner presentation. The aluminum ‘arm lacks the rich tonality and smoothly motive substance of the RF7 CB, instead offering angular elbows and attitude. With the RF7 HA at the helm, Ricci’s playing takes on a more aggressive and higher-risk quality, the metaphorical tires on this sports car starting to squeal and occasionally smoke. It’s exciting, it’s exhilarating and occasionally it’s uncomfortable. It’s also exactly the performance that I remember so vividly from my first listening sessions."

I could probably underhang my Sperling arm---like the Shroeder, it just has a bolt at the headshell to set offset angle. How large is your underhang with the Schroeder, Dave? With the RS Labs it was between 5 and 10mm.

@rsf507 Re: Roy Gregory's problems w VTF. I haven't had a problem with this as long as I return the armtube to it's resting postion, a magnet at the outside of the housing that meets a short rod on the underside of the armtube. By returning the armtube to this position during the weighing process, I can be assured that it's in the position that it will hold as it traverses the record.

@rsf507 Right, I meant after adiusting the counterweights, I always return the arm to its rest before taking a measurement. Then I know the armtube is centered in the fluid bath.

@intactaudio 

OK now I'm remembering you speculating above that what some might call the 
"slop" of the magnetic bearing in the Viv might be a benefit. Is there similar play in the Shroeder bearing? I used to have a Model 2 with string bearing but I remember the magnets kept it more rigidly in place than on the Viv.

@intactaudio 

If the mouse is distortions fromTAE, what's the elephant?

I just put my MP-500 on my Viv Labs arm (speaking of the thread topic) and it sounds way better than on the SME 3012R I've had it on before. Usually the two are pretty comparable, but maybe the lightness of the Viv is an advantage with this cart--even tho it's compliance is a low 8.5, according to the VE database.