Experience w/ Trans-Fi Auio Terminator Tone Arm?


How many of you have the Trans-Fi Auio Terminator Air Bearing linear Tone Arm? Or the older Trans-Fi Evolution Tonearm. What is your experience with this arm, how satisfied are you with this arm, and how does it compare with other tonearms you have tried?

I am seriously thinking of getting the Terminator for my VPI Super Scoutmaster with Rim Drive, but have no experience with linear tone arms. I have found just one person on Audiogon who has this arm and loves it. This fact is somewhat confusing to me, since if the arm is so great, as some people say it is, you would think more people on Audiogon would have it or at least tried it out.
Thanks,
jbcello

Showing 7 responses by franz456

What about the Hose Adaptor Kit (barbs + drill tap 10GBP)? Are they needed? I have no idea what these are? I do have a drill.
OK, I don't need to waste any more of your time. I just noticed the "manual" available at the Trans-Fi site. It explains all this stuff. I won't need to buy the adaptor kit from Vic.
Some bad news: "The Terminator is NO LONGER sold with a 30 day money back trial period. There are over 200 Terminators in circulation, all with favourable reviews. If you have any doubts as to whether Terminator is for you, email me before you order."
From: http://www.trans-fi.com/t3proorderformpricing.htm
However the ad at Ebay still states: "If you don’t find The Terminator fits in with your set-up, simply return it within 30 days for a full money back guarantee (less postage costs). I can’t say fairer than that!"
I am very interested in this arm but would want to be able to return it!
Also the pump and tank are included only in the UK, it seems: "The T3 Pro is available in the UK for 770 GBP + postage at cost. This includes the Standard Tomahawk with copper Litz wiring/Molex connector, pump, smoothing tank, 5m of hose & relevant fittings.
(740 GBP without pump + tank for overseas buyers)
I'm going to buy one. Thanks to all for the info. The turntable technician for the distributor from whom I just bought a Clearaudio Innovation Compact is willing to help me set it up. Between him and Vic there should be no problem in setting it up.
I will definitely get the silver RCA wire. What about the digital VTA display? Needed? Recommended? The technician won't need it, but I might in the future.
Acman3, you say you use a pump with ¼” tubing? The ad for the Rena 400 pump at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/RENA-AIR-400-PUMP/dp/B00025YRK2 ) suggests that it should be used with “Standard 3/16" Flexible Airline Tubing for Aquariums). What kind of pump do you use, Acman3?

I plan to buy the Rena 400 pump. Does anyone here know what size tubing is best used with it? 3/16” or ¼”?

And what size tubing is best used to fit the air intake valve on the new T3Pro? Will the same size tubing fit the Rena 400 pump and the T3Pro intake valve?

The pictures of the air intake valve at the Trans-Fi website differ from each other.
http://www.trans-fi.com/manual.htm
Some (e.g. that entitled: Optional Gantry) show a semi-transparent plastic tube with a white plastic barbed tip. Some (e.g. the first one under Setting VTA & Carrier Tilt T1 & T2 and the second one under Nomenclature) show a metal barbed tip protruding from the side of the tonearm. Which is latest arrangement/design?
I ordered a T3Pro without the pump etc. But seconds after submitting the order I got an email from Vic (to whom I had written about all this stuff) telling me:
"After Xmas, Fedex lowered their transatlantic costs (£35) so it makes it worthwhile to go for the all in price including tank/tubing & pump. Your only outlay is a cheap $10 or less voltage converter for the pump."
So I wrote back to him telling him to include the pump and tank too.
Luckily I had not yet ordered the Rena pump.