Clearly execution matters, but if we know what it takes to make a great tone arm, then this question is answerable. Carbon fiber simply has more strength and stiffness as aluminum at the same weight. If that’s what it takes, then yes. But I expect it’s not that cut and dried. There’s got to be cartridge-arm interplay, so I’ll bet it just depends on getting a match. Like the bicycle frame example. The most comfortable is steel. It flexes. Riding cross-country 100 miles a day day after day? I’ll take steel. Racing around an oval for 60 seconds? Probably carbon. Want an 11-inch tone arm that accommodates a “heavy” cartridge? Ask an engineer, but it’s great to have the options we do. The first time an aerospace engineer handed me an early carbon fiber rod and its titanium (or whatever metal it was ) counterpart, I was flabbergasted. And it was a rotor control rod on a helicopter! It goes, the helicopter goes (down). Yet the carbon rod weighed, I don’t know, ounces vs. pounds. It was that dramatic. Amazing stuff.
General question on Carbon fiber tonearms versus aluminum
Is it my imagination or is it real? In a very general sense, do Carbon fiber tonearms sound a bit better than the aluminum tubes? I am not sure but if I was a betting man, I would put money on the carbon fiber tubes. Any comments here?
I'd especially like to hear from folks who have had both on their turntables or who have owned both just not at the same time.
Thanks!
I'd especially like to hear from folks who have had both on their turntables or who have owned both just not at the same time.
Thanks!