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Gimbal vs unipivot tonearms

Curious as to the difference between these types of arms. In my experience, it seems as if unipivots are much more difficult to handle.

Is it like typical debates - depends on the actual product design/build or is one better sounding or less expensive or harder to set up....?
sokogear

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 
a quick find

https://www.tnt-audio.com/sorgenti/armdesign_e.html

it's gravity and the methods of resisting/using it.

Unipivot: My SME, 3009, very old design, still highly respected: the design is obvious, the adjustments results perfectly visible, and they hold their positions. anti-skate pure gravity. Long ago the rubber isolation sleeve needed replacement, they send me parts and instructions, fixed!

Gimbal: current blackbird 12.5" arm. Less fuss, Sounds great, but, you have to trust the parts and machining of the OEM, you cannot 'see' it's perfect.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,202 posts
 
Sorry to everyone for my error about the SME arm.

It's in a box downstairs, I thought I had sold it, now I remember that knife edge, thanks for correcting me. 

What I wanted to say, is

there is a difference between seeing the parts, knowing gravity has been equalized (as you do with the SME)

and trusting that it has been i.e. quality of my Gimbal's machining/parts, and the resulting 'equalization' of forces/freedom of movement.

and trusting unseen parts, like my Acos Lustre GST 801's internal magnets.

The methods of retaining settings, again like the SME, can give great confidence, or, like my Acos, requires 'belief' after setup.

I rarely checked my SME after setup; I often check my Acos's unseen magnets. 


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