Aren't carbon fiber arm tubes less prone to resonance problems than metal ones?
Happy New Year to Me, from OL to Triplanar
OK, I have the Triplanar Vll set up. My TT was already setup for the TP but I didn't like the way it looked on the TT while at rest. So instead of using TP's Pivot to spindle jig, I decided to set it up using the actual measurements from Pivot to spindle. It looked just right to me. The arm ran parallel to the bottom plinth. I was happy with my progress. then I tried to set the null points only to find the arm would not go all the way to the end of the record. It was blocked by the VTA tower. OK, smart guy. Back to the jig. So that was a learning experience. But this is the 1st arm I have set up which had a VTA tower. But other than my own blunder, this was the easiest arm/cartridge setup I had ever done with a tonearm.
But how does it compare with the Origin Live Illustrious 3? Well, it should sound better, considering its twice the price. And it does sound better in every parameter.here are the notes I wrote early on
- Faster transients
- More authority/weight
- Better PRAT
- Cleaner bass line
- Louder
- Harsh Midrange tamed / Smoother
The better PRAT was the biggest surprise. I thought the OL might beat it out on that Though .I don't miss the OL, I have great respect for it in that it would hold up as well as it did when compared to such a well respected arm.
For those looking to point out the deficiencies of the TP arm and how another arm sounds better, I would just say this. There is always something better. I don't worry about what others have or if theirs is better than mine. My only concern is, "How does it sound to me?" So far it sounds great. Now if I do decide to step up from the TP, recommendations will be gladly accepted. That said, if you know of any tweaks which will help the TP, I welcome them too.
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OK, sorry slow to get back w you. IMO The CF armtube does not need damping w lLyra, This is based on two listening sessions w Lyra Atlas. it does benefit my Delos on Aluminum. Paddle is about 25% in fluid. IF you have aluminum arm tube i advise a three step process. Listen with empty trough get sonic baseline, Remove the empty trough / paddle get sonic baseline. Reattach trough / paddle fill to various depths get sonic baseline. Revert to configuration that sounds best. As Ralph mentioned most users seem to use no damping and some go so far as to remove the trough. Jonathan Carr of Lyra suggested i use a ceramic spacer w lightweight Delos, i don’t think you need it w your cart but it does help bass in my system. Finally another J Carr mod is carefully heat shrink the fingerlift. I have the upgraded silver wiring. Lock down VTA tower. My TT comes w a very unique design clamp and platter so i won’t get into that. Your sandbox sink and mass loading good, as you know, mass alone not enuf. This all sounds fussy but i got thru it in a long afternoon. If you get to SoCal, stop by for a listen. Enjoy your gift !!! best to you Jim |
From what little research I did before the purchase, I believe most people seem to Not use the damping fluid. I got it setup just before Christmas so I haven't done much adjustments other than setup the arm & cart. I understand when you say, "Have fun but don't drive yourself crazy" I'm reminded of a graphic equalizer I installed in my system back in the 80's. I found myself up to fine tune it far too often. I came to realize that I was working more than playing within the month and sold it. I may play with the VTA a little just to have the experience..But I don't expect to go OCD over it. The previous owner had the upgrades done. last Dec. I have a list of the upgrades and receipt but I cannot remember what all the upgrades were. FWIW, the mass is 7.9g for the Zyx The TT is mass loaded with lead and weighs about 100-110 lbs. Platter is 35lbs. The stand I built for the TT has a sandbox with a maple top plate which the TT sits on. |
Good for you ! Excellent arm with a well deserved global reputation. Tri is excellent to work with. Unlike some, I don’t make tweak modification recommendations for arms i haven't heard - did you change the armtube to Carbon Fiber when back at the factory ? i have the mk VII w aluminum internally damped armtube with a Delos on a Brinkmann. Ralph has a ton of expertise, you can count on him. My inputs can wait, as i have heard both armtubes. The ZYX mass would also be helpful. One more question, lovely TT does it have any isolation ? Congrats a used Triplaner in decent shape is a thing of sonic beauty. Jim |
@millercarbon The arm tube of the Triplanar has internal damping. While you might be able to reduce resonance further, that can also mess with effective mass. @artemus_5 There is a thread on this forum for tweaks of the Triplanar arm. IMO the only thing that might or might not be an issue is the use of the damping trough. There is a separate thread that seems to address that issue. I don't use the trough myself and recordings I've made and transcribed to LP seem to sound fine so IME it doesn't seem to be needed. But there is an argument for its use, and how much damping fluid would be used (my recommendation is moderation). Have fun but don't drive yourself crazy- the beauty of that arm is its adjust-ability, not to downplay its particularly hard and tiny bearings, damped arm tube, properly placed bearings with respect to the LP surface... |
Thanks @millercarbon I had those written down somewhere but who knows where it is now. I appreciate you bringing this to my attention again. FWIW I got this arm used and it was just brought up to present specs last year. So yes, the MSRP on new was twice that of the OL used. But I got a good deal on it. I was waiting for an OL to come up on the used market. But there are not a whole lot of high end used arms for sale. I used to see them all the time but not anymore. |
OL Illustrious is very good, but there is always something better, especially at double the money! Really effective tweaks: Synergistic PHT, I recommend Green and Black. TA-102 fO.q tape, highly effective so use small amounts. Tone arm tube, base, anywhere you can imagine vibration. Which on a tone arm is everywhere. I like to place underneath and out of sight to maintain a stock appearance. OL Cartridge Enabler, highly effective! OL Gravity One record weight. By far the easiest to use it is also the best I have tried. |