I just got a Pete Riggle Woody tonearm from an Audiogon member. After many tries to get sound as good as the Maplenoll Ariadne air bearing straight line tracking TT/arm combo I had for about 10 years, I’m now combined the Woody with my heavily modified Lenco rebuild and I was very impressed. I once had a Pete Riggle VTAF to use with an Origin Live Silver II arm on the Lenco. It was very good sounding but not the equal of the Maplenoll setup. I’ve been through about 5 TT’s and 5 arms prior to this and none of them could remind me of the ’Noll. The armband I have was cut for the VTAF so installing the Woody was a simple drop in replacement.
On first listen, I just sat there and smiled--FINALLY, a combo that could at least equal the ’Noll, actually surpass it in almost all areas. The sound was so live, yet beautifully full, with deep articulate bass, and hoppin’ dynamics you just don’t get to hear with analog often. The Woody is so versatile, and easy to adjust, once you understand all the functions and how they work. Things can be accurately set by ear on the fly. Like the ’Noll, all kinds of music was just better sounding than before, even the just OK recorded albums. Unlike most of the users of this arm, however, I found after trying it both ways for several hours each, that I prefer the sound of the arm with no damping over vs. using the silicone fluid in the cup. The sound looses some of the jumping dynamics and articulation it has with no damping used.
Lastly, the arm looks beautiful on my 100 lb. Lenco plinth, like it was made to go with it. My Lenco is quite beautiful also, albeit large. I haven’t even had a chance to hear this with my components on my Sistrum racks as the rods were being cut to make 2 shorter racks while this came from the seller. The Sistrum racks make everything sound much better, more LIVE, with incredible details at even low volume levels. The rods are arriving Monday as I write. Will give an update to the sound soon after. The Woody is a definite KEEPER, as is my super Lenco. I should note, I’m using a Soundsmith level 3 rebuilt Benz Micro Ruby 3 w/ myrtlewood body. This is a very nice sounding cartridge, the best I have had in my system.
On first listen, I just sat there and smiled--FINALLY, a combo that could at least equal the ’Noll, actually surpass it in almost all areas. The sound was so live, yet beautifully full, with deep articulate bass, and hoppin’ dynamics you just don’t get to hear with analog often. The Woody is so versatile, and easy to adjust, once you understand all the functions and how they work. Things can be accurately set by ear on the fly. Like the ’Noll, all kinds of music was just better sounding than before, even the just OK recorded albums. Unlike most of the users of this arm, however, I found after trying it both ways for several hours each, that I prefer the sound of the arm with no damping over vs. using the silicone fluid in the cup. The sound looses some of the jumping dynamics and articulation it has with no damping used.
Lastly, the arm looks beautiful on my 100 lb. Lenco plinth, like it was made to go with it. My Lenco is quite beautiful also, albeit large. I haven’t even had a chance to hear this with my components on my Sistrum racks as the rods were being cut to make 2 shorter racks while this came from the seller. The Sistrum racks make everything sound much better, more LIVE, with incredible details at even low volume levels. The rods are arriving Monday as I write. Will give an update to the sound soon after. The Woody is a definite KEEPER, as is my super Lenco. I should note, I’m using a Soundsmith level 3 rebuilt Benz Micro Ruby 3 w/ myrtlewood body. This is a very nice sounding cartridge, the best I have had in my system.