Origin Live Arm in NYC Area

@millercarbon I watched the SS videos and read what Peter posted on the website. My takeaway is that azimuth matters and he wishes more tonearm designers included the ability to adjust this in their designs. He also suggests that SS does more to ensure that the generator and the stylus of their designs are aligned with the body so that the end user can eyeball the correct azimuth using a mirror, since SS cartridges have "stratospheric" channel separation which does not allow for the use of electronic measurement of azimuth. (Which doesn't make sense to me). For the record, I went on the SS site and looked at their entire premium range of low, medium and high output cartridges and NONE of them spec at the "stratospheric" levels Peter claims in the video, where he mentions channel separation figures of "high 30s, low 40s and even high 40s"). Not sure what accounts for the discrepancy between his reference to these extremely high specs and what appears on the spec sheet for each cartridge on his website, which are numbers around 30-32db--figures which are routinely hit by many other manufacturers. 

Neither allows for azimuth adjustment. Study the arms, study cartridge design, watch Ledermann explain in detail, you will see. The axis of rotation of these arms, neither one is anywhere close to parallel let alone coincident with the azimuth of a cartridge. Only Soundsmith with the three removable pieces allows for proper azimuth adjustment.

The bearings are one thing, design is another. OL is a hybrid of unipivot type zero tolerance but combined with standard gimbal bearings so you get the best of both. 

But really, when it comes to materials and construction you cannot go by materials and construction. You can only go by the designer. Like me, I know how good my Conqueror is and have absolutely zero doubt the new one is significantly better. Not only that, but better in a way I will like. Because designers just tend to follow and develop along their natural affinities. 

Not that it matters. Raven just knocked themselves out of contention. If you ever lived with arms like this I think you'd agree. You will at the very least need to spend about as much on the cable as the arm, or if not then I can just about guarantee the Raven will be nowhere even close to a Conqueror. And that after fiddling around trying who knows how many trying to get close. Which you won't. Because at the tiny micro voltages a MC puts out no connection is perfect enough to not do real harm to such a subtle signal. They simply must be eliminated. Which OL does. 

Appreciate the reply. The Raven is no longer offered with a continuous run. Apparently Thomas got to many back for repair when folks mishandled the cable and damaged the interface at the base of the arm—one point for the OL. However, not sure I am on the same page about the azimuth adjustment. The Raven has a clamping head shell that can be loosened and rotated on the arm tube slightly to adjust—granted some loss of structural integrity. The OL arms from the Encounter up have a grub screw that allows you to rotate the arm tube to adjust azimuth—same axis of rotation just at the point where the arm meets the bearings rather than at the end of the arm—without seeing this arrangement in person hard to know whether the structural integrity of the arm is better preserved. Finally, I believe both arms feature dual pivot bearings but the OL has hybrid ceramic balls where the Raven has super high tolerance steel bearings. Oh and the OL does a ball and string anti skate while the Raven is magnetic. I also wonder if the OL composite arm tube may have the edge over straight aluminum on the Raven.

Anyone have the chance to use both these arms? Would love to hear your impressions.

My Origin Live Conqueror is 12 years old and I'm within an hours drive of Sea Tac airport so if you are interested.... 
Had a Graham before OL and based on the tremendous performance gap the main feature I look for now is continuous tone arm leads. Which both the Raven and OL have. So unless you can find one to compare, which congrats if you do, then it is a tough call.

One thing I don't like about the Raven is its so-called azimuth adjustment. If you study azimuth, especially Ledermann who is the only one to really get it, then you will see the Raven headshell cannot be adjusting azimuth. Its at the wrong angle. The only true azimuth adjustment on the market is the one Ledermann has designed into his cartridges. On the Raven it is nothing more than adding unnecessary interfaces, something to be avoided at all costs in a tone arm.

When you get to the level this high it is hard to believe anyone is going to come along with something new and instantly be at the same level as say Origin Live that has been specializing in this for so many decades. What they can do however is make one that looks the tits. Especially since the one weakness of OL is their genuine British crapsmanship. Fit and finish are not their strength, that's for sure. So to the extent that matters it leans Raven.

Then there's the wild card, customer service. One thing about Origin Live, if you ever have a question or really need help they will get back to you within a week or so. Usually. No guarantees. Probably busy brushing up their crapsmanship. Seriously, love the sound, very well made, just not up to world class levels of finish and nowhere near average even customer service. No idea where Raven rates on service.

Good luck finding someone to host an audition. That is one thing I have never been able to manage.