Origin Live Tonearms

I have become familiar with the Encounter and the Illustrious, through being demonstrated them in use on another's owned system.

I have only heard them in use with a Sumiko Pearwood Cart', but can assure you, there is a very good presentation from this match, one that I class as very engaging and with lots of attraction.

@goofyfoot I have heard the Illustrious used with a Garrard 401 and have a long term usage of a 401 under my belt with a SME IV.

I never had a Cart' in use as the Sumiko Pearwood.

From Recollection, the experience of the Garrard 401 built into a Compressed Bamboo Plinth > Illustrious > Sumiko, mounted on a 2 X Tier of Panzerholz Board as a Sub Plinth, is possibly the best Idler Drive I have heard in a non owned system, and I would say this will possibly have been the outcome if the demonstration was in my own system.

The owner of the arm now has it mounted with Cart' on a Belt Drive Schue TT, which has been modified with a Origin Live Modified Motor.

I am yet to be demonstrated this, but the owner is claiming that it is as good as the SME 20/12 that was sold off not too long ago.  

Recently I missed a demonstration of comparisons between the Schue, and Two other TT's. 

In the not too distant future, I will be receiving some of the fruits born from my encouragement, and will be in a position to be demonstrated the same New Design Tonearms in both 9" and 12" on the same TT, using the same Brand/Model Cart's with a very similar usage life.

There is also to be a selection of Types of Wand Wiring to see where the Signal Path is most benefitted. 

This same set up will also enable other Tonearm Brands to be A/B compared with same Cart's in use.

A new recent turnout has been that the Geometries for the New Design Tonearms are a relatively easy alteration and there will be a Overhung/ Underhung Geometry A/B compared as well, this can be done in both 9" and 12" if there is something discovered that is seemingly worthwhile having a furthering of the experience.   

I have donated a Cart', along with a selection of Tonearms to be A/B compared.  The Designer / Builder of the initial arms to be A/B compared, also has in their possession my no longer used SME IV to be compared in their early tests.

This will be the very first time, I will have been able to form a accurate view on the 9" vs 12" Wand and how the differing lengths effect a presentation, as these methods to be used for the demonstrating are not usually found readily available to be used.  

@goofyfoot Note: I have no vested interest in any of the items referred to in the following, I have been receiving invites, to be part of the assessment team during the evolving R&D.

The Tonearms in question are now, following a very successful working Prototype,  Blinged for the Aesthetic Appearance and produced as a Batch in this Aesthetic.,

The assembly is to be assessed for consistency in performance of the finished item.

Once the Mechanical Consistency is evident, Arms will be compared as identical builds in the differing Wand Lengths.

Other Wand Lengths will have a different Wand Wire, to make discoveries about the Signal Path. 

This is where the introduction of other Tonearms will enter into the assessment period.

When all is done, the Tonearm will receive a Model Name and there will be a Brand Name as well, as the producer, has their own range of EE Items to take to the Market. 

@goofyfoot you inquired " I'm assuming you get paid for this? "

I have never been remunerated for time or expenditure, the reward is plentiful enough, being involved with the skilled and creative types learning from them and witnessing their conceptions become realised. 

I have for numerous years (30ish), built a social networking with likeminded individuals around my interest in HiFi equipment used to enable a Recorded Music Replay.

I chose not to be lone listener in a room many years past.

I am totally satisfied with the miles travelled and experiences encountered and the influences that have had a substantial impact on how I have built a system.

Some experiences have been so fulfilling, my system has as a result, Commission Designed /Built devices, that are proving extremely good choices.

Not much in use is Branded Goods or remains true to a Brands Model that was once offered as part of a Catalogue Item..