Straight tonearms without offset angle

The Viv arm causes a deviation from tangency of up to 10 degrees at the start of a record and this declines to zero before again increasing to 2 degrees.  This means FAR less skating than the skating force of an arm with an offset angle of 22 degrees or so.  The lower level of skating might argue in favor of no skating compensation.  

The Reed T 5 approach to tangency, with no offset angle to the headshell is a great approach, at least theoretically.  The same goes for the Schroeder LT arm. Parallel tracking arms using a conventional pivot and a servo mechanism to move the pivot to maintain tangency are also theoretically good.  Air bearing arms, and other low friction approaches that drag the arm back into tangency imposes forces on the stylus/cantilever that is sort of akin to skating forces.

I would like to try the Reed arm, but, it is quite expensive and I mostly listen to digital anyway.

Mijostyn brings up the LT and the 5G pretty much EVERY time the Viv is mentioned. I have no argument; those may be superior to the Viv, but that’s not the point. As to the skating force generated by the Viv: it’s always going to be proportional to TAE. So at the outer grooves it may be 10 degrees, worst case, gradually decreasing to zero skating at the single null point where also the direction of the skating force changes by 180 degrees and again reaches a negative maxima at the innermost grooves. A graph of the magnitude of the skating force is a near straight line passing through zero. Thus I would argue the Viv is much gentler than a classic overhung tonearm in terms of aberrant stylus wear. And it’s not a “brave” act to own and use the Viv, at all.

I have zero experience with underhung arms but, have followed this and companion threads with interest. Some of you may have seen the talk given by Jonathan Carr to a group or audiophiles in which, amongst other topics, he talks about underhung arms., . for those who haven't, here is the link 

Jonathan Carr Presentation at The Audio Salon (youtube.com)

Hopefully we can agree that Jonathan knows a thing or two about cartridges, so his opinion on underhung arms should carry more weight that most. See the relevant part starting at 18:40 

cheers .

richardkrebs

I have zero experience with underhung arms but, have followed this and companion threads with interest.

Same here, @richardkrebs. It's a puzzle that these arms would seemingly defy so many of the principles we've come to accept, and yet produce amazing sonics. I hope to hear one some day and until then, won't dismiss them outright as others here have been willing.

Thanks for the link to Carr video. Here's a direct link to the relevant part.

Wow! That talk by J. Carr covers a lot of topics in a very informative manner.  The explanations are terrific and balanced, with pluses and minuses of various design choices explained very well.  This is one of the few long discussions worth the viewing effort.

Thank you all for these links.