the 47 lab RS-A1 arm, and it's clone ?

I think the price is at least $1100 these days, still a relative bargain if you can deal with its idiosyncracies. I actually heard it at Dopogue's home. During a recent trip to Tokyo, I tried to find the RS-A1 in several of the high end audio shops. There were none on display, and my communication skills were such that I did not get any information on it. Next time I go (to visit my son who lives there), I will get him to translate for me. By the way, I mentioned to you that it is made by 47 Labs. This is to the best of my knowledge, but I am not even sure it's correct. In a sense you might say that the current product is a "clone" since it is no longer made by the original company that marketed it. The construction breaks EVERY accepted rule of tonearm design, which I guess is a commentary on tonearm design and the engineering thereof.

One was sold off this website for $500, or certainly less than $600, within the past 6 months. I know because I wish I had bought it.

You are exchanging communications with a man who once owned collector sports cars now worth many millions of dollars. Not to mention why didn't I buy that Ferrari 250GTO back in 1971 for $12,000 (now worth upwards of 5 to 10 million)? I guess one reason was that $12K was more than I earned in FY1971. So, it's all relative, and c'est la vie, etc.

Anyway, patience is its own reward. FWIW, there's an RS-A1 for sale now on A'gon, for more than $500 but with a re-wire upgrade that adds value.

Someone else did not make it to the shower on time. It sold. And not a bad buy at that. Congrats to the buyer, if he read this thread, and please report to us your impressions of that weird yet wonderful gadget.