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Tonearm without off-set

Hi All

Just wanting to know if a straight 12 inch arm without off-set is a good idea.

Yes, the alignment is not as good as an off-set arm, but there's the advantage of having no anti-skate problems, and also probably less stress on the cantilever.

Any feedback from current users of non off-set arm would be fantastic, or any opinions you may want to share on this topic.

I have to make a decision which way to go, as the arm manufacturer can make both versions.
william62

Showing 1 response by normansizemore

normansizemore
601 posts
 
You dont mention if the arm will be straight, S shaped or a bananna congfiguration. Either way, a 12 inch arm is a jewell. I have a couple of audio friends, one who has a 12 inch straight arm with the head shell at the correct offset. He said (and I agree) that this lowers the mass when compared to an S shape or a bananna arm. He does not employ antiskate, but I can see that (as you are facing the turntable) the cantiliever of his cartridge pulls to the right as if the arm wants to 'skate' in towards the record label. When I see that, it makes me think that a little antiskate wouldn't be such a bad thing. I personally use it on my 9.25 inch Grace 747, but then I kinda need too as I don't have the additional tonearm length to dial it out.
I am envious! Wish I were having a 12 inch arm built!
Enjoy.
Norman
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