why is a 13" tonearm design really superior?

at the High-End in Munich the Italian designer Horo presented a turntable in the figure of a long Steinway piano. He mounted a tonearm in the form of a violin bow, properly a 30" design... I never listened to it.

I promised to report about the 24" tonearm I have seen on a pic - it is a design of German tonearm designer Fuchs. A friend of mine told me that it sounded very good. 24" inches - not too short...

Tbg, I use many 12" arms and I discovered that well built decent arms matched with the right cartridges are delivering a wonderful soundstage, also in the deep frequencies - very dynamical but also precise and detailed but not overanalytical.

When listening to the SAEC 8000 I really started to doubt my ears. Believe me I have some other items to compare with. Nevertheless this design is not only technically surprising but also in the sound quality it transports.
Therefore there must be some reason why there is no any other making a 13" design, or is there any?

when experimenting with so called old scholl arms like the FR-66s

Dear Raul, we all know that there are several factors which make a good arm. this was not my question aiming at. But what you mention below is very interesting and I do agree with you on the missing features. I run it with a Titan i (see pic under my system) and an Eminent Ultra Bc. I am looking for another headshell to mount my XV-1s. Could you send me a pic of your sorbotane installation - thanks

ok that´s a limiting factor of course, understand.
Today a friend of mine showed me a pic of a 24" tonearm.
He listend to it and was overwhelmed. He will find out what manufacturer it is, I will report on it.
Maybe the headshell speciality with very long straight tonearms like the SAEC 8000 is also a kind of issue.

Flyfish - agree with you on your Phantom judgement. I did run the Phantom I (with some upgradings) against the "longer" SAEC 8000 on my Nakamichi - means on the same TT, same Crystal Dreamline cable to the KSL transformer, same Titan I cartridge. In my eyes the Phantom is one of the best tonearms you can buy at the moment - and it fits on most TTs. I like this tonearm very much. Nevertheless against the SAEC 8000 the matchpoint is on the SAECs side.
The problem of the SAEC 8000 is the headshell, which needs to be a very special one due to geometrial reasons. And they are hard to find. Phantom tubes are usually available.

Hi Myles_B_Astor. The designer may listen to a WE 8000 and he will change his opinion quickly. Promise.

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan

Hi Moonglum,
yes Clearaudio offers a Unify in a 14" format. I never have listened to it.It is not that expensive...need to check.

Hi Myles_b-astor,
I think the market did not ask for longer arms, this is changing. So Bob responded to the market`s requirements and now is offering a good 12" Phantom. regarding antiskating you have some advantages on this longer designs too.

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan

Hi Moonglum, thanks for the article. I do share the impressions regarding the ET 2.5. I do not know the Wilson Benesch arm but do respect the quality and musicality of Wilson Benesch products. Is it really the carbon fibre, who knows?

I like this material very much. Of course costly but light and stiff.

best & fun only - Thuchan