Why is the price of new tonearms so high

Dertonarm,
I have been following this thread with only mild interest until you mentioned the importance of "dynamically" balanced tonearms. I do not have a physics background, so could you please briefly explain the advantage of dynamic versus static? balance. I have a SME V 9" arm and have experimented with setting the scale to zero and using the counter-weights only versus using the scale set to 2.0-2.2 grams. I have not really heard a difference but others say they have. What should I be listening for? What are the theoretical and real differences? Thank you for any insight you could offer. Peter

D,
I apologize. I now realize that this question was to some extent covered in my earlier thread about the SME V VTF in April or May. If you still want to add some thoughts, that would be fine. Thank you again.
Peter

I had assumed, perhaps incorectly, that this discussion of dynamic vs. static balance was in relation to gimbal pivot arms like my SME V. But Breuninger has me now thinking about the different effect each of these balance types have on gimbal vs. unipivot designs. I am also now curious if more arms currently in use are gimbal- or uni- pivot designs.

As far as Raul describing which design priciples he is persuing with his new arm, I doubt he would want to discuss specifics before the design is complete, but if he is, that sure would be an interesting contribution to this thread.

We have gotten way off the original question of this thread which was pretty much covered in the first few responses. For my part, I apologize. Perhaps there should be a separate arm-design thread.

I, for one, am really enjoying this thread. Dertonarm has reappeared with a slightly less overbearing approach, which I appreciate. I loved the German/European history lesson as my mother is from Saxony - a town called Wurzen. She witnessed the bombing of Dresden to later escape from the East and meet my American father serving in the army at the time. She told him "Ich bin sachsisch", which must have given him ideas....early on in their relationship:)

The two tonearm projects have me really curious to learn more from these two gentlemen. All in good time, I'm sure. This is Audiogon at its best.

I'm still curious about which is the most popular type of pivoted arm in use today. Does anyone know?