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Trans-Fi Terminator Tonearm: 2019 Update

In reading a few related posts on linear tracking tonearm, in general,  and Trans-Fi Terminator , in particular, I thought I would give a brief update of the Terminator.

I purchased the arm directly from Andrey in Moscow two months ago. From what I understand, Andrey has taken over production after Vic's retirement. What I received is the most up-to-date version of the arm with the carbon fibre wand and brass counterweights, the direct wire leads from cartridge to  phono amp, and a new brass manifold ( not evident from the main web-site). Both the wand and the new manifold are Andrey's contribution to the continued refinement of the Terminator.

Also,  please visit this site: https://darklanternforowen.wordpress.com/2017/04/15/terminator-tonearm-new-arm-mount/. This gentlemen from NZ has developed a new arm mount for the Terminator which advanced the arm's sonics even further. It was reading through the the development of this new arm mount that convinced me to order the Terminator after much prior research. I did not purchase the arm mount from NZ as it would not readily fit my Verdier La Platine, instead Andrey made a custom arm mount. It is in essence a two point support mount rather than a single point support rod that is commonly used. 

My previous arm was a SME V of 1990's vintage mounted with a ZYX airy. The Terminator is several notch above the SME V. All the accolades given to the Terminator seem justified. My main point in writing is that the new developments by Andrey, i.e. the carbon fibre wand and the newest brass manifold, seem to improve upon the Terminator even more ( see link above ). This is the news that I wanted to share with existing Terminator owners. I asked Andrey to start a blog on all the new stuff that is happening with the arm, but it seems that he is busy making 'things'!




ledoux1238
ledoux1238 OP
276 posts
 
@spiritofmusic It's interesting that the path to the Terminator began with the desire to move away from big branded audio razzamatazz dealer input. I live in a part of the world where cars and audio gears typically retails for twice their US counterparts. ( Yes, a base Macon retails for $ 88,000, and a Harbeth 40.2 Aniv. $40,000. ) The entire luxury audio ecosystem is a big turnoff. The way Vic brought his product to market through Andrey's  continued efforts speaks volumes. 

In reading your posts, past and present, our tastes and priorities in audio equipment may differ, other than the Terminator. However, I believe the the commonality is the pursuit of reproduced music that mirrors as closely  to our lived musical experiences. 

@bdp24 I have a suspended plinth in the La Platine which I was told would not be a good fit for linear tracking arms. Not the case at all.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,460 posts
 
@ledoux1238, Did I make the case for a suspended plinth not being a good fit with a linear tracker? I saw Brooks Berdan mount and use the ET on many Oracle and SOTA tables, both having fairly "soft" suspensions. When the VPI TNT was introduced, he preferred it’s higher mass and firmer suspension for use with the ET. But I saw a couple of Linn’s with ET’s in Brooks’ shop!
harold-not-the-barrel
895 posts
 
My ORACLE DELPHI and Terminator performing in 2009, taken by a digital camera:

https://youtu.be/Ql9Gq6ir7hA
spiritofmusic
828 posts
 
If you look at Vic's website in past, plenty of trad suspended tts have Terminator installed.

The only critical issues w the arm are getting it level, care w cable dressing, free flow of air from pump.

The tt suspension is not a consideration.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,460 posts
 

Some people (including the late Brooks Berdan, I believe) found the moving mass of the ET could have a substantial effect upon tables with a low mass floating sub-chassis, a very soft suspension, or both. As the arm moved across the LP, the center of gravity and suspension’s balance could be disturbed.

But the ET has (again, I believe) higher moving mass than does the Terminator. The latters lightweight moving parts should pose no problem to any table (except the Townshend Rock, of course ;-), as Harold's video demonstrates.

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