Discuss The Viv Lab Rigid Arm


I am trying to do my due diligence about this arm. I am just having a hard time getting my head around this idea of zero overhang and no offset. Does this arm really work the way it is reported to do?

neonknight

Viv (not "vivid") supply a mounting template which is an L-shaped piece of plastic into which a hole is drilled for the spindle. You then place the template over the spindle and align the arm wand to be in line with the other leg of the "L", and set it up so the stylus falls into a tiny hole at the junction between the two legs of the L. Very, very simple in practice if not in my description. This sets the tonearm so that the single null point is about at the middle of the playing surface of a typical LP. Thus the stylus tip will underhang the spindle by the distance from the center of the spindle to the middle of the playing surface.  I gather that some do use an outboard pod in order to achieve the proper VTA, because the pod can be set up to be as short as you want so as to permit the needed min 45mm clearance.

Azimuth is fully adjustable by loosening a screw near the pivot end of the arm wand and then rotating the arm wand with respect to the pivot. I described my one issue with VTA. In order to achieve a level parallel to the LP surface, the distance from the arm wand to the bottom of the base of the tonearm has to be at least 45mm. (More distance is no problem, as you can raise the pivot off its base and then use a set screw to keep it in place.) On my Lenco, in order to achieve the minimum 45mm, I have to use my Boston Audio Mat2, which is 5mm thick, on the Lenco platter and then also shim the cartridge in the headshell, using a 3mm shim.

Correction: the stylus underhangs the spindle by the distance of the spindle from the arc described by the stylus once it is set to produce a single null point at the center of the playing surface. Not quite what I wrote above.

Hey Lew.... Great job!

Have you seen any mention in the documentation on where they want the null point to be placed?  My guess is 2/3 to 3/4 the way to the leadout is a good start.

dave

It’s based on the mounting template provided. IIRC the null point ends up about mid way across the playing surface but I’d have to check.

please check.

if you can trust the math it seems that putting the null at around 72-75mm will net the best overall compromise.  Below is what 72mm looks like compared ot 99mm and a typical Lofgren A.

dave