Comparison of sonic qualities of some tonearms

A 9" pivoted tonearm using the Lofgrin A pivot to stylus distance and a 30-degree offset has a tracking error less than 2% and this causes second order harmonic distortion far below that of a SET amplifier, which is inaudible. Good luck mounting a cartridge to the nearest degree. This is why linear tracking tonearms are no advantage over the advantages of pivoted tonearms.

This is why linear tracking tonearms are no advantage

But this is not an agreed fact. Science proceeds by finding reasons for agreed facts; these reasons become models; and models make predictions, which are subject to test.

You seem to be stating a prediction and treating it as an experimental fact.

@drbarney1 

Thanks for pointing that out.  Yes, but is it possible that the audible experience that others have with linear tonearms is due to some other factor?  Maybe the lack of anti-skate plays a role?  Regardless, theory and reality can sometimes be different, which is why I was hoping that some would comment on their experience with various tonearms.  

I am not an expert, but in 1989, I purchased an SME IV. Brooks Berdan, an analog equipment expert, removed the wiring, installed the finest Cardas phono cable (and I also mean the absolute hairlike finest thin cable), shot closed end foam into the tube and epoxied the ends at the cartridge wiring exit in front and the wiring within an RCA outlet box. Despite the clumsy VTA adjustment, it has been a dream arm for simplicity in use and dialing in setup other than VTA. I’ve used a DynavectorXX1, Lyra Lydian, Benz Ruby III and now a Dynavector 20X2 L (plays nearly all my 28,500 LPs well or great). I wanted a Tri-Planar but it was too costly at the time. It’s still a great arm if not near SOTA. I paid $1100 and when production ended it was $4300. Great arm.

For an upcoming experience, that in my mind one I am very much looking forward to. T

The Designer / Builder / Owner of the Tonearm to be put under further trials, is looking to set a date for this period to commence, but it is predicted it will most likely be a set of dates, as the intention is to run things on to allow Wires to optimise.

To assist with this period of trials, I have purchased a Batch of Wire to be used as a continuous Wand Wire on a new design Tonearm.

Wires Purchased are from 0.1mm - 0.3mm Diameter, of which some are a Solid and some are Stranded.

Wire Types are Copper and Silver, with the intention to put PC Triple C and PC Triple C /EX Wire in the line up, as this type is what I know as a modern design for a Wire, and the only TA from a commercial entity using it as a Wand Wire is SAEC in their WE-4700 $13000 TA.

D.U.C.C Wire is a modern Wire as well, this might be introduced at the latter stages of trials, when another Branded Wand Wire is trialed.   

The intention is to select a Wire that the listening group unanimously agrees on select a Wire the designer builder would like to run with.

The next intention is to become quite familiar with how each is able to impact on the sound being produced across a selection of systems.

When this is done the intention is to bring the AN Kondo Silver Wire in as a further  comparison, to see if anything manifests to change the opinions of the previous choices made by the attendees at the demo's.

The AN Wire will sell on very quickly if not up to the task, or will be retained and could be a wire that is possibly offered (?), as a Upgrade Wire Option when the TA's become a sale item.

All trials are to be carried out initially on a same support structure, same system, using the same TT > Plinth > Tonearm > Cart.

Additional Phonostages will be utilised either as a SUT - Head Amp > MM Input or as a Dedicated MC Input.

This same trial type will also be done on the same system to compare Tonearms of other Brands as the Plinth is produced in Panzerholz and is purpose designed for this experience, enabling it to receive additional arms between 9" and 12".

Same Brand Cart's are available with a very similar usage life to be mounted on the Tonearms. 

My own SME IV will be one of the TA's used for the comparisons, as will my TA, that superseded the use of my IV and my owned Audiomods Series Five.