Tone arms
27/09/07 13:57 Filed in: Tone arms
The tone arm plays a vital role in providing accurate
geometry for the stylus to track the record, whilst
managing and dumping unwanted resonances and vibrations
into the turntable base. In our view, the ability to
finely adjust effective length, offset angle, azimuth
and stylus rake angle/VTA are essential. Otherwise
tracing distortions are inevitable.
In our research we noted that cast tone arms often impart a graininess to the sound, which to our ears was unacceptable. We offer the stunning hand-made Morsiani CM-1 unipivot, the Dynavector 507 MkII, our own Artisan tonearm, and the Triplanar (as OEM fit with Galibier turntables).
Morsiani CM-1 unipivot
This arm is carefully designed and crafted for superior sound quality. Its designer evaluated a wide range of materials for key components, undertaking thousands of hours of research, before selecting a harmonic steel 78 rpm needle as the pivot bearing, a graphite headshell and carbon fibre arm tube.
This combination of materials performs the important task of draining stray vibrations from the arm through the bearing into the turntable base, resulting in superior imaging. Image stability is further enhanced by the unique deployment of two pairs of alnico magnets to provide the variable anti-skate force necessary for excellent tracking.
This is the easiest and most rewarding arm for optimising set-up that we have ever worked with - VTA and azimuth are easily set by referencing the pivot top to the perspex cover above it.
Click here to read Geoff Husband's review for TNT Audio.
Technical:
Available with base mounting for Linn, Rega or SME armboards
222 mm mounting distance
237 mm effective length
£1365
Artisan Capriccio
In reviewing the Raven One turntable we were intrigued by how well the Vivid tone arm performed. We tracked it back to the manufacturer in Japan (who also manufactured tone arms for Linn and Mission amongst many others). After a 12 month development programme we have finalised a number of unique refinements which enable this elegant, classic design to punch well above its weight.
In addition to the convenience of the removable head shell, the collet arrangement allows for easy azimuth adjustment. We find this a vital adjustment because cartridge manufacturers cannot align the stylus precisely perpendicular to the fixing face of the cartridge body. The pivot height is easy to adjust and the head shell slots are generous, allowing precise overhang and offset adjustment. Our detailed installation guide and protractor includes clear instructions for Baerwald alignment.
Specification
Cartridge mass range 4 - 12 gm
Effective length 234 mm
Peak tracking error 1.33°
Horizontal sensitivity 20 mg
Vertical sensitivity 20 mg
£500 including Discovery Plus 4 arm cable (RCA or XLR)
Dynavector 507 MkII
The 507 is a beautiful tone arm, superbly crafted and a dream to set up and use. Its design is unique in allowing low inertia in the vertical axis (to accommodate record warp) and high inertia in the lateral axis. It is a superb performer, and unusual in not adding its own sonic imprint to the music played. Sadly overlooked in the UK due to the fashion for sprung sub-chassis isolation, however well worth considering for use with a solid turntable.
£3375
In our research we noted that cast tone arms often impart a graininess to the sound, which to our ears was unacceptable. We offer the stunning hand-made Morsiani CM-1 unipivot, the Dynavector 507 MkII, our own Artisan tonearm, and the Triplanar (as OEM fit with Galibier turntables).
Morsiani CM-1 unipivot
This arm is carefully designed and crafted for superior sound quality. Its designer evaluated a wide range of materials for key components, undertaking thousands of hours of research, before selecting a harmonic steel 78 rpm needle as the pivot bearing, a graphite headshell and carbon fibre arm tube.
This combination of materials performs the important task of draining stray vibrations from the arm through the bearing into the turntable base, resulting in superior imaging. Image stability is further enhanced by the unique deployment of two pairs of alnico magnets to provide the variable anti-skate force necessary for excellent tracking.
This is the easiest and most rewarding arm for optimising set-up that we have ever worked with - VTA and azimuth are easily set by referencing the pivot top to the perspex cover above it.
Click here to read Geoff Husband's review for TNT Audio.
Technical:
Available with base mounting for Linn, Rega or SME armboards
222 mm mounting distance
237 mm effective length
£1365
Artisan Capriccio
In reviewing the Raven One turntable we were intrigued by how well the Vivid tone arm performed. We tracked it back to the manufacturer in Japan (who also manufactured tone arms for Linn and Mission amongst many others). After a 12 month development programme we have finalised a number of unique refinements which enable this elegant, classic design to punch well above its weight.
In addition to the convenience of the removable head shell, the collet arrangement allows for easy azimuth adjustment. We find this a vital adjustment because cartridge manufacturers cannot align the stylus precisely perpendicular to the fixing face of the cartridge body. The pivot height is easy to adjust and the head shell slots are generous, allowing precise overhang and offset adjustment. Our detailed installation guide and protractor includes clear instructions for Baerwald alignment.
Specification
Cartridge mass range 4 - 12 gm
Effective length 234 mm
Peak tracking error 1.33°
Horizontal sensitivity 20 mg
Vertical sensitivity 20 mg
£500 including Discovery Plus 4 arm cable (RCA or XLR)
Dynavector 507 MkII
The 507 is a beautiful tone arm, superbly crafted and a dream to set up and use. Its design is unique in allowing low inertia in the vertical axis (to accommodate record warp) and high inertia in the lateral axis. It is a superb performer, and unusual in not adding its own sonic imprint to the music played. Sadly overlooked in the UK due to the fashion for sprung sub-chassis isolation, however well worth considering for use with a solid turntable.
£3375