9", 10" or 12" tonearms

additional length makes the geometry better. Theoretically the arm will track better.

There some stellar 9" arms though, so it's really pretty relative.

I have always wanted to try a linear tracking arm to do away with the geometry/tracking error problems inherent in pivoted arms.

I have seen a lot of excellent reviews for the Terminator linear tracking arm from the UK.

Bottom line, the longer the arm the less distortion than that which would be created by a shorter arms geometry. The 12" arm would track in a shallower arc allowing the cartridge to trace more accurately from the beginning to the end of the record surface.

Think in terms of a 9" arm representing a circle 18" in diameter and the 12" arm would create a circle of 24" in diameter. Cut and paste (in your minds eye) a section of each on a record and you will see the difference each arc makes.

I now have a 12.7 VPI, which is a great arm, as well as shorter arms. My own opinion is that good arms of any length have more performance in them than most ever get out of them. The 12" arms require different length arm boards or even different tables than shorter ones, something to be kept in mind. Not all tables will accommodate them. I like the longer arms but I would not make it the sole or even the most important criteria in choosing an arm.