The much higher effective mass in the horizontal plane of most linear tracking arms might not necessarily be a disadvantage. Bass is typically mastered monophonically, which means only lateral movement of the stylus tracing the groove. The higher effective mass in the horizontal plane would keep the arm from moving so easily so that all of that bass information is imparted to moving the cantilever which means that all of the bass information is actually recovered by the cartridge. This is the principle behind the Moerch anisotrophic tonearm. I don't know if this is also what is behind the sound of certain linear arms, but, it might be the case. With arms like the Walker and Mapenoll, I heard really deep and powerful bass.
Of course the higher horizontal effective mass would be bad news with off-center records which could severely stress the cantilever.
Does anyone have experience with the Shroeder linear tracking arm?
Of course the higher horizontal effective mass would be bad news with off-center records which could severely stress the cantilever.
Does anyone have experience with the Shroeder linear tracking arm?