Why the sudden popularity of 12 inch arms

Hey guys.....don't underestimate the Rega Planar 3!
It MUST be wall-mounted and the Hadcock GH228 is a far better match than the Rega arms.
I simply don't gel with the sound of suspended decks.......do any of you see a similarity here - Caliburn, Criterion, Walker Proscenium, Rockport Sirius, Raven AC?
Have you heard the VPI HRX?

Z,of course there is always something better!My point is....with the performance I currently get,I no longer "care" all that much about bettering what I am hearing,"in my room".Been to loads of trade shows,dealer showrooms,personal hobby set-ups at some reviewers' homes,and friends' homes.Yeah,there is a better mousetrap,but I'm close enough to not worry about getting hemorrhoids anymore!
As to the wood..."not like this grain pattern,and finishing"!!No way,jose!!...This pair was promised to a certain reviewer,for personal usage.Instead,Mike Hobson got them to me as a favor.Sometimes things work out.-:)
Best.

BTW,Z or anyone curious(c'mon we all like to check out what some of us own/like)about the Ascent MK-II(which I modded twice),there is a review which can be found online(probably Avalon's site)written by Michael Gindi(he talked me into getting my pair).I never appreciated the validity of this review,until years of ownership.Especially "after" a friend had bought one of the superb Kharma designs,then morphing to the close to the Ascent, but still no cigar Magico Minis(yet I LOVE the Magicos,and could see getting a pair,if in a different room).These still fell short of the Ascent-II(if you like micro-detail.. oh boy)....The review is enthusiastically written,and quite entertaining....AND.. DEAD ACCURATE(took years to realize how accurate it truly was)!!
OK,I'll go back on topic-:)

Mr. D, Let me have some fun! My taste is all over the map. Good production = heavy rotation at the Z house. Mr Halcro, I believe Rega owned several price points in the past. They are a price point line. The prime reason I think Acoustic Solid is uncompetitive today is that they use Rega arms way too far up the line. Having a little trouble on the suspended issue, however. Another design where things have come a LONG way. A brand new Linn may sound similar to one from 1985 but I have a VYGER here, that for the money, has been a real eye opener. PLUS, it will accommodate a 12. The new MS tables are pretty wonderful as well. Regardless of price. I could go on... The HRX has little real competition at it's price point. IMO. You should see how many are used at CES. Plus it can use the 12. We are going to see more 12s fellas, it is better on paper, and getting easier to build with lower mass, shorter "moment" etc... can't wait! Z.

Sir, Speakers truly are a subjective matter. As you can see, I just sold a pair of 20 year old speakers that I liked VERY much. There is old and then there is old; I had ADS speakers in my CAR (!) 20 years ago! The brand had, by this time become obsolete/uncompetitive in the home use market and for a few brief moments they were SOTA in car stereo. The last dying gasp, so to speak. No need to defend Avalon, they are certainly in the top 10? Any company that just survives 20 years in hi-fi is a testament to consumer acceptance. Happy listening! Z.