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Are linear tracking arms better than pivoted arms?

My answer to this question is yes. Linear tracking arms trace the record exactly the way it was cut. Pivoted arms generally have two null points across the record and they are the only two points the geometry is correct. All other points on the record have a degree of error with pivoted arms. Linear tracking arms don't need anti-skating like pivoted arms do which is another plus for them.

Linear tracking arms take more skill to set up initially, but I feel they reward the owner with superior sound quality. I have owned and used a variety of pivoted arms over the years, but I feel that my ET-2 is superior sounding to all of them. You can set up a pivoted arm incorrectly and it will still play music. Linear tracking arms pretty much force you to have everything correct or else they will not play. Are they worth the fuss? I think so.
mepearson
mikelavigne
1,274 posts
 
Dertonarm,

i tried my best to not make my post personal in any way....as all your posts have been made with respect and class. i don't mean to cause you to defend or explain yourself.

i just felt that when you posted that comment that it needed to be considered......as at least to me it's just a fundamnetal conflict to stray too far from the enjoyment of music when speaking about gear....however objective we attempt to be about cause and effect.

science serves art but does not define it.

i'm no techie, scientist, or engineer. maybe if i had more grounding in technical perspective i'd feel different.

this is supposed to fun.

best regards,
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Mikelavigne, no problem at all - I just felt that I could clarify a point or two.
This is indeed supposed to be fun, but too many audiophiles do take critic about components they own very personal and too often the components are the center of attention and admiration.
In my point of view there are no such things like "musical or emotionally involving" turntables, amplifiers, cables, cartridges or speakers.
To name them so is almost a contradiction in terms and nothing but a clear proof for the overwhelming attention the audio components do get from most audiophiles.
There are only audio components which do degrade the recorded sound during reproduction.
All do - the better less, the very best very little.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Hi C1ferrari, it is not limited to direct-to-disc recordings. There are a lot great recording out there which can - tracked with the "right" cartridge/tonearm combination - supply the full bodied sound and physical presence one gets from the better r-t-r machines.
It is rarely achieved and there are only very few combinations of LOMC/tonearms out there which can get you that. And this is related to mechanical synergy effects mainly.
But that would be another thread ..... and for sure would raise strong and widespread antagonism.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
One thing about the tape experience is how locked-in the soundstage is, and the complete lack of strain experienced with the most complex musical passages. This is something I have only seen a few times with LP systems. If you have not experienced what I am talking about, its hard to understand only in the context of vinyl playback. Those who have tape systems know what I mean.

IMO this is an area that all LP systems must strive to perfect.
samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
"There are only audio components which do degrade the recorded sound during reproduction.
All do - the better less, the very best very little."
Well put. I thought the same for a half century until I came to realize that certain additives and equalizations (tubes and digital processing, to cite examples) had the capability of enhancing playback intelligibility.
This topic, however, deserves its own thread.
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