[size=10pt]9" vs 12" arm - AVID vs VPI
Først ut, [size=10pt]AVID (UK) fra http://www.avidhifi.co.uk/faq.htm#link9
"Why don't your turntables take 12" pick-up arms?
From inception, our design philosophy stated maximum information retrieval....in the real world.
The pick-up arm is one of three elements that make up the record player. Establishing that rigid 9" arms would offer the best performance, our designs were modelled around this parameter.
Recently 12" arms have come back into fashion, claiming lower tracking distortion. However whilst in theory this is correct in the 'real world' this rarely happens and there are also the downsides to take into account.
Average distortion on 9" arms is 0.85%, whilst 12" arms are 0.67%. Some trying to impress will say this is 20% lower distortion, however this is incorrect as in real terms its only 0.18% lower.
Now add to this the downsides of higher moving mass, lower arm rigidity, higher counterweight inertia and worst of all higher distortion caused by misalignment.
Yes...in the real world rarely are styli correctly fitted within the cartridge body and most fit their cartridge using a standard alignment gauge using the body as a guide. Therefore if your stylus is misaligned within the headshell the distortion will be greater using the 12" arm as the distance from pivot to stylus is greater.
Record damage is greater due to counterweight inertia, warp tracking worse by higher moving mass and sonic degradation caused by unwanted structural resonances in longer arms, coupled to having oversized turntables causing more issues.
And you still want to use a 12" arm?"
Så, over til VPI (USA) fra: http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_tonearms.htm
"Notice all the companies coming out with 12 tonearms now they are 10 years behind the curve. VPI has a decade of experience designing and building 12 arms..."
og fra: http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_jmw127.htm
"Many audio companies are introducing 12 tonearms. They are 10 years too late! VPI has a decade of experience designing and building 12 arms and knows what makes them work and what doesnt. The time has come for VPI to incorporate all its knowledge of tonearm construction and produce a state of the art design. The 12.7 is the end result of a search for a tonearm that meets the following criteria:
1. A machined tapered arm tube for minimum standing waves in the arm wand and maximum rigidity with low mass.
2. Fully adjustable in all parameters to optimize results from any cartridge.
3. Totally rigid mounting system that literally becomes part of the turntable chassis.
4. Universal cartridge compatibility with stylus resonances in the 9 to 11 HZ range.
5. The best Nordost Valhalla wire (comes as standard).
6. The choice of either XLR or RCA outputs.
7. Adjustable fluid damping for optimal cartridge compatibility.
Once these criteria were met, VPI Industries voiced the arm to be as neutral as possible with vanishingly low tracking distortion and the speed and agility expected in a tonearm of this caliber. Made from the finest materials, finished in a beautiful satin aluminum finish, and hand built for quality and consistency, the JMW-12.7 will be your last tonearm. As all VPI product, the JMW-12.7 is made in the USA."
Først ut, [size=10pt]AVID (UK) fra http://www.avidhifi.co.uk/faq.htm#link9
"Why don't your turntables take 12" pick-up arms?
From inception, our design philosophy stated maximum information retrieval....in the real world.
The pick-up arm is one of three elements that make up the record player. Establishing that rigid 9" arms would offer the best performance, our designs were modelled around this parameter.
Recently 12" arms have come back into fashion, claiming lower tracking distortion. However whilst in theory this is correct in the 'real world' this rarely happens and there are also the downsides to take into account.
Average distortion on 9" arms is 0.85%, whilst 12" arms are 0.67%. Some trying to impress will say this is 20% lower distortion, however this is incorrect as in real terms its only 0.18% lower.
Now add to this the downsides of higher moving mass, lower arm rigidity, higher counterweight inertia and worst of all higher distortion caused by misalignment.
Yes...in the real world rarely are styli correctly fitted within the cartridge body and most fit their cartridge using a standard alignment gauge using the body as a guide. Therefore if your stylus is misaligned within the headshell the distortion will be greater using the 12" arm as the distance from pivot to stylus is greater.
Record damage is greater due to counterweight inertia, warp tracking worse by higher moving mass and sonic degradation caused by unwanted structural resonances in longer arms, coupled to having oversized turntables causing more issues.
And you still want to use a 12" arm?"
Så, over til VPI (USA) fra: http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_tonearms.htm
"Notice all the companies coming out with 12 tonearms now they are 10 years behind the curve. VPI has a decade of experience designing and building 12 arms..."
og fra: http://www.vpiindustries.com/products_jmw127.htm
"Many audio companies are introducing 12 tonearms. They are 10 years too late! VPI has a decade of experience designing and building 12 arms and knows what makes them work and what doesnt. The time has come for VPI to incorporate all its knowledge of tonearm construction and produce a state of the art design. The 12.7 is the end result of a search for a tonearm that meets the following criteria:
1. A machined tapered arm tube for minimum standing waves in the arm wand and maximum rigidity with low mass.
2. Fully adjustable in all parameters to optimize results from any cartridge.
3. Totally rigid mounting system that literally becomes part of the turntable chassis.
4. Universal cartridge compatibility with stylus resonances in the 9 to 11 HZ range.
5. The best Nordost Valhalla wire (comes as standard).
6. The choice of either XLR or RCA outputs.
7. Adjustable fluid damping for optimal cartridge compatibility.
Once these criteria were met, VPI Industries voiced the arm to be as neutral as possible with vanishingly low tracking distortion and the speed and agility expected in a tonearm of this caliber. Made from the finest materials, finished in a beautiful satin aluminum finish, and hand built for quality and consistency, the JMW-12.7 will be your last tonearm. As all VPI product, the JMW-12.7 is made in the USA."