Tonearm without off-set

You dont mention if the arm will be straight, S shaped or a bananna congfiguration. Either way, a 12 inch arm is a jewell. I have a couple of audio friends, one who has a 12 inch straight arm with the head shell at the correct offset. He said (and I agree) that this lowers the mass when compared to an S shape or a bananna arm. He does not employ antiskate, but I can see that (as you are facing the turntable) the cantiliever of his cartridge pulls to the right as if the arm wants to 'skate' in towards the record label. When I see that, it makes me think that a little antiskate wouldn't be such a bad thing. I personally use it on my 9.25 inch Grace 747, but then I kinda need too as I don't have the additional tonearm length to dial it out.
I am envious! Wish I were having a 12 inch arm built!
Enjoy.
Norman

You ask if the no-offset proposal is "a good idea", and yet, at least at VA, you seem determined to purchase one, despite all evidence that this is not, in fact, a "good idea".

If you're just looking for validation for this irrational concept, I doubt you'll find it either here or at VA. What's even more surprising is that any reputable tonearm manufacturer would build one for you, unless your goal was to be the dj 'scratcher' with the 'biggest, baddest, longest arm'.

Johnbrown

"irrational concept"

We are among people who spends in excess of $50,000 on their hifi system. Some Like DD and Raul would probably be in the range of $250,000.

Some at AG buy 2 watt amplifiers that cost $25,000 and say a Garrard TT made in 1948 is better than a $30,000 SACD player. I could go on.

So if I do not think like you, I become irrational?

No I have not bought the arm, but is seriously thinking about it. By asking for opinions and discussion before any purchase means "validation" to you. You would be criticizing almost half of what is written in this forum. Isn't that what forums are for?

"unless your goal was to be the dj 'scratcher' with the 'biggest, baddest, longest arm'."

You don't have to belittle me because I do not agree with some of the people at VA or here.

So sorry I can't agree with you and make you happy.

Thanks for you post.

Doug and Raul

Thanks for both of your very informative reply. I hold them in high regard.

After reading the huge thread that discusses anti-skate where both you and many others contributed, made me come to the conclusion that rather than to cure skate with anti-skate, we should look at avoiding designs that adds skate - such as an arm's off-set.

The option of a linear arm does not thrill me, and if I do go for an off-set arm, it should at least be 12 inch to reduce tangential tracking error.

This is where I am in my thoughts at the moment. I do have an ARO and a PU3 at the moment. will probably be also buying a Lab 47 RSA-1 too. So having this non off set arm is just something I am toying with to install in my DIY Lenco which will ultimately have at least two arms.

it should at least be 12 inch to reduce tangential tracking error."