General question on Carbon fiber tonearms versus aluminum


Is it my imagination or is it real?  In a very general sense, do Carbon fiber tonearms sound a bit better than the aluminum tubes?   I am not sure but if I was a betting man, I would put money on the carbon fiber tubes.   Any comments here?

I'd especially like to hear from folks who have had both on their turntables or who have owned both just not at the same time.

Thanks!
128x128spatialking

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

We do every thing we can to insure that the only movement/vibration that occurs is the tiny magnet or coil within the cartridge.

This transcends throughout the system all the way to the cantilever material: less weight, higher stiffness best.

Tonearms with maximum stiffness: Carbon easily wins over aluminum, it’s calculated differences are shown here:

https://dragonplate.com/carbon-fiber-vs-aluminum

Carbon is -40% density; +70% specific stiffness +289% specific tensile strength.

To achieve a total tonearm weight, to meet a design goal, carbon can be thicker. In any material, thickness increases strength.

My 12.5" effective length arm is Carbon, and the designer can use a greater thickness to achieve his design goal. So, carbon in equal thickness is much stiffer, increase it’s thickness, it is extremely stiffer.

Carbon is the viagra of tonearms.

Looked at the other way, to keep weight down, aluminum must be thinner, thus weaker, thus less damping, less attenuation of vibration.