Linear Tracking or Not?, Any Experiences and Recs


I am considering the advantange of a linear tracking tonearm compared to a bearing or unipivot arm. From my uderstanding there is no arm that can compare. Is this true. Does this make the top of the current arms not worth considering. Are there any cartridge that will reject or demand the use of a linear tracking arm. From what I understand some carridges won't work on a linear tracking arm, as well as several turntables.
dgad

Showing 1 response by outlier

I've been using an Airtech MG-1 linear tracking tonearm with my Teres 255, supporting a ZYX Airy 3xsb cartridge. I've been very happy with it - it replaced an OL Silver, and is clearly superior to that arm. The MG-1 including air pump set me back only about $450 (I think it costs more like $750 now) Still, I'm guessing that given your system, this arm may not compete with the arms you have such as the Ikeda.

I should also mention that while I seem to get great sonics from the arm, when I try the hi-fi News Record Reveiw test LP, I get pretty poor results on some of the test tracks. The OL Silver fared better on the test tracks, but doesn't sound as good.

Finally, I should mention that it's far easier to damage a cartridge with a linear tracker arm. You need to have the arm housing (tube where the air holes are) absolutley horizontal to ensure optimum tracking, and need to double check this frequently as it does shift.