Appreciate the reply. The Raven is no longer offered with a continuous run. Apparently Thomas got to many back for repair when folks mishandled the cable and damaged the interface at the base of the arm—one point for the OL. However, not sure I am on the same page about the azimuth adjustment. The Raven has a clamping head shell that can be loosened and rotated on the arm tube slightly to adjust—granted some loss of structural integrity. The OL arms from the Encounter up have a grub screw that allows you to rotate the arm tube to adjust azimuth—same axis of rotation just at the point where the arm meets the bearings rather than at the end of the arm—without seeing this arrangement in person hard to know whether the structural integrity of the arm is better preserved. Finally, I believe both arms feature dual pivot bearings but the OL has hybrid ceramic balls where the Raven has super high tolerance steel bearings. Oh and the OL does a ball and string anti skate while the Raven is magnetic. I also wonder if the OL composite arm tube may have the edge over straight aluminum on the Raven.
Anyone have the chance to use both these arms? Would love to hear your impressions.
Anyone have the chance to use both these arms? Would love to hear your impressions.