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Schroder sq and the new talea

I heard there was to be a fun time of learning and comparing of these two arms at the rmaf. Since the talea is relatively new, it still has to stand the test of time with comparisons on other tables, other systems and the selective and subjective tastes of discerning audiophiles! There is to be a comparison in one of the rooms at the rmaf this year, which i wasnt able to make. I would be curious to hear some judicial, diplomatic, friendly talk about how they compared to each other in the same system and room. I currently own the origin live silver mk3 with a jan allaerts mc1bmk2 and am enjoying this combo but have become curious about the more popular "superarms" Hats off to both frank and joel.

I hope this thread draws more light rather than heat. If someone preferred one arm over the other it would be OK. With all the variables it doesnt mean that much to me. What matters to me is what it sounds like to me and in my room. With that said...

What was your bias? was it for the schroder or the talea?

cheers!...
vertigo

Showing 6 responses by peterayer

peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Great one Syntax. Where do you find these cartoons?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Dan,

Five minutes is a bit optimistic ;^) The first time I ever heard the Talea was when it was being compared to a Kuzma linear tracker in someone's home system. It actually took be about 15 minutes to recognize its superior performance. Only one variable, the arm, was changed and it was in a very controlled and quiet environment with my own music. It was a very convincing demonstration. The Talea is a very good arm.

I'm sorry I missed this demonstration, but I was wiped out by 8:00PM and went out to find some dinner.
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Just tonearms, yes. But viewed as tools to reach a higher state of musical enjoyment and all that that may entail for some of us, well that is something more, no?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Though I appreciate the philosophy lesson and agree with Dertonarm that this is a very interesting discussion, I would like to ask a question about these two tonearms.

Forgive my naivete, but how can a unipivot arm with one bearing point maintain azimuth? I've seen magnets used to "stabilize" this rocking motion, but when I move a unipivot over from the armrest to the lead-in groove, the arm wobbles all over the place. Compared to my gimbaled-bearing arm, these seem very unstable. I've heard the Talea sound very good in a friend's system, but I don't understand how azimuth can't be changing constantly. What am I missing?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
Dertonarm,
I understand your arm design will be on the market in about a year. Do you care to tell us here on Audiogon anything about it?

Raul,
What is happening with your tone arm design? Is it as you say a "universal" type design? When will it be on the market?

I demoed the Talea at a friend's house with the A90 on a Teres table. I much preferred it to his Kuzma airline arm during a four hour listening session. It seemed to recover more information from the record grooves or tracked the LP better, or damped the resonances better, I'm not really sure. I am certain, however, that I enjoyed the music much more and it sounded more real to me. It was also easily adjustable and seemed to be well made.

I gather from this forum that each of you is familiar with the Schroder arm, but has either of you ever heard the Talea? If you have, what are your impressions?
peterayer
1,382 posts
 
I agree with Lewm,

IMO it will never happen as long as the manufacturers are involved. I was there at RMAF 2010.

For such a direct and meaningful comparison to take place, I believe it has to be in a private setting, in one system, with privately owned examples of the two arms. The rest of the conditions could be similar to those outlined by Vertigo above. The owner (s) would need to be willing to do the shoot out and then I don't see any obstacles.

Good Luck. I would love to attend that one.
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