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String suspension vs. uni pivot or gimball tonearm

I think that string suspension tonearm allows the whole arm to oscillate back and forth to follow the music passage on the record which results the relaxed/natural sound characterisctics. Even the movements only in fractions of a millimeter, it's still back and forth movements. Pivot supported tonearms do not allow the back and forth movements hence more accurate/restricted musical reproduction.
When the string supported tonearm moves forward to comply with the heavy music passage, the stylus remains on that section of the groove a fractional of a second longer than a pivot tonearm would. This time delay creates longer sustainment of the music note. The string supported tonearms also provide more freedom for the arm to track the groove which results more natural music. Some string suspended arm employs damping materials to create more accurate sense musical image.
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nghiep OP
79 posts
 
I think string suspension tonearm is more susceptible to speed fluctuations either from belt slippage or speed control feedback problems. The speed fluctuation causes the arm to resonate and may be even skate due to more degree of freedom from the string suspension. I look at the string suspension tonearm designs such as mass and materials to absorb stylus energy before it get to the string to minimize tonearm oscillation. I visited with tonearm manufacturers at audio shows and got some insights.
nghiep's avatar
nghiep OP
79 posts
 
The vinyl play back started over a hundred years ago. It was just over 20 years ago, the Well Tempered arm was patented. I only guested that Mr. Bill Firebaugh realized that it didn't require much energy to keep the tonearm stable enough to track the groove, hence string suspension tonearm. The string suspension tonearm even though looks unstable but it is stable enough to track the record. The extra degree of freedoms provide another means of extract music from the groove. I usually listened to National Public Radio on the show " How human inventive minds work ". Even though that Vinyl supposed to be dead in the mid 80's, it 's alive and well today. Many small companies and DIYers took the vinyl playback to new heights. Turntables that virtually eliminate any vibration. Even the minute vibration from the needle is brought under controlled to get the desired musical presentation. Frictionless tonearm that provides purer music without bearing chatters. The vinyl playback is getting more pure from new inventive designs from turntable, tonearm, and cartridge manufacturers. I can't help from wondering about what if the suspension tonearm invented 100 years ago instead 20 years ago. Wooden arm wand came out before metal arm wand. I think we still about the same place in music play back as today due to human bias and laziness. Vinyl enthusiasts are perfectionists. They pursue the purer form of music playback against human nature and commercialization. When one swims against the current, one find out more about oneself. Sorry about the philosophy but I was fascinated with many aspects of vinyl playback. I am very sure that vinyl playback even get better in the future.
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