Experience With Linear Tracking Turntables

@lohanimal 

@mijostyn speaks about the problem with lateral compliance which I’m sure is right as it makes sense - but it puzzles me that Kuzma released a silly money arm which is unusually heavy and apparently it throws the whole compliance thing out of the window -

I'm not a fan of super heavy arms, but I can tell you that I ran a high compliance Shure V15vxmr in a linear tracker ( Eminent Technology ET2 modded ) for 10 years with the stabiliser brush removed and without changing the stylus for those 10 years.

I sold the Shure for the full original price after 10 years use - the cantilever was still dead straight and stylus wear negligible.

I've seen more bent cantilevers from incorrect anti skate than I have ever seen on Linear trackers properly set up.

Not all Linear trackers are as heavy as claimed by some - the ET2 has a lower horizontal effective mass than the FR's, Dynavector and many others highly regarded arms of today.

@mijostyn and @dover 

I get the mass is mass - likewise I also get the issue with reviewers - many a culprit there - too many to mention - a lot of Emperors New Clothes.

The Derrenger (at least i think that's the name) does a very sophisticated 'active' lateral movement - that makes sense.

The old B and O has a hybrid mechanical lateral insofar as it pivots and upon getting to a point shuffles along actively. remember - it had a very light arm and was properly thought out - in fact i liked thee engineering approach of thinking out of the box - shame there is no affordable modern alternative that can be fitted to other decks.

Well at least @mijostyn is correct about the immutability of sex. And very sorry (belatedly) that you lost someone to (presumably) gender dysphoria-related suicide.

The Holbo mk2 Airbearing Turntable System is a great turntable that has an air bearing platter and airbearing linear arm . It is VERY easy to set up and use. The compressor is completely silent and is used in the same room as the turntable. Unlike other air bearing tonearms on the market, the Holbo mk2 tonearm has the ability to adjust the VTA while playing the record and adjust the azimuth!! which is very, very important. Without this, there is no top sound, because every cartridge has at least a small inconsistency, which a good tonearm like the Holbo can fix. Tracking is excellent without problems, as is the choice of cartridge; you can use any!

The Modern World has actually produced possibly in 2024 or more recently 2025, a TT that has a Platter with a Platter Spindle that is rotating and is in transit, travelling towards a Tonearm that is laterally rigid but has horizontal bearing freedom. 

If anyone who wants one let me know, I will put them in touch with the Brand.