12 inch tonearms

The Moerch DP-6 is an anomaly, in that the consensus is that its 12" iteration is a better arm than the 9" version. Equivalent mass 9" and 12" Moerch arms sound different. I have some thoughts as to why, but no time to elaborate on this.

In general however, I would agree with Raul in that it ain't the meat, it's the motion … that length is just one attribute contributing to fun-factor. Cartridge compatibility and a host of other matters come into play.

I used to look at Bob Graham's white paper (where he advocates a 9" length as being the best optimal solution) with a jaundiced eye. From the perspective of the importance of optimizing tracking error to the exclusion of all other parameters, my experiences with Grahams, Triplanars and Schröders have brought me over to Bob's camp.

FWIW, Frank Schröder is also in the 9" camp … again, because there are so many different issues contributing to making a competent, musical arm that satisfies the goals of getting the most music out of your record collection, with length (and any inherent tracing distortion advantage) being only one of them.

Again, the smart money has it that in the Moerch world, 12" is the way to go, but know that in the opinion of many, you will not be learning anything about 12" arms in general, but rather about the Moerch in its 12". If you are curious about the Moerch, then this is the path many have taken.

Are there cartridges which will work best with the 9" Moerch? I suspect so. The above comments are based on tribal knowledge and not cast in stone.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Thank you for the informative responses. The deal is this: I have an Avid Diva, which can accomodate 2 arms. Already have a 9 inch Origin Encounter.

Since this is all about having fun, I thought about adding a 12 inch arm and started doing a little research. Certainly not as much info out there on 12 inch versus 9 inch.

Looks like the jist of it is that 12 inch would be theoretically better due to less tracking error, but is harder to implement in reality than a 9 inch.

But it seems there are some contenders:

Moerch 12 inch
VPI 12.7
Sme 319
Clearaudio 12 inch
Nottingham 12 inch

At least these are the ones I have found to date. The Moerch site is certainly very detailed with their arm info.

But I can't seem to find reviews of the 12 inch arms.

any comments from 12 inch arm users out there?

Thank you.

Hi DMgrant,

I applaud your quest for knowledge and musical truth. I cut the following comments from the Schroeder FAQ's section of my website ... not to deter you from your quest, but to add another point of view.

I think you should look at a second good arm, and not limit yourself to a 12" one ... unless you have specialized needs (or curiosity, which I obviously applaud). With that preamble, here's a portion of my "first impressions of a Schroeder" page which is linked to from my Schroeder FAQ's page:

As I've gained experience with more quality pivoted tonearms in the last 18 months, I have arrived at the conclusion that most of what we describe as tracing distortion in pivoted arms is in fact the arm chattering in the groove. I'm certain that my positive experiences of 12 inch tonearms has more to do with the quality of these arms and not with their length - it ain't the meat, it's the (absence of) motion (resonance).

I am in complete agreement with Frank Schroeder - that by stabilizing the cartridge in the groove (taming resonances) the need for longer tonearms is obviated. Build a good 9" arm and you don't have to go longer. Certainly there are specialized requirements for long arms, among them are increasing mass for low compliance cartridges as well as the use of oversized platters, but 12" arms are not required for sonic reasons. I have become a true believer.

Cheers,
Thom

Thom, Makes good sense to me- easier to keep the cartridge in line at 9 inches than 12. Mostly the quest is based on curiosity and variety.

Does this mean that most of the nine inch arms can't do it as well as 9 inch or that, under the Schroeder theory, most simply choose to make 9 inch arms?

Dear Dmgrant1: Which cartridges do you own? and which one is mated with your Encounter?



regards and enjoy the music.

raul.