Thanks!
It was a long design/build process, but a fun one.
Kudos on the PaperStone work, too! I can appreciate what was involved.
Thanks!
It was a long design/build process, but a fun one.
Before it was licensed to Dennesen, it doesn't look as good without the gold plating, but it sounds the same. These first generation were simpler, but had the key features including adjustable VTA (while playing, of course). I remember showing it around Boston, the Boston Audio Society and local companies. I remember Tomlinson Holman had a collection of oddly warped records chosen to make anything mistrack. This worked with all of them. There exists a stash of parts from the pre-production run. I restore antique telescopes as well as keep and listen to a lot of vintage audio gear. It was a fun experience, going through the patent process while I was still in college doing physics.
Alan Sliski View attachment 5401 View attachment 5402
Long time lurker. First post.
Almost two years ago I saw, in Post #112, that there is “a stash of parts from the pre-production run” for this tonearm.
I bought one as a partially assembled kit.
I made some modifications. Not that it needed any. It’s just more fun.
I added magnetic damping. To do that I replaced the original cueing rail with ¼” square copper bar stock and hung a neodymium magnet from the arm tube so it traveled closely along that copper bar. The Dennesen production version also had magnetic damping.
I lowered the counterweight to lower center of gravity to be pretty much at the pivot point (neutral balance). That had the side benefit of being able to use the arm as a level indicator in the direction of arm travel. Adjust the counterweight for zero VTF and let it go, with the air turned on of course.
I used to have access to a laser cutter that could cut ¼” Plexiglass. I used it to fabricate the damping magnet holder and the thing that lowers the counterweight.
The arm tube I selected is carbon fiber. It’s conductive so I was able to ground it by running a bare 30AWG wire down its length.
The signal and ground wires that exit the arm are #38AWG magnet wire for flexibility.
I added a brass weight at the headshell to adjust the effective mass for the Dynavector XX2-MK2 cartridge. I also purchased a heavier counterweight so it would balance with the extra headshell weight.
Two Medo AC0102 air pumps are used to supply the air. They’re wired so that when one breathes in the other breathes out. They are cooled by a quiet 12VDC computer fan. All of that and a surge tank is enclosed in a box with a pressure gauge on top. It’s pretty quiet.
One of the properties of this tonearm that I think is significant is in the geometry of the airfoil. It allows the arm to pivot slightly so that, for very small horizontal excursions, the cartridge thinks it’s on a pivoted arm. It means that, unlike many other linear trackers, the effective mass of the arm is similar in both the horizontal and vertical directions. That geometry also helps prevent the arm from getting jammed up.
The turntable is made from Empire 208 parts on a PaperStone plinth. I didn’t have the heart to drill holes in the plinth for arm attachment. So I used the cheesier method of some card stock and adhesive tape. The card stock is double-sided taped to the base of the arm and then the card is taped to the plinth. It works well enough.
The ABLT-1 works beautifully and the whole setup sounds great to me.
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Kudos on the PaperStone work, too! I can appreciate what was involved.
I'm not sure he was so happy about the project after going through the experience. As it turned out it wasn't so easy.
I saw/heard the Saskia at Newburyport. Extraordinary.
Price it again. I dare you!
So, we've met?
By the way, the Saskia you heard wasn't finished when I got there. It was the Model Two prototype, and it didn't even work. Like the Tucker automobile, it was made functional at the event. That was somewhat daunting for me, but I was determined to show up with it in tow. The production ones are far more refined.
Surprisingly, I don't think it had an expensive cartridge on it at the time. Maybe a Denon DL-103 or variant?
I helped a friend out a few years ago. I was over at his house every weekend for two months and eventually asked about the dormant TT sitting in storage. He said a friend gave it to him, and it does not work. When our project was over he was glad to have me clear his junk out.......Sitting in a box to be cleaned and serviced is a working Pioneer PL-L1000. As you can see, I am a firm believer in linear tracking TT.
Take special note of posts by 213cobra (Phil) on page one as a double post and at bottom of page two.
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/are-linear-tracking-arms-better-than-pivoted-arms
Yes I recall that thread at the time--very interesting and Phil's post was endearing and an informative look at his take on the subject under
discussion.Also it is good to see him posting here--always refreshing to see one who is not afraid to speak some words of wisdom on matters
and not be concerned to stir the pot or upset city hall
BruceD
Dear mr Alan Sliski,There exists a stash of parts from the pre-production run.
What brand and model is this?For the money a real good conzept, looks good and sounds good.
Plays 33/45/78 heard with ortofon venice smooth musical a real bargain.
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