Thank you Micro and yes, I was asking a opinion queston. And I interpret you to say you feel a need riding in the middle of the groove with even force on both sides as well as the zenith being correct, In your opinion, is as, if not more important than say the stiffness of the arm tube.
So Marty is correct that conventional pivoted tonearm have an inherent flaw that at this time have not been overcome with strings or magnets. And this issue can cause enough unwanted distortions the product should be avoided if possible.
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@mtemur as usual you are making good posts based in science and with experience. In this case what ( achievable ) objective test would you propose for Klaudio?
IMHO friction of bearings should be checked both individually and totally as a system. Once it's cleared that zero-friction and zero-play bearings are installed it's time to concentrate on anti-skating mechanism. It has to be rather complex one.
I don’t know if it’s impossible or not. Maybe it is because of using too many bearings.I can see your logic, yet of course this is impossible
The clamping is automatic ( note : pictured table is a prototype ). You place the LP and move the arm towards start position. The spindle ' wings out ' and drops to place a clamping force, at the same time a rim clamp rises, moves in and clamps the outer edge of the LP....
Yes, your opinion regarding skating and bearing friction is correct. Skating comes naturally. But the amount is much less than in conventional skating. There is also bearing friction, too. However, the friction was designed to be applied as a necessary damping to turn the disadvantage into an advantage.
It can be lower but I’m not sure about that. It needs to be checked.
I wouldn’t call it an an advantage. Damping a tonearm is not necessary. On the contrary it should be avoided. Damping by bearings or any kind of damping at all can not be seen on top performing tonearms. Most of them has stiffer, harder materials (carbon fiber, titanium, sapphire etc.) without any damping or connection. Cause connection of two pieces also reduces rigidity. Only part that needs damping is rear weight. It’s related with resonance frequency of tonearm. If you’re referencing resonance then it should be eliminated by choosing stiffer material and careful designing of arm tube not damping by bearings.
I’m not advocating Well Tempered nor SME but the silicone well found on SME V is an option. If cartridge’s compliance is too high you can improve trackabiliy by using silicon damping. It’s just an option and the arm can be used without it. Actually it should never be used in any case. Instead of that the cartridge should be replaced with a proper one. Same goes for Kuzma 4Point. But according to your statement your tonearm always apply damping by bearings. It’s always in force which shouldn’t.
There shouldn’t be any resistance on bearings practically. Bearings should have the lowest possible friction and lowest starting force. This will enable free movement of stylus at the highest level.
You seem to have misunderstood mechanical damping as tube dampling. Anyway, you are very scientific and theoretical.
It wasn't meant as dismissive in any way. It was genuine admiration. Seriously! To build something like that just impressed me regardless of the sound, which I presume pleases the builder! Those amps are hardly some rubber stamped device designed by committee but by a very dedicated and passionate audiophile.
