Offset vs. linear arm measurements?

[cgallery]

Dumb Q department:

Has anyone ever measured the same cartridge + stylus in both an offset and linear arm, and posted the results?

Using the script discussed here or anything else for that matter?

Obviously a T4P to 1/2" adapter would be required for the offset arm.

Are there any differences expected or observed?

 

[cgallery]

Wow, it was THAT dumb a question?

Alright.

 

[Balle Clorin]

I guess few have measured that. In another thread it was reported that arm (and TT) have minimal effect on frequency response, a small deviation er the vary top and bottom frequency. I have measured that my SME V gives a very flat and even response while a cheaper arm shows obvious resonance and wobbly spots in the response, with the same cartridge , I guess a tangential arm will be similar. A shift and difference in resonance spots if any.

In theory a linear arm should give less tracing distortion if truly tangential at stylus. SOMEONE must have compared it ….

 

[mfalcon]

I guess few have measured that. In another thread it was reported that arm (and TT) have minimal effect on frequency response, a small deviation er the vary top and bottom frequency. I have measured that my SME V gives a very flat and even response while a cheaper arm shows obvious resonance and wobbly spots in the response, with the same cartridge , I guess a tangential arm will be similar. A shift and difference in resonance spots if any.

In theory a linear arm should give less tracing distortion if truly tangential at stylus. SOMEONE must have compared it ….

Did you post these measurements? I’m very interested in what differences arms have empirically. I would think that the resonances or lack thereof would be measurable but haven’t seen it done much.

 

[EERecordist]

In theory a linear arm should give less tracing distortion if truly tangential at stylus. SOMEONE must have compared it ….

There are many articles on radial taccking distortion, like https://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/2023/07/20/tonearm-tracking-error-and-distortion/

The lathe is linear tracking. I'm a fan of linear tracking playback. I would agree radial tone arms are pretty, I think because we are visually used to them.

 

[narud]

the measurements @aaaakkkk has posted are from a linear tracking sony psx800. maybe theres some cart overlap with measurements from other users? ive got a technics sl-5, a shure v15v-p and both solid and laminated core audio technica p mount bodies with various styli. maybe i can put something together.

 

[melloncolliecat]

I'd love to see some measurements too. Of course, inner grooves would be the important part to compare, preferrably with a line contact on both arms.

 

[DVDdoug]

Theoretically linear tracking should be better and I believe cutting lathes are linear.

But it's probably not very high on the list of problems/limitations with vinyl.

There was a post here to a video by someone who deals in vintage audio and linear tracking turntables are on his list of things he avoids buying, selling, or restoring because they are difficult (or impossible) to repair.

It probably falls-into the same category as laser pick-ups... something that sounds like a great idea that doesn't work-out so well in the real world... And you have to wonder why they are so rare, even with high-price turntables.