Yet another Zero Tracking error pivoted arm.

[niklasthedol]

Thales made yet another of the very high end pivoted tonearms with zero tracking error.

Thales Simplicity.

With tools to ensure cartridge is fitted the correct way:

Their original arm looks like this:

"dolph"

 

[saea501]

At a mere 9 grand.........yea.....I'll be first in line for that one.

 

[dumptruck]

Well I'll be... I wasn't aware of that design existing at all! Have other manufacturers used that method?

 

[ZebraBlvd]

Well I'll be... I wasn't aware of that design existing at all! Have other manufacturers used that method?

Garrard Zero 100

Thorens ???

 

[DENNYDOG]

The final design looks like a copy of the Gerard Zero 100 although probably better executed. I like the setup they made to make sure the cartridge is aligned properly.

 

[dumptruck]

Oh that's right, I did know about the zero. I have to think it works better than that. The Thorens, on the other hand, I have never seen.

 

[guiller]

Garrard Zero 100

Thorens ???

I knew about the Garrard, but was not aware of the Thorens design, thanks!

 

[vinyldavid]

I don't believe that's a Thorens design....it's someone else's, but they were really highly regarded back in the day. Just can't remember who it is....

 

[orthophonic]

That Thales looks like a modern copy of the B-J arm from 1953.

I believe the first Zero Tracking error tonearm was the 1936 Capehart Tru-Tangent.

 

[dumptruck]

Here's a page with a bunch of them. Mostly linears, but includes some of the above:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttrabco.html

 

[ZebraBlvd]

I don't believe that's a Thorens design....it's someone else's, but they were really highly regarded back in the day. Just can't remember who it is....

I thought the same thing when I first saw it a couple years ago, David. But the color of the headshell, along with its other parts, seem to match the table it is mounted on. Which I believe is a Thorens TD-124. This is what leads me to believe that Thorens had a hand in its design/production or both. At this point I really don't know. But if you do ever stumble across the manufacturer of the TA please let us know.

 

[Billfort]

Interesting thread and moderator note: no more thread crapping - if all you have to post is snide comments about how much something costs, take it to another forum.

 

[gadget73]

Totally unrelated, but I'm actually listening to my Garrard Zero-100 right now. This may not be the cream of the crop, but they don't suck either. I've paid more for worse results.

 

[elcoholic]

Here's a page with a bunch of them. Mostly linears, but includes some of the above:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttrabco.html

Cool link. A DIY air bearing arm is something I'm definitely wanting to build someday.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Yes, B-J's English design influenced the Garrard Zero arm. If this had been executed with today's advanced materials, you would have a major contender in tonearms.