Trans Fi Salvation rim drive tt and Terminator air-bearing linear tracking arm

Finally after 22 long months, I get my analog rig reinstalled. If there’s any interest in it, I’m very happy to chat further.
To kick off, here’s the link to the designer’s web page:

www.trans-fi.com Step009.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Well, made the decision to go w Andrey's new Terminator. Just spoke to Heino the co-designer in Finland (how many audio products are a UK/Russ/Fin/NZ/US/Aus/Pol co-operative venture, as is my analog front end?), and his reports on SQ impvts are sufficiently compelling to buy. Critically, deeper and more articulated bass, sweeter warmer treble and more spacious, deeper mids. Sounds good to me.
 
Well, made the decision to go w Andrey's new Terminator. Just spoke to Heino the co-designer in Finland (how many audio products are a UK/Russ/Fin/NZ/US/Aus/Pol co-operative venture, as is my analog front end?), and his reports on SQ impvts are sufficiently compelling to buy. Critically, deeper and more articulated bass, sweeter warmer treble and more spacious, deeper mids. Sounds good to me.

I own Vic's original designed Terminator arm. Is Andrey's design supposed to be better sounding?

Thanks

Tom
 
Greetings Tom, you're new here?

I've been running Terminator since 2013, updated w the new carbon fibre armwand, aluminium arm mount and 3kVA balanced transformer to air pump motor.

Vic stopped production 18 months ago, and Terminator has been reimagined with a combination nickel-plated brass manifold and aluminium slider.

The reports from co-designer Heino point to the arm having impvd SQ across the board.

www.musicfromvinyl.shop
 
Tom, I wouldn't blame you if you don't go for the new arm. I mean, why break a winning act?

However, you should really consider Andrey's carbon fibre armwand. A fraction of the cost of the new arm, but an instant Vitamin D shot to yr analog.

Me? With the truly rewarding changes wrought by Andrey's armwand and Owen's arm mount, I can't resist the potential for even further joy.
 
Tom, I wouldn't blame you if you don't go for the new arm. I mean, why break a winning act?

However, you should really consider Andrey's carbon fibre armwand. A fraction of the cost of the new arm, but an instant Vitamin D shot to yr analog.

Me? With the truly rewarding changes wrought by Andrey's armwand and Owen's arm mount, I can't resist the potential for even further joy.

Hi

I have been a long time reader of information here with very little posting. I have owned the Terminator since 2011 and I have nothing but high praise for it. I learned of the carbon fiber armband upgrade from you. I have the carbon fiber armwand and love the changes it has made. There was a problem though with compatibility of the arm - it was not moving smoothly with the cueing lever in the upmost position - I sent pictures to Andrey and he said he was going to redesign the wand so it was more universal to older arms. I am real tempted to go with the new arm.

Tom
 
Tom, same problem here but solved. The original armwand was one-piece alumnium with a gentle contour where it contacts the arm-lift rail on the manifold. The new carbon fibre armwand is two pieces glued together, and the hard join happens to abut the rail. Simply solved w Andrey cutting back one of the pieces, as he did for me. And of course that should be sorted for total arm packages.
 
  • Like
Reactions: carolus
Tom, the strong impression I'm getting from co-designer Heino is that the arm is far more resolving, but w no reduction in natural warmth. Fwiw, I hate upgrades that promise greater resolution, but tip up the tonal balance (certain cbls and footers), or those that supercharge the bass but impose a homogenous tone. I'm only interested now in changes that offer more but augment, not color, tone and timbre.

Have absolutely struck gold w Sablon system-wide loom (and Tubulus DB25 cbl to preamp), Revopods footers under Zus and Stacore Advanced isolation platform under tt (Basic Plus under bpt), and there's a v good chance this arm will be another musicality w neutrality success.

Ordering v soon.
 
Tom and Andrew, et al, some interesting feedback from New Terminator designer Andrey.

The manifold is a sandwich of nickel-plated brass and aluminium, slider made of aluminium, with a thin film btwn manifold and mounting block.
And as we all know, carbon fibre armwand.

The idea here is for discontinuity of materials from bronze to aluminium, enabling resonances to be mitigated, additionally bronze as a metal being v well suited to the task.

The film btwn manifold and mounting block helps isolate the arm further from vibrations.

The carbon fibre armwand is lighter and again discontinuous in relation to dual metal manifold, again aiding vibration management.

And the smaller, better engineered holes in the manifold enables less air pressure to be used, and less turbulence, again minimising an unwanted source of noise.

Sounds like a really thoughtful advance and evolution of the most recent Terminator iteration. It's been going as a design since 2008, and really deserves a wider audience.

Maybe we three can be standard bearers on WBF.
 
Tom and Andrew, et al, some interesting feedback from New Terminator designer Andrey.

The manifold is a sandwich of nickel-plated brass and aluminium, slider made of aluminium, with a thin film btwn manifold and mounting block.
And as we all know, carbon fibre armwand.

The idea here is for discontinuity of materials from bronze to aluminium, enabling resonances to be mitigated, additionally bronze as a metal being v well suited to the task.

The film btwn manifold and mounting block helps isolate the arm further from vibrations.

The carbon fibre armwand is lighter and again discontinuous in relation to dual metal manifold, again aiding vibration management.

And the smaller, better engineered holes in the manifold enables less air pressure to be used, and less turbulence, again minimising an unwanted source of noise.

Sounds like a really thoughtful advance and evolution of the most recent Terminator iteration. It's been going as a design since 2008, and really deserves a wider audience.

Maybe we three can be standard bearers on WBF.

You convinced me. I'm ordering the new version of the arm.
 
I received my GT 2000 from Japan in 2008. Even before I had received it, I stated publicly that my aspiration was to put a Treminator T3 Pro on the GT 2000. Since then I have acquired a Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge(I have never used it yet). I really think that it is time for me to buy that Terminator.

I think that this combination of turntable(The GT 2000 was intended to be used with a 40 pound platter) due to the torque of the motor, arm(a beautifully simple application of physics) and Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge could be a champion combination. Of course the Strain Gauge cartridge means it no longer qualifies as a bargain combination but I bet that the GT 2000/ Andrey Terminator combination would be one of the best platforms for the Strain Gauge at that price.
 
Theo, chat to Morricab about yr tt, I believe he owns one, and is a massive fan.

I can reliably inform you that Terminator and Straingauge is a match made in heaven. I have an overspecced LPS to the Straingauge energiser that boosts performance significantly.

I can't comment on how it will all sound on yr DD, but w care on install, optimisation and isolation, you may well have a killer combo.

You may well want to consider a bespoke aluminium arm mount from NZ. Less than €200, and another success story in the evolution of Terminator as genuine high performer and slayer of analog giants.

Contact Owen at
Oyoung@orcon.net.nz
Mention my name, Marc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: carolus
Possibly eventually. Funds are tight for the moment and I won't even be able to afford a Terminator for a while. It has been a costly year healthwise.
 
Sure. Good luck w all that. Audio ranks well below health in these moments.

Hey, you bought a tt in 2008. You're playing a long game Lol.
 
I never feel rushed to do anything. I leave everything until the last moment. I cannot do otherwise. I will not allow anyone to rush me. That is who I am. It happens when and if I feel like it and not before.
 
Theo, sit back. Morricab claims you have one of the best tts out there.

You can take if from me you'll have a premier level of arm/cart/(effectively) phono. All at a price band a mere fraction of the cost of more exalted combinations, even if you spend on LPS.

Happy to chip in when you get around to putting it all together.
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing