Paralell tracking tonearms

I recently heard the air-tangent on the Brinkmann setup - it sounded great from the lower mid up but the bass seemed a bit soft and lacking in impact. Has anyone heard else heard this arm and compared it to other paralell trackers wrt this effect (especially the kuzma). I have also heard the clearaudio paralell arm - that was really soft in the bass also - and in the treble as well. Any thoughts?

 

Is the Air-Tangent in place of the Brinkmann arm ?

I've only heard the Kuzma on the Kuzma reference deck and it was pretty good on that.

I heard the clearaudio Master reference and the Parallel arm on that at a hifi show a couple of years ago. I quite enjoyed listening to it and it had a wonderful clear musical sound.

Sadly only heard these arms on the respective decks from the same manufacturer.

 

Yes Brinkmann Lagrange - Airtangent - Brinkmann EMT.

I didnt like the clearaudio kit so far - its not great for rock. Did CA dem it with classical or acoustic?

What did you think about the kuzma bass?

 

The Clearaudio was demoed ONLY with classical - it was very enjoyable - but thinking about it I've heard the deck several times at shows but only with classical - you may be on to something here.

Again the Kuzma was under show conditions and you can never be 100% sure. However I always think Audiofreaks do better than most under these conditions. The music being played wasn't my normal diet but it sounded pretty good from what I can remember, bass was there but the music didn't really highlight how low it could go.

 

Indeed its atrocious on rock. No rhythm, timing or bass and the treble is a bit soft. I thought any a cheap origin live beat it in that respect. I bought the brinkmann as it played all genres even handedly - and sounded better even on classical than the CA.

Hmm who stocks the kuzma these days? A shop in germany demos the kuzma with the brinkmann but its a bit far to go!

 

I know Audiofreaks distribute here in the UK and he is a bit fussy about who sells his gear.

I know MAX in the Midlands was stocking Kuzma gear but not 100% sure if it still is.

The Audio Consultants - somethere near Basingstoke/Reading - stock Kuzma gear and most of the audiofreaks range.

 

Hmm I spoke to the audio consultants on the phone one time to go listen to the kuzma and the vpi. He was quite the rudest man I have ever met in hifi. As soon as I said I wanted just a deck and not a whole system and that I didnt want valves and wasnt prepared to spend 25% on cables he just lost interest. His attitude was appalling so I didnt bother going for a dem. Others have had similiar experiences.

MAX is a bit far away - I am london based. Are they the only two dealers?

 

The only ones I know of the top of my head.

shame MAX is too far away as the guy there was very helpful when I bought my first deck/cart/phono amp from him. It was (and still is) one of the most pleasant experiences with a dealer.

I told him my budget and circumstances and he hit it spot on and in no way tried to sell me something else.

 

Mmm I need a dealer in london really.

 

You could deal with Branko from Audiofreaks direct but be warned he is very passionate about the stuff he sells.

I bought my Magnum Dynalab tuner direct from him and while he insulted my system, which I ignored, I was very happy with the service I got from him.

Not sure if he would let you home dem but he will probably give you a list of dealers.

 

Its a real shame when they do that. I had a distributor or two try that with me. Fortunately when they slagged off my kit (not the piece I was ringing about) and promoted their own I had already heard their kit in comparison with mine at a dealer so I could list the areas in which I preferred my kit so they didnt push it. My experience is that they tend to pick at every bit of kit you have and of course only theirs does everything right etc etc. Its just aggressive and obvious salesmanship - which is a bit off putting. If you put up an informed fight they usually give up. Its the same with a lot of dealers - its very off putting for newbies or less "forceful" individuals.

 

I must say my Clearaudio Revolution sounds pretty good with rock and funk - and I'm quite demanding in the bass area..
But I wouldn't use the parallel tracker - I like the old-fashionedness of an SME 3009/2! And of course MM cart - no air and space MC nonsense for me..

BTW, it's only 1.5 hours to MAX from London - it takes that just to get on the tube to the West End sometimes! And there's all sorts of nice walks round there, like at Lickey End, or Bell End

 

Lickey End - I'm getting all tearful for my home

Straight up the M40 onto the M42 onto the M5 and just off before Kidderminster - easy only a couple of roads, leave early enough and as stated about 1.5 hours - you could be back before lunch.

 

Are you sure? My parents live half an hours drive from "kiddoi" and it takes me 4 hrs to get home from my flat. I sold my car when i came to London so train is the only option.

It may be the arms are a large part of the problem with rock. The deck I heard was the reference with the top pivotted CA tonearm. I heard the paralell tracker CA on a customised simon yorke series 8. A brinkmann modified breuer 5 made pretty short work of it on that deck, most noticeably on rock. Excellent bryston power amp by the way! Perhaps your ear phono is helping the overall balance a bit?

 

Blimey that must be getting out of London - takes my 2.5 hours from Basildon - on a Friday, keeping to the speed limit (just) and I live about 15 miles from Kidder.

 

Well 45 mins to paddington. 15 min wait. 2hrs 45 on train then a 5 minute drive. Ledbury - real hole. Malvern hills are nice but thats about it ;-)

 

The EAR does add a bit of warmth, but not enough to be cuddly! The combo does make the couch vibrate, and it's a solid floor..

And it used to take me 1.5 hours to MAX - he's not in Kiddy any more but nearer Bromsgrove, but then I was coming from NW London.. Trainwise, who knows - it's almost worth hiring a car wot with return prices now!
And John is a lovely bloke - ex beeb...
But back by lunch is pushing it - I always spent at least 3 hours there..