Origin Live Illustrious Tonearm MKV

Each tonearm in the Origin Live range shares important features outlined below. Higher models are differentiated by refinement, increasingly costly materials, components and advanced engineering. Differences between various models are highlighted on the specific page allocated for each arm. You can also compare features on the Specifications page.

High Strength Alloys and Carbon fiber components

Your cartridge needs to be held with rock like solidity if it is to accurately extract the microscopic information contained within your record grooves. In strategic components rigidity is essential to reduce microscopic bending and “give” in the tonearm structure. The exact reasons why this is so critical go far beyond  superficial explanations such as reducing movement or resonance. The truth is little understood and would require a book to explain due to technical complexities.

Soft alloy castings and carbon fiber tubes (using fishing rod technology) are commonly used in tonearms but are wholly inadequate for high grade performance. Origin Live arms avoid these cheap alternatives and as you might expect the music benefits immensely from the improved rigidity. Gone is the soft, woolly, haziness and muddle that so many arms are responsible for producing. Instead notes have greater impact, dynamics, speed. This gives our arms their outstanding reputation for realism.

Features

• Hybrid arm tube, composed of 5 materials for superb energy dissipation
• Ultra low friction dual-pivot bearings for sweet, precise treble performance
• Dual-Pivot floating vertical bearings decouple the armtube from the deck, reducing coloration
• Higher mass Yoke than the Encounter results in a high definition tagible sound, particularly in the bass
• High strength aircraft alloy headshell for increased dynamics
• Superb quality copper conductor plugs eliminate signal degradation
• Integral VTA adjustment

Specs

• Effective Length 239mm (9 inch Version),  254mm (10 inch Version), 309mm (12 Inch Version)
  
• Effective Mass: Varies according to model – See specifications (links above).
• Arm mount adaptors are available to fit many decks – See fitting guidance.
  
• Tracking Force set by Counterweight position – no springs.
• Side Bias set by falling weight on thread for ultra-low friction.
• VTA adjuster enables infinitely variable height adjustment in easily repeatable increments.