Thales Tonearm

XV-1

XV-1

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Hi Guys

thought I would create a thread for the Thales tonearm. I have been lucky enough to demo first the Thales Easy and now the Simplicity II tonearm. I am so impressed I am buying it.

The Simplicity II is certainly reference class and has a unique patented was to have tangential linear tracking with a pivoted tonearm - The entire tonearm and headshell moves across the record mimicking the tangential linear cutting of when a record is cut. The tracking geometry is based on a unique tetragon solution that reduces the tracking-error to 0,006°. link for more info re the tracking geometry.
http://www.tonarm.ch/de/technology#Geometry Thales Simplicity

Mike asked for a quick explanation on setup ease or complexity so will add a few points on that.


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Thanks Shane. I did some research on this arm. Awesome stuff! Love the tech. Must track beautifully. Vocals must be superb.


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There is no finger lift? Do you just raise it and the grab one of the bars?


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Quick and dirty main set up points.

The Simplicity and Easy comes with an alignment jig that fits over the spindle and fits perfectly against the back of the tonearm. If you have a movable arm board like I do on the TW Acustik table, it is a piece of piss to set this part up.

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There is a seperate headshell for the cartridge. the cartridge is aligned in its own alignment jig, not dissimilar to the Graham jig, see below. You then load the headshell onto the tonearm from the side and tighten a small set screw. You align the cartridge in the jig to 3 specific points on top, left and right as well as a small point for the stylus. Certainly easier than trying to align a cartridge on the tonearm.
As this is a linear tracking tonearm you cannot align it to any of the normal alignment curves.

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VTA is aligned using a screw that you can see on the metal piece that the arm rest is on. You simply use a hex screw to raise of lower the arm height - after of course loosening the locking screw.
Adjusting azimuth is really easy and easy to do it precisely. undo the two screws that is at the bottom of the Octagon holding the two tonearm pipes. then there is a hex hole just to the right and you slightly turn it right and the entire arm moves right or visa versa in small increments. really easy to get the azimuth perfect.

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VTA is the only thing on the arm that is a PITA. thankfully once set I never change it.
As there are two arm tubes, each tube has a separate counterweight. The additional counterweight that goes on the back is attached only to the inside are pipe via two small circular pieces of metal. You need to unlock the locking screws, then insert and move in/ out to get the correct VTF. It take a few goes back n forth as most counterweight have screw in or out. This you need to slowly push in / out. When VTF for my Atlas was at 1.72 I tightened the two locking screws.

Overall the set up is not difficult as long as you take you time. The small effort is well worth the sonics at the end,



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Mike said:
Thanks Shane. I did some research on this arm. Awesome stuff! Love the tech. Must track beautifully. Vocals must be superb.


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Click to expand...

I believe Micha the owner is a watchmaker, so the build quality is like the best Swiss watch. To see in person is something else. The small hex screws are amazing in that they are small but work perfectly.

Yes, Vocals sound absolutely incredible with this arm. That was probably the first thing I noticed as well as lead instruments like piano or guitar sound more life like with better micro dynamics. There is an overal stability of the musical image that is uncanny.

Mike said:
There is no finger lift? Do you just raise it and the grab one of the bars?


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Click to expand...


Yes, no arm lift. I think it would interfere with the precise alignment structure of the arm. You use the arm lift to lift up - move the arm by lift the arm pipe, then lower using the arm lift again. Its very easy after you get used to it - after all you are only lifting 1.7 gms :P
 
Shane, I'm racking my brain. I can't recall seeing anything like this. At least not with this level or precision. Is the Thales very unique?
 
Mike said:
Shane, I'm racking my brain. I can't recall seeing anything like this. At least not with this level or precision. Is the Thales very unique?
Click to expand...

sounds like your interest has been piqued. :P That is what these threads should be about. People can then do their own research and decide for themselves on the merit of the product.

Certainly unique with Thales specific implementation to optimize the tetragon solution and reduce the tracking error to 0.006° The idea dates back to 1953 if you have the time to read the link. he has been perfecting this since his original tonearm back in 2004.
And yes, the precision of build is unbelievable


There are only two other tonearms that I know of that mimic linear tracking from a pivot.

Schroeder has their LT tonearm which the physical tonearm seems to move at the base to mimic linear tracking. I think J Frech owns one of these.

KLA have a linear tracking pivoted tracking tonearm that has been playing on static display at a few of the hifi shows recently - but nothing playing music as yet. I believe Myles Astor is getting one to listen to soon.
 
The Thales is a work of art. I've admired the KL Audio arm since I first saw it. But it's huge. If it comes as part of a table, then we are talking. For now, the Thales looks like precision artwork.
 
The Thales would look beautiful on the Kronos. So much more elegant. Simplicity through superior precision engineering. Love what it does and the problems it solves.
 
Mike said:
The Thales would look beautiful on the Kronos. So much more elegant. Simplicity through superior precision engineering. Love what it does and the problems it solves.
Click to expand...

It would indeed The metal on metal would look stunning.

There are a few AF1 users that have the Thales Simplicity.

I would love to hear on either the Kronos or the AF1 - or maybe I wouldn't :weird: :P
 
XV-1 said:
It would indeed The metal on metal would look stunning.

There are a few AF1 users that have the Thales Simplicity.

I would love to hear on either the Kronos or the AF1 - or maybe I wouldn't :weird: :P
Click to expand...

Noticing a 103R is in your collection, stock or modded ...?
 
Gentlemen, as you appear being the top of the crop specialists for everything turntable, have you ever come across, heard, tested the Dynavector 507Mk2?

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http://www.dynavector.com/products/tonearm/e_507mk2.html

Of course it is an older design, but quite intriguing. I heard it recently mounted on an Avid Acutus.

It's quite a machine. The reason for asking is that I find the Thales fascinating, except for the fact there is no mechanical lift. With my clumsy hands I would not want to rely on lifting the arm with my fingers.



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a.wayne said:
Noticing a 103R is in your collection, stock or modded ...?
Click to expand...

Hi AW.

not quite. the 103R has an Ebony wood body, then modified by the Expert Stylus Company with their Ruby cantilever and Paratrace stylus. Gives the cartridge a lot more transparency and detail while maintaining the denon's lovely musical drive.

Highly recommended.
 
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