Just days ago, I received both of AVIDHIFI’s brand-spanking-new tonearm models. Say hello to the entry-level ALTUS and the range-topping NEXUS.
NEXUS
AVIDHIFI has harnessed its bespoke hyper-strong titanium arm tube to push rigidity to the next level. The GR9 grade titanium boasts a 1.3 mm wall thickness, providing unmatched strength and resisting bending or torsion modes that could negatively impact sound quality. Each of its components is manufactured to incredibly tight tolerances. The NEXUS headshell is precision-engineered from solid aluminum and undergoes rigorous machining to ensure compatibility with the arm tube.
A handy VTA ring is included with the NEXUS tonearm. This is just for finding the initial position. Once the desired height is reached, the arm shaft needs to be fixated with a single hex nut on the side.
The headshell wire clamps fit very snugly onto the BORON’s pins, obviously making for good connections but requiring extra care when pushing them onto the cartridge. Always do this with the protective cover in place.
A purpose-designed low-capacitance external phono cable reassuringly anchors into place using a right-angled DIN connector and terminated with high-quality gold-plated RCA plugs.
For purists wishing to embrace the naturally balanced output of a phono cartridge, the cable is also available fully balanced with XLR connectors.
The arm shaft hole in the arm board has a shape that combines a round side with an outwardly slightly egg-like side. The latter side is vertically machined such that the sole point of contact with the arm shaft after fixing the side screw is in the vertical middle of the shaft.
The tonearms are supplied with perfectly-fitting arm boards which are screwed in place from underneath the chassis extension. The geometry is made for a pivot-to-spindle distance of 216mm rather than the relatively more common standard of 222mm, used for instance by Rega.
Stuart Robertson of AVIDHIFI explains pivot-to-spindle geometry
The 216mm distance was selected as an integral part of an overall geometry that allows keeping the arm shorter for increased rigidity, while also allowing a lower moving mass. This lower moving mass reduces the inertia of the tonearm, resulting in an ideal balance between rigidity and tracking performance, ultimately leading to lower tracking distortion. This “shorter” length is crucial to keeping unwanted resonances in the arm to negligible values.
The choice of effective length is just one of many design decisions that go into creating a high-quality tonearm. We’ve also optimized other elements of the tonearm’s geometry, such as the arm tube shape and size, the headshell, and the counterweight, to create a tonearm that delivers excellent sound quality and tracking performance.
There is not really a norm when it comes to geometry. While the Rega pivot to spindle length is adopted by some other manufacturers, our expertise, and on-tap precision manufacturing plant, have allowed us to not just settle for what those before us have done, but instead, (as we do with everything we design), start with a blank sheet of paper and design a product that is the absolute best possible without limitation or constraint.
The Pivot to Spindle (Mounting Distance), Tracking Angle (Offset Angle), and Overhang, together with some other elements make up the overall geometry. It’s the overall geometry that makes the difference, and that’s where the magic happens!
Here is the NEXUS tonearm, mounted on an AVIDHIFI Sequel SP Turntable
If you ask me, the NEXIS makes for a stunning match with the turntable’s sleek and minimalist yet technically reassuring appearance.
ALTUS
The ALTUS offers cascading features from the Nexus such as the micron tolerance bearings and the adjustable progressive Bias. ALTUS employs a thick-walled aluminum arm tube with a 2 mm thick wall to make sure the cartridge is held securely above the record and aid the transmission of vibration away from the cartridge. The ALTUS Headshell is produced through a precise laser cutting process on solid aluminum, ensuring the highest degree of accuracy in terms of tolerances and providing a steadfast base for the cartridge. The headshell is then fitted to a solid aluminum collar, ensuring seamless integration with the arm tube.
No VTA ring for the ALTUS, but otherwise, the fixation works precisely the same way as for the NEXUS.
Note the thinner headshell wires compared to the ones used with the NEXUS. Don’t worry, I checked, and they most certainly do not make the arm sound thin:-)
Here is the ALTUS tonearm, mounted on an AVIDHIFI Sequel SP Turntable. Its sleek and understated looks make it appear elegant and unobtrusive.
The ALTUS is elegant from all angles.
For both tonearms, AVIDHIFI has intentionally limited the free vertical movement of the arm. When mounted with the VTA such that the arm is level with the LP surface, and with the arm lift in its up position, the arm only goes just about high enough to clear the stylus from the digital scale’s weighing platform. Since the arm lift uses unusually soft and compliant foam, it’s worth being extra careful when traversing such objects on the platter’s surface.
Side By Side Comparisons
Here are the two counterweights shown side by side. On the left is the ALTUS and on the right is the NEXUS. Note that the NEXUS weight has the same outer diameter but has a wider diameter hole to fit the thicker arm. To compensate for this, it is wider/thicker in shape.
Availability
AVIDHIFI just started shipping to the local distributors. Unless the demand drowns the supply, the arms should be available very soon.
Retail prices in the Netherlands:
ALTUS €1.800
NEXUS €5.250
External Links
Distributor for the Benelux: Hexagon Audio
Manufacturer’s website: AVIDHIFI
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