View Full Version : My new Little Fwend
farflungstar
11-03-2017, 09:21
I saw this marvel of Norwegian engineering mentioned in a post a while back - the Little Fwend tonearm lifter, and it got my attention.
I hate worrying about being there to raise the arm at the end of a side, it complicates things when you're working while listening or lost in a reverie. So I ordered one.
It arrived yesterday in the most functionally perfect packaging I've ever seen - suspended in a crafted H frame wooden case. The lifter is beautifully made and oozes care and attention to functionality with style. Fitting it to the deck was a doddle, and as I waited for the first side of an album to finish I watched, expecting done mishap. But no - as the stylus moved towards the label it rose as if by magic without a sound or wobble.
I then continued to enjoy my new found freedom - getting on with paperwork at my desk knowing the little fwend would take care of things.
Yes, it's expensive at €200 - but for peace of mind it's worth it.
Here's a pic from the net - will post one of it on my deck later.
http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/w483/farflungstar/IMG_20170311_100151_813_zpsbgsovut0.jpg
The epitome of "almost too expensive".
rigger67
11-03-2017, 11:19
"too expensive"
farflungstar
11-03-2017, 12:30
At 5% the cost of my cart and the protection it offers it I think it's worth it.
anubisgrau
11-03-2017, 16:16
At 5% the cost of my cart and the protection it offers it I think it's worth it.
absolutely, not once i forgot to lift the arm to find that out only an hour or so later...
walpurgis
11-03-2017, 16:34
absolutely, not once i forgot to lift the arm to find that out only an hour or so later...
The run out groove of a record has no modulations, so imposes little wear on a stylus.
farflungstar
11-03-2017, 16:49
I have a couple of records that have a soft click or some other noise in the final groove - I've never forgotten to lift the arm but the relief of not having to worry about it is great.
A gentleman I once worked for who ran a well known Hot record store in Plymouth once went on holiday for a fortnight leaving a TD150/Shure M75ED running in the runout groove of a record. The record was visibly worn, but the stylus was fine.
farflungstar
11-03-2017, 18:50
A gentleman I once worked for who ran a well known Hot record store in Plymouth once went on holiday for a fortnight leaving a TD150/Shure M75ED running in the runout groove of a record. The record was visibly worn, but the stylus was fine.
Holy shit.
flapland
11-03-2017, 21:51
I make that from a rough calculation over 130 miles in two weeks.
I have a couple of records that have a soft click or some other noise in the final groove - I've never forgotten to lift the arm but the relief of not having to worry about it is great.
Most of my records it's a bl**dy great thump so it's my Woofers I worry about rather then the stylus !
200 Euros is a bit steep for me so may try one of these............
http://www.thequp.com/
Jim
Audio Al
11-03-2017, 23:51
We need a video of this working :)
walpurgis
12-03-2017, 00:00
We need a video of this working :)
Yes. Absolutely!
Nothing new under the sun! This from 1975
https://youtu.be/2QgSczuiJEc
Audio Al
12-03-2017, 00:23
Its a lot smaller than I thought , But does work a treat :)
Its a lot smaller than I thought , But does work a treat :)
Said the actress to the Bishop :whistle:
Audio Al
12-03-2017, 05:15
Said the actress to the Bishop :whistle:
:lol:
Looks rather tall? They sell little boxy ones on Audiogon and Music Direct for $50, not nearly as nice to look at, and I've never seen it work. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170312/0a17fab001e9b3f69b6c700d05f782d0.jpg
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Infinitely Baffled
12-03-2017, 09:27
I hate worrying about being there to raise the arm at the end of a side, it complicates things when you're working while listening or lost in a reverie.
Is this the very definition of a "first world problem"?
IB
farflungstar
12-03-2017, 09:29
Yup
Riislingen
12-03-2017, 20:47
Got one of these: The Leviator
Almost like the expensive on, functions flawlessly and cost far less. Tim's a nice guys as well.
http://www.wiplastics.com/page05.html
The Fwend is definitely the best looking of the lot
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Wouldn't work with the 1200 though?
farflungstar
09-04-2017, 17:03
Dont know the layout of the 1200 but I don't see why not.
At the Fwend web site only the SP10 is listed as compatible for the Technics turntables.
farflungstar
09-04-2017, 20:12
Yes I have the SP10 but to be honest I didn't know there was a comparability list! Lucky.
magiccarpetride
10-04-2017, 16:53
The epitome of "almost too expensive".
Nah, the name itself is worth the price of the admission.
There is a review of the Little Fwend in the upcoming Hificritic for April-June 2017:
http://www.forum.hificritic.com/posts/t10312-HIFICRITIC--New-Issue-News--Vol-11-No-2-April--June-2017
I can't believe I read this whole thread! :rolleyes:
Cycleallday
07-06-2017, 22:16
Just finish a cheaper option
http://www.analogueseduction.net/category-692/the-q-up-automatic-tonearm-lifter.html
Another one from Canada - Integrity Hifi Tru-Lift:
http://www.integrityhifi.ca/
paulf-2007
08-06-2017, 17:26
I thought the idea of playing vinyl was to listen to the music. I have always found I have to be there to hear it. Then when I can't hear anymore music I know it's finished and I remove the stylus from the record.
I recall a comment many years ago where a gentleman wrote, "When I'm too lazy to tell the wife to flip the record, I'll buy a CD player"
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