Uni-Pivot tonearms?

[SteveH1960]

I’ve just bought one of these off eBay, lovely well made piece of kit, the attention to detail is excellent. I set it up in about an hour. Compared to the modded Rega RB250 I was using before, there is a lot more air around the instruments and vocals, larger soundstage and greater clarity.
I’m very impressed with my first foray in to the wobbly world of the Uni.

Any other fans?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210401/bbe93ba6ce4b7d8e26c0ba3cf15b7443.jpg


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[Barry]

It's not an arm I have see before - who is the manufacturer?

[Smegger68]

That's an Andy McNally special. See his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/northhillaudio

[paulf-2007]

Yep love ‘em. Have a copy of a Wilson Benesch unipivot but made from rosewood that I am not using right now. Have made two other unipivots, one I made from an oak drumstick I cut in half and routed a groove for the cable. Glued together and made the rest from brass, the other I turned on the lathe from rosewood. Very good results from them both. The pivots I made from a steel spike pivoting on a watch/clock jewel. I now use a stax UA-70 that is a kind of unipivot that I cannot describe as I wouldn’t dare to take it apart to find out

[SteveH1960]

That’s the very fellow, Andy is a great chap and the arm is outstanding, it’s made the VM-750SH sing, detail is up a notch, next I’ll try my MC carts. The brass collar allows for mass to be altered to suit MC or MM.


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[SteveH1960]

Yep love ‘em. Have a copy of a Wilson Benesch unipivot but made from rosewood that I am not using right now. Have made two other unipivots, one I made from an oak drumstick I cut in half and routed a groove for the cable. Glued together and made the rest from brass, the other I turned on the lathe from rosewood. Very good results from them both. The pivots I made from a steel spike pivoting on a watch/clock jewel. I now use a stax UA-70 that is a kind of unipivot that I cannot describe as I wouldn’t dare to take it apart to find out

They’re interesting things, might have a go at making one myself, but for £300 not sure it’s worth the time?


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[paulf-2007]

They’re interesting things, might have a go at making one myself, but for £300 not sure it’s worth the time?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalkit doesn’t have to cost that much, more about having the time.

[SteveH1960]

Just a question to you chaps. My new tonearm has a sliding weight on the arm wand, to make it “variable mass”?
It’s great with MM, it put my VM-750 up a notch.
I then tried a Koetsu Black which while sounded great, it didn’t have the impact of the 750, is this because of the tonearm mass?


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[walpurgis]

I then tried a Koetsu Black which while sounded great, it didn’t have the impact of the 750, is this because of the tonearm mass?

One way to find out would be to temporarily add a decent lump of BluTak to the top of the headshell and rebalance the arm. If it sounds beefier, you have your answer. A headshell weight can then be considered.

[SteveH1960]

One way to find out would be to temporarily add a decent lump of BluTak to the top of the headshell and rebalance the arm. If it sounds beefier, you have your answer. A headshell weight can then be considered.

I’ll give it a go, thanks.


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[Batty]

I have a Hadcock GH228 for my LP12, cart is V15 type III.

[Jimbo]

Your description of the Andy McNally Unipivot sounds similar to the presentation I get from my VPI 9T Unipivot. Lots of air, space and big soundstage.

Interestingly VPI sells both Unipivot and Gimbal bearing tonearms but I believe the Unipivots sound better but are not favoured by a lot of folk due to their wobbly nature!

[SteveH1960]

Your description of the Andy McNally Unipivot sounds similar to the presentation I get from my VPI 9T Unipivot. Lots of air, space and big soundstage.

Interestingly VPI sells both Unipivot and Gimbal bearing tonearms but I believe the Unipivots sound better but are not favoured by a lot of folk due to their wobbly nature!

They’re a bit scary at first, wobbling about and the fact there’s no real resistance when I lift it up except for vtf. I’ve put my VM-750 back on, definitely better with MM carts. I was going to buy another for my new TT project, but I’ll put my Audiomods V on that.


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[speedracer]

I spotted that same on ebay last week & asked the seller some questions, but he hasn't got back to me yet. I specifically asked what range you could vary the effective mass as it isn't mentioned in the listing.
I also thought that the idea of it being variable mass meant you don't have to faff about adding weight to the headshell or anywhere, is that thought incorrect?

[Light Capture]

That's a nice looking tonearm. I have a Thoren's TD203 turntable with their TP-82 unipivot arm. I like the sound of unipivot arms too. The're clear and detailed with nice PRaT. I don't find it wobbly, only slight movement that settles down as soon as it hits the groves.

[Alex66]

I have made one using an oak pole, a ballpoint pen knib and a receptical, it is realy surprising how something that costs less than a fiver per unit to make sounds. It leaves the Pro-ject, Linn Basik and old Rega 250? for dead with a far more precise sound stage and far greater detail, all using the same set of cartridges.

[SteveH1960]

I thought I’d add an update now I’ve had a bit of time with the Uni, it still has that open airy presentation, soundstage is huge. It definitely seems better with my MM cartridge, but also with my Benz Micro Glider SL it’s excellent with the variable mass weight up at the cartridge end(midway for the MM). It doesn’t get on with my Koetsu Black, not sure why??
All in all an excellent tonearm, definitely a keeper.


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[paulf-2007]

I have made one using an oak pole, a ballpoint pen knib and a receptical, it is realy surprising how something that costs less than a fiver per unit to make sounds. It leaves the Pro-ject, Linn Basik and old Rega 250? for dead with a far more precise sound stage and far greater detail, all using the same set of cartridges.
I used an oak drumstick and clock jewel with a sharp point. As good as they get

[SteveH1960]

I used an oak drumstick and clock jewel with a sharp point. As good as they get

Brilliant!!!


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