New Plinth with 1 or 2 tonearms?

[Ki Choi]

If you were to build a new plinth for your turntable, how many tonearms will it support?

I have a plinth with two tonearms but it is so big... it is difficult to find a rack with big enough top shelf.

On the other hand, as a fickle audio gearhead, if I were to get a plinth build... someday I might need to sell it to get something different. Then having a plinth that supports two tonearms might be more interesting to the next person.

[rockitman]

two...one for my stereo cart of choice and one for a mono cart/arm, if you have a mono record collection.

[Johnny Vinyl]

It always seemed to me like an accident waiting to happen.

[Bruce B]

There are plenty of racks with a large top shelf to fit the VPI TNT size. I'd definitely want 2 tone arms, one stereo, the other mono. Most phono amps come with 2-3 inputs anyway!

[MylesBAstor]

I'm in a special situation. I WANT a table that can handle three arms. Those three arm positions must be identical in mounting however and that's where some tables fall short. Ken's table can handle three arms easily. I think the AF accommodates two and the mounting is identical.

But then you want a phonostage with three inputs right?

Two arms so I can set up two cartridges essentially side by side for review, adjust the SRA and not have to remember where I set it when switching arm wands. Then a third position for any arm that might come in for review.

I understand the mono thing but my records start with the stereo era.

It might be interesting to have a separate thread listing the tables that can really handle (not some klugey setup) more than one arm.

[nc42acc]

Myles why would the arm mounting positions be different on a table that was designed to accommodate two arms? I have seen tables with adjustable mounting points that I am assuming is to adjust for arm lengths?

[MylesBAstor]

One example is the VPI TNT, HRX or Classic series. Yes they can take two arms but the "back" mounting is not the same as the side arm mount.

[nc42acc]

Myles please clarify the mounting point not being the same. Thanks

[mep]

Some tables don't have identical geometry for two arms. For example, on one mount you maybe able to install a 12" arm and on the other mount only a 9" arm.

[nc42acc]

Thanks Mark for the explanation. Myles I didn't know you could install two arms on a VPI classic series table? I have heard VPI is working on a second arm mounting for the Prime.

[MylesBAstor]

Some tables don't have identical geometry for two arms. For example, on one mount you maybe able to install a 12" arm and on the other mount only a 9" arm.

That is exactly what I saw on the early VPI Classic tables. One 12-inch and one 10-inch arm. That's why in part the back mounting isn't optimal even on the TNT. The Avenger is another story. It's built from the start to accommodate three arms.

[JackD201]

Two max for me. When I had 4 at one time as Johnny says, it felt like an accident waiting to happen. Left and front right positions were very awkward for me. A different story if my table was on a rack I could walk around but that was not the case.

[MylesBAstor]

Two max for me. When I had 4 at one time as Johnny says, it felt like an accident waiting to happen. Left and front right positions were very awkward for me. A different story if my table was on a rack I could walk around but that was not the case.

What table did you have four arms on?

[JackD201]

My AC-3 Myles. I had a TW, two B-44s and a TriPlanar on it.

I like the TW a lot. I put it up for sale but withdrew a few days after. I decided to keep it for a second system for a vacation house I'm planning. Does the AF1 do things it can't? Sure BUT that doesn't take away from the fact that the TW is every bit todays as the day I bought it. A very capable table that is for me first and foremost musically engaging especially with classical music.

[Garth]

My table will take 4 arms after this many years and I count up the number of arms it comes to ONE. Just lazy I guess so one Tri Planar thats it. And a SME V in the back room on a SOTA