The Thiele TA01 Zero Tracking Error Tonearm: Linearizing the Arc

Tonearms are often criminally neglected. Too frequently, the focus of manufacturers—and unfortunately, dealers as well—is on touting the turntable and the cartridge as the most important components. Sure, both must perform at their best. But what is the use of all that if the arm does not guide the cartridge strictly—if resonances and friction occur in bearings or tracks—and if the cartridge's stylus does not always trace the groove at exactly the right angle?

Helmut Thiele, a veteran of German analog audio development, has the answer to every question that can arise regarding tonearms: The Thiele TA01 is not only elegant and refined in appearance, but it also solves the problems of conventional pivoted tonearms without "catching" the new problems of tangential tonearms. The genius of the inventor makes analog music enjoyment absolutely perfect through unique innovation and the highest quality materials: The Thiele TA01 is a true engineering masterpiece whose appearance and operation alone release endorphins. Finely satin-finished metal and precious woods—a beautiful pivoted tonearm with zero tracking error, no ball bearings in the headshell, and only a single tonearm tube. Such a well-conceived and perfectly executed innovation is rare.

The Technology

The Thiele TA01 combines the precise and rigid guidance of a pivoted tonearm with the advantages of a tangential tonearm—without the flaws of either. It is brilliantly solved using a kinematic system in which a parallelogram consisting of four relatively widely spaced pivot points acts as a central guidance element to control a single—naturally damped—9-inch tonearm tube. A maximum tracking error of 0.036 degrees? No standard pivoted tonearm can do that.

The tonearm tube is double-walled and filled with a two-component gel. The extreme rigidity and simultaneously high internal damping of the tube result in a uniquely spatial resolution, extreme richness of detail, and perfect tonality without any interference, "jitter," or artificial character. So, when you aren't admiring the materials, finish, and perfection of the TA01's construction, you experience a distortion-free purity of sound that is astonishing.

Ideally Versatile

The Thiele TA01 comes standard on the Thiele TT01 reference turntable, but also fits any turntable designed for conventional 9- or 10-inch tonearms. With the included solid aluminum mounting jig, you can position the TA01 with absolute precision.

Technology for Great Sound

• Combination of pivoted and tangential tonearm
• Double-walled carbon fiber tonearm tube, gel-damped
• Ebony headshell (damped)
• Ebony counterweight (damped)
• VTA continuously adjustable, possible during playback
• Azimuth adjustable
• Working height of the tonearm lift continuously adjustable
• Tonearm can be locked in the rest position
• Connection terminal options:
  TM01: RCA jacks and 5-pin standard tonearm socket
  TM02: 3-pin XLR jacks

-Mounting distance 240mm
-Required area for tonearm base approx. 112mm x 80mm
-Minimum height between armboard and platter: 30mm
-VTA adjustment at the tonearm base 10mm
-Azimuth adjustment at the headshell
-Maximum tracking error angle: 0.036°
-Effective mass: approx. 14g
-Recommended needle compliance: (m/mN) ~20
-Compatible with cartridges from 4g - 12g, with additional weight up to 20g
-Wiring: Zavfino Solid Pure Silver 34 AWG
-Weight: 800g

Herstellerangaben:

Helmut Thiele
Dr. Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 52
47228 , Duisburg
Germany
info@helmut-thiele.com

Verantwortliche Person:

ATR – Audio Trade HiFi – Sales Company LLC
2 Wallufer Strasse
65343 , Eltville am Rhein
Germany
thiele@audiotra.de