The Thiele TA01X Gold Zero Tracking Error Tonearm: Linearizing the Arc

Tonearms are mostly criminally neglected. Too often, the focus of manufacturers and, unfortunately, dealers as well, lies in promoting 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 rails—and if the cartridge needle does not always scan 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 looks sophisticated, it also solves the problems of conventional pivoted tonearms without "inheriting" the new problems of tangential tonearms. The inventor's genius makes analog music enjoyment absolutely perfect with 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 noble woods—a beautiful pivoted tonearm with zero tracking error, no ball bearings in the headshell, and only one tonearm tube. Such a well-thought-out and perfectly executed innovation is rare to find.

The Technology

The Thiele TA01X Gold combines the precise and rigid guidance of a pivoted tonearm with the advantages of a tangential tonearm—without the flaws of either. Ingeniously solved with kinematics in which a parallelogram of four relatively widely spaced pivot points serves as the central guidance element to control a single—naturally damped—9-inch tonearm tube. A maximum tracking error angle of 0.036 degrees? No normal 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 are not busy admiring the materials, the finish, and the manufacturing perfection of the TA01, you experience a distortion-free sonic purity that is simply astonishing.

Ideally Versatile

The silver version of the Thiele TA01 is standard-mounted on the reference turntable Thiele TT01. Alternatively, the TA01X Gold can be ordered. Naturally, the TA01X Gold also fits any turntable designed for 9- or 10-inch tonearms. With the included solid aluminum mounting aid, you can position the tonearm with absolute precision.

Technology for Great Sound

• Combination of pivoted tonearm 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
• Operating height of the tonearm lift continuously adjustable
• Tonearm can be locked in the rest position
• Connection terminal choice of:
  TM01: RCA jacks and 5-pin standard tonearm socket
  TM02: 3-pin XLR sockets

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

Verantwortliche Person:

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