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Product Description

This tonearm sounds astonishing, compared to Origin Live arms further down the range, and its commercial rivals. The ground-breaking design, and meticulous attention to detail results most noticably in an improvement of bass performance. However as always, when you go higher in the Origin Live range, every other aspect improves, notably definition, deep powerfull bass, transparency and dynamics.

The result is a tonearm that has been widely acclaimed as a performance benchmark. Both reviewers and enthusiasts love the Illustrious for its outstanding bass power, superb dynamics and consummate musicality. It has supreme transparency too, allowing the finest cartridges to be used. Few designs better this brilliant device.

Features

  • Hybrid arm tube, composed of 5 materials for superb energy dissipation
  • Ultra low friction dual-pivot bearings for sweet, precise treble performance
  • Dual-Pivot floating vertical bearings decouple the armtube from the deck, reducing coloration
  • Higher mass Yoke than the Encounter results in a high definition tagible sound, particularly in the bass
  • High strength aircraft alloy headshell for increased dynamics
  • Superb quality copper conductor plugs eliminate signal degradation
  • Integral VTA adjustment

Now in MK4 version, the arm looks similar to the previous MK3C but MK4 arms are easily identified by a slot in the rear stub for the counterweight clamp bolt. Another visual differences includes a more stylish slanted arm clip.

The MK4 version represents a major leap forward in performance through a stiffer arm tube. It also introduces a number of improved decoupling devices within the armtube itself. This included a new interface with the counterweight which is attached differently. These new features result in significant improvements to: definition, transient speed, dynamics, separation, timing and overall musicality to name but a few.

Each tonearm in the Origin Live range shares important features outlined below. Higher models are differentiated by refinement, increasingly costly materials, components and advanced engineering. Differences between various models are highlighted on the specific page allocated for each arm. You can also compare features on the Specifications page.

High Strength Alloys and Carbon Fibre Components
Your cartridge needs to be held with rock like solidity if it is to accurately extract the microscopic information contained within your record grooves. In strategic components rigidity is essential to reduce microscopic bending and give in the tonearm structure. The exact reasons why this is so critical go far beyond superficial explanations such as reducing movement or resonance. The truth is little understood and would require a book to explain due to technical complexities.

Soft alloy castings and carbon fiber tubes (using fishing rod technology) are commonly used in tonearms but are wholly inadequate for high grade performance. Origin Live arms avoid these cheap alternatives and as you might expect the music benefits immensely from the improved rigidity. Gone is the soft, woolly, haziness and muddle that so many arms are responsible for producing. Instead notes have greater impact, dynamics, speed. This gives their arms their outstanding reputation for realism.

High Grade Materials for Turntables Tonearm
The nature of mechanical playback means that every material chosen plays a role in performance. Specifications and theory can only play a limited role here. If pure measurements were the answer, you could use a computer to judge the talent of singers on shows like the Voice or the X-factor. The problem is that any measurement system can only measure what its programmed to. Understanding the physics of what makes one voice more preferable to another would probably take more than a lifetime. For this reason Origin Live conduct hundreds of listening tests to determine the best choices.

Origin Live pay obsessive attention to the types of material used throughout the construction of turntables. This is one reason their Platter Mat (offered as an accessory) upgrades 99% of turntables on the market. The same is true for their turntable belts and oil, both of which receive remarkable reviews from satisfied clients. These may seem trivial examples but they indicate a fanatical thoroughness in research that extends to much more important areas in their turntables.

Technical Specifications

Origin Live 9.5 (239mm) Standard Tonearm Specifications (same as Rega Geometry)

Origin Live 9 inch (229mm) MK4 Tonearms with Linn Geometry

Origin Live 10 inch (254mm) MK4 Tonearms

Origin Live 12 inch (309mm) MK4 Tonearms

Manufacturer Site

Specifications

Brand
Origin Live
Condition
New
Product Code
ORIGIN-ILLUSTRIOUS

Delivery Information

Delivery is free for all orders over £250.

'In Stock' items ordered before 1pm will be dispatched the same day.

We use DPD Local 'Next Day Service' for most UK deliveries. Orders sent via 'DPD Local - Next Day Service' will be fully tracked with a 1-hour delivery timeslot on the day of delivery. Standard delivery is Monday to Friday.

Saturday delivery can be selected at checkout for £19.95.

Small items and LP's may be sent using Royal Mail.

Large/heavy items may be sent using TNT Express.

For all other countries please visit the 'Delivery Information' link in the footer.

Occasionally, due to stock demand, we can sell out. If this occurs when you make a purchase, we will inform you quickly. Most out of stock items are available for dispatch within 3 working days. If your purchase is urgent, please contact us to check availability.

2 Customer Reviews

Origin Live Illustrious Mk4

Item in Stock

Product Code ORIGIN-ILLUSTRIOUS

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Customer Reviews