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THE THOMAS SCHICK TONEARM
Thomas Schick listens to a Klangfilm horn system with tube amplification and uses idler wheel or direct drive broadcast tables (Garrard 301, Orpheus Silex, Technics SP10.)
He developed his tonearm to meet a very specific need- he wanted an arm for classic heavy, low compliance cartridges like the Ortofon SPU, Denon 103, but with modern high quality bearings. People who use such classic cartridges have been forced to buy vintage tonearms, such as the Ortofons and the SME 3012, amongst others. Such vintage arms are often heavily worn. Even with examples still new in the box (a rarity, to say the least) these arms do not possess bearings in the same class as those available to high tech industry today. By using super close tolerance (zero micron positive, 7 micron negative) high tech bearings designed for continuous use at 100,000 rpm, the Schick arm is in another class from its ancestors.
Garrard 301 with Schick tonearm Another inspiration for Thomas was the Neumann tonearm created for checking masters discs on the famous Neumann cutting lathe, still considered the finest ever made. Mastering engineers have even bought Thomas' arm to use on the Neumann lathe.
The Schick arm is also remarkably similar in appearance to the tonearm on the legendary Telefunken PS80 direct drive broadcast table which can be seen at Stefano Pasini's site.
You may wonder about the lack of the usual complicated looking stuff on the Schick arm. For example, there is no provision for anti skating, and the reason is simple- none is necessary on an arm of this length. You can verify that a number of ways, one of which is to look at other transcription arms that accompanied classic broadcast decks- there is never an antiskate. The Schick arm is really designed for using heavy cartridges, meaning those with VTF of at least two grams, and that also mitigates the need for antiskate. Thomas is currently working on a 9 inch version of his arm, and that will most definitely employ antiskating.
The Schick tonearm is really a 16" broadcast arm. The pivot to spindle distance is exactly 12". It comes in two versions, one shorter for the universal headshell or SPU G type, and one longer for the SPU A type square headshell. The armtube is aluminum, damped internally with a combination of materials. Thomas selected the material and damping methods for the arm by using his ears and doing many listening tests. Not by using a Cray Supercomputer- this is Old School. The rest of the arm is solid machined brass. A high quality arm lift in included, and VTA is adjustable via allen screws. The arm is terminated in a DIN connection.
Click here for schematics for the Schick tonearm.
Price ex shipping $1250 as of January 1, 2008.
Wire option upgrade available with flying leads terminating in Eichmann plugs instead of DIN connector- $400
The Schick tonearm is available in North America exclusively through Oswaldsmillaudio.
Photos © Cynthia van Elk
