TRI-PLANAR II PRECISION TONEARM

Pre owned. Comes with original packaging, accessories, and manual.

The Tri-Planar represents one of the most refined and complex tonearms ever made, resulting from a rare combination of precision engineering and artistic sensibility. Originally designed by Herb Papier in the late 1960s and now produced by Dung Tri Mai, a sculptor and craftsman with a background in high-end electronics, the arm is engineered to provide absolute tracking control and exceptionally transparent and realistic musical reproduction. Its unique dual-pivot system ensures stability and smooth movement, minimizing sonic coloration and allowing the music to unfold with full dynamics and delicacy.

The structure of the Tri-Planar is conceived as a true audio exoskeleton: all its functional components are visible, like a mechanical sculpture revealing the engineering within. Every element—from the arm tube to the headshell, from the gimbal to the VTA tower—is crafted with extremely tight tolerances and meticulous attention to materials. The arm tube, built with a double internal section and interposed damping material, suppresses resonances down to 8 Hz, while the bearing, made of a high-hardness alloy, offers precision to within a ten-thousandth of an inch.

The tonearm stands out for its modularity: the two main sections—the arm tube/headshell assembly and the rear section containing counterweights, gimbal, and adjustment tower—are connected by a solid machined aluminum yoke that also serves as the azimuth adjustment mechanism. All key parameters, from VTA to tracking force, can be calibrated with millimeter precision, and up to five counterweights can be arranged in various configurations to suit any phono cartridge.

Setup is surprisingly straightforward: cartridge alignment is facilitated by a precision jig and ergonomic clips, while height adjustment is made via a graduated vernier, allowing exact repeatable positioning. Despite its complexity, daily use is simple and intuitive, and every action—from cueing to fine adjustment—feels like operating a precision instrument rather than a hi-fi accessory.

Sonically, the Tri-Planar delivers a wide and coherent soundstage, accurately conveying the physical presence of performers and unifying all musical elements into a natural, continuous flow. Its tonal signature is that of an “invisible” arm, free from coloration, letting the music emerge in its purest form. It combines technical rigor with aesthetic beauty, designed by an artist for those who see analog listening as both an aesthetic and technical experience.

Technical specifications:

• Avionic gimbal bearing design for maximum precision of movement
• Effective length 250 mm (9.8"); pivot-to-spindle distance 233.5 mm; overhang 16.5 mm; offset angle 22°
• High-purity copper internal wiring for linear and transparent signal transmission
• Adjustable Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA); adjustable azimuth for optimal cartridge alignment
• Damped headshell and composite wand with coaxial damping for resonance control
• Clamping yoke connecting arm tube to bearing tube
• Silicone-fluid damping trough with adjustable dip stick for dynamic resistance
• Hardened and polished needle cones; bearings at record height for stability and accurate tracking
• Progressive anti-skating system and decoupled counterweights for precise cartridge balancing
• Easy 3-screw installation, no large VTA holes required
• Available in black or silver finishes
• Effective mass: 11 g