"A new benchmark for musical communication, natural detail and timbral truth. All at a price that, considering the quality of its performance, can only be called a bargain."

-Stereo Times Magazine

"One of the truly special products I’ve reviewed in the past 18 years....Overall the Encounter’s look, feel and fit’n finish are exceptionally high for it’s modest price of $1495"

-Stereophile

The Encounter arm builds on the outstanding performance of the Silver by improving the design and quality of all components. This is not just a development - it is a complete redesign.

The entire yoke and base are different from the Silver tonearm. These structures, contain the horizontal and vertical bearings and are therefore highly influential on sound quality. The upgrade in design manifests itself in outstanding deep bass along with increased focus, stability and resolution through all frequencies. The tight and powerful bass carries the hallmark of authority and adds so much to the musical experience. In addition the arm dramatically improves the great transparency, tonal balance and sound-staging of the Silver arm. It produces a wonderful "live" feel to the music, with fabulous transient speed and "air". The Encounter arm is outstanding.

£1345

12" Version £1755

Features & Specification

The Encounter builds on the specifications of the Silver in the following respects:
- Completley revised yoke with higher rigidity and inertia.
- Dual pivot bearing Dual pivot explained
- Improved materials and bearing decoupling in arm pillar and yoke.
- Integral VTA adjuster.
- Stylish arm rest plate

Options

VTA Adjusters

All MK3 arms from Encounter upwards have integral VTA adjustment and do not require VTA adjusters. more info

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Universal threaded VTA Adjuster more info	25.50	21.25
Sliding VTA Adjuster* more info	49	40.83
Rega VTA Adjuster more info	12.25	10.21

*Rega threaded bases included on all MK1 & MK2 arms from Silver upwards.

Stylus Force Gauges more info

All prices quoted in GBP	UK Retail	Export Retail
Ortofon Stylus Force Gauge (included on all arms from Encounter upward)	8.17	6.81
Digital Stylus Force Gauge	58.21	48.51
Cartridge Man Digital Force Gauge	203.23	169.36

Cartridge Man Isolator (for tonearm / cartridge interface) more info

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Cartridge man isolator for moving magnet cartridges	86.81	72.34
Cartridge man isolator for moving coil cartridges	86.81	72.34

Armboard & Adaptors

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Technics Armboard more info	46	38.33

SME Adaptor more info	49	39.20
LP12 Armboard more info	27.50	22.92

Connectors

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Cardas 5 din pin Male Arm external connector in base of arm	25.50	21.25
Cardas 5 din pin Female Connector on external cable for base of arm	46	38.33
XLR Termination High Grade Balanced XLR plugs & Cable for OL & Rega arms	25.50	21.25
BNC plugs on external cable For Naim amps	25.50	21.25

Upgrade Cables

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Burn in Cable for arms	15.30	12.75
Linear flow 2 external cable (included as standard on Conqueror & Enterprise.)	388	323.33

Counterweights

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Optional Counterweights (Not compatible with Enterprise)
Light counterweight 11mm thick	46	38.33
Medium counterweight 13mm thick	46	38.33
Medium counterweight 16mm thick	46	38.33
Heavy counterweight 20mm thick	46	38.33
Counterweights with fine adjusters (Not compatible with Enterprise)
Medium Counterweight 13mm thick with Fine adjuster weight	66.50	55.42
Medium Counterweight 16mm thick with Fine adjuster weight	66.50	55.42
Heavy Counterweight 20mm thick with Fine adjuster weight	66.50	55.42
Enterprise Only Counterweights
Medium Counterweight 16mm	56	46.67
Medium Counterweight 16mm thick with Fine adjuster weight	76.50	63.75
Heavy Counterweight 20mm	56	46.67
Heavy Counterweight 20mm thick with Fine adjuster weight	76.50	63.75

Tonearm Spares

	UK Retail	Export Retail
Arm clip	26.00	21.45
Large base nut	12.00	9.90
Cork washer	5.00	4.13
Side bias rod	3.00	2.48
Side bias loop	9.00	7.43
Side bias weight and thread	35.75	29.50
Lift lower device	47.00	38.78

Reviews

"A new benchmark for musical communication, natural detail and timbral truth. All at a price that, considering the quality of its performance, can only be called a bargain."
-Stereo Times Magazine
"Preference Audio used this arm at a large show in Vienna and were awarded "the best sound at the show award". The decision was made using voting forms handed out by the show organisers to all members of the public attending the show. Against very stiff competition such as Linn, JM labs, Kronos, Audio Physics etc this vote says a great deal."
-Vienna Show
“I have owned about 60 different tonearms so far, including Immedia, Wheaton, SME V, Forsell, Mission Mechanic, Linn Ekos, Naim Aro, the above mentioned Audio Note and many others. And what counts more: it [the Encounter] is the best conventional (gimballed) one in that classs, and the best UK tonearm, too......At it’s price point I consider the Origin Live a best buy”
-TNT Audio
"One of the truly special products I’ve reviewed in the past 18 years....Overall the Encounter’s look, feel and fit’n finish are exceptionally high for it’s modest price of $1495"
-Stereophile
"There’s a lovely airy quality about the treble. It’s very clean too....The bottom end is tight and clean. Low frequencies ...when they’re present, boy are they present... A gorgeous tonearm"
-Hi Fi+
Owner Comments