NEW PRODUCTION

ADiG · « **on:** 16 May 2013, 10:41 am »

In the Munich High End Show, presentation of new series of WTL Amadeus, A. GTA and Versalex equipped with new tonearm Symmetrex
The new series is called: MKII

Old series: Amadeus, Amadeus GTA and Versalex can be upgraded by changing the tube of tonearm

SteevA · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 May 2013, 04:36 am »

Good to see the wire exiting to the side at the back of the arm. This has been a problem with my ltd as the wire has partly worn through from contacting the cup edge. I look foraard to replacing it with this new one.

Steve

vortrex · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 May 2013, 05:04 am »

Getting rid of the two heavy pillars should help keep the right side from sagging.

ncblue · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 May 2013, 05:14 am »

Any price updates?

threadkiller · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 May 2013, 05:27 am »

IT'S AN ABOMINATION!
Marketing gone amuck!

I do believe, gents, I'll be sticking with my original, thank you very much.

Sign me, Duly Unimpressed....and slightly depressed...

threadkiller · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 May 2013, 05:31 am »

Forgot one... SYMMETREX?
Sounds like L Ron Hubbard wordage..or concrete bonding agent.

doak · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 May 2013, 06:01 am »

I do like the fact that there is one less mechanical connection between the cartridge and interconnects. Other than that this "upgrade" has me scratching my head.

Doak

ADiG · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 May 2013, 06:33 am »

Quote from: threadkiller on 18 May 2013, 05:27 am

IT'S AN ABOMINATION!
Marketing gone amuck!

I do believe, gents, I'll be sticking with my original, thank you very much.

Sign me, Duly Unimpressed....and slightly depressed...

do not lose heart, I believe that in the end, the difference between GTA and GTA MK II is just aesthetics. The principle of operation is identical. and then ... missing the mirror!

srb · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 May 2013, 07:31 am »

Quote from: threadkiller on 18 May 2013, 05:31 am

Forgot one... SYMMETREX?
Sounds like L Ron Hubbard wordage..or concrete bonding agent.

Actually the first thing I thought of was a drug.

Ask your doctor if Symmetrex is right for you.
"Symmetrex - making you better than you really are"

Possible side effects may include Depression, General Discomfort, Headaches, Blurred or Distorted Vision, Loss of Balance, Drymouth, Numbness, Periodontal Disease, Lockjaw, Tremors, Heart Palpitations, Varicose Veins, Liver Damage, Kidney Damage, Loss of Taste, Loss of Smell, Loss of Sight, Early Alzheimers, Cardiac Arrest, and in extremely rare cases....Death

Steve

SteevA · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 May 2013, 10:03 am »

The only difference between that arm and the current LTD arm is that they have replaced the top 1/2 of the golf ball with a metal casting and rotated the rear wire exit point 90º round the arm tube. So from my pov, having the current LTD, it is an improvement.

As for the naming, it seems bit daft but it doesnt trouble me at all.

Steve

roscoeiii · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 May 2013, 01:37 pm »

Before passing judgement, maybe listening to it and using it is in order?

rob400 · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 May 2013, 02:49 pm »

I hope Charlie is wrong and its more than just a marketing exercise. If it is then my guess is that the design change is linked to the aesthetic stigma associated with the golf ball. The arm wire now exiting from the side is obviously positive. However I will have to hear a sound improvement to part with 400 GBP to have my LTD brought up to spec....

roscoeiii · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 May 2013, 02:58 pm »

Some details here, which suggest an improvement due to a shifting of the pivot point relative to the center of gravity:

http://totallywired.co.nz/welltempered.html

roscoeiii · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 May 2013, 03:04 pm »

Boy look at those prices jump:

Simplex - NZ$2995 including arm and basic power supply. (=$2480 USD)
Amadeus MK2 - $3995 including new Symmetrex arm & power supply. (=$3310 USD)
Amadeus GTA - $5995 including LTD/Symmetrex arm & power supply. (=$4968 USD)
Versalex - $5995 including LT/Symmetrex D tone arm. (=$4948 USD)

Of course we will need to find out if the US pricing differs from the New Zealant pricing.

Price of progress I suppose.

threadkiller · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 May 2013, 03:06 pm »

Oh, I love to be wrong....
We'll see. It is retrofitable..if it does end up working/sounding better.
I don't mind at all if Firebaugh makes changes he thinks sounds better. When you think about it, it is still a fairly new product, and many designers make some initial changes.
But WTL marketers have had some bad ideas...so we'll see...

roscoeiii · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 May 2013, 03:08 pm »

Here's hoping some folks in this circle can demo the new arm from a dealer and report back.

roscoeiii · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 May 2013, 03:09 pm »

Oh, and I missed this:

Symmetrex upgrade for existing Amadeus & GT - NZ$500 (=$414 USD).

That's not so bad. Certainly seen worse...

SteveFord · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 May 2013, 03:41 pm »

It's certainly a more polished looking unit and the article states the technical reasons for the change.
It should be a good thing for the company.

rob400 · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 May 2013, 04:45 pm »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 18 May 2013, 03:08 pm

Here's hoping some folks in this circle can demo the new arm from a dealer and report back.

I plan to visit my dealers this week for a listen to the DPS so if he's got the Symmetrex mod fitted to his Versalex I will check it out and report back.

SteevA · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 May 2013, 07:54 pm »

Quote from: roscoeiii on 18 May 2013, 02:58 pm

Some details here, which suggest an improvement due to a shifting of the pivot point relative to the center of gravity:

http://totallywired.co.nz/welltempered.html

They made that change while still using a complete golf ball. I am not sure how many got out into the wild but I was supplied one as a replacement for my current arm. I never got round to using it before seeing some pictures of the new one and deciding to hold off for that, so dont know if the shift of the thread position makes any audable difference.

Steve