Encounter Tonearm Mk5

The Encounter arm introduces dual-pivot bearings to the Origin Live tonearm range. Dual Pivot bearings decouple the arm from its environment in a far more competent way than conventional bearings. The result is similar to Uni-pivot arms in terms of a natural fluid-like quality to the sound. However, this comes without the drawbacks of Uni-pivot arms – namely the fiddly setup, wobbly cueing and decrease in bass performance.

Dual Pivot bearings have the advantage of very low friction which helps give the encounter greater transparency and musicality than the Zephyr arm, allowing you to hear previously unnoticed details in your music. It’s also fast and enables musical rhythms to keep in time with one another. As with all our arms, tonal balance is neutral allowing it to work well in all types of systems.

Features

Yellow stars denote new features not present on lower models.

Arm Tube

is a high-grade aircraft alloy t0 reduce the effect of resonance. This has the enormous benefit of allowing your cartridge to function correctly without unwanted movements caused by resonance.

High Strength Rear-stub

improves counterweight stability in vibration – thus enabling the arm tube to hold the cartridge more steadily.

Headshell

features improved de-coupling and lightweight finger-lift.

Dual Pivot Bearings

For vertical arm movement, the bearings consist of Ultra-hard tungsten carbide points sitting in hardened and burnished steel cups. This combination not only delivers incredibly low friction levels but is also much more robust than jewelled bearings which tend to shatter under stress. The results are incredible transparency, fluidity and retrieval of fine detail.

Precise & Accessible VTA Adjuster

VTA can be adjusted precisely and infinitely using a large diameter calibrated dial. A further advantage is that all adjustments can be carried out above the arm-board (unlike lower arms in the range which demand access below the arm-board).

Azimuth Adjuster

Falling Weight Side Bias

Tests show this to be the highest performing method of achieving side bias. It has lower friction, better constant force and lower resonance than other alternatives such as magnets, springs, levers and twisted threads.

Internal Wiring

is high-grade copper Litz wire, cryogenically frozen to reduce discontinuities in the conductors. This wire allows great transparency, detail and freedom from artefacts.

1m Upgrade External Cable

(6mm diameter) Low resistance cable with high conductivity Gold Plated RCA plugs to fit directly into your phono-stage or amplifier.

Awards

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.”
— Read the full review >
Stereo Times

“It says volumes for the excellence of this arm that it could put two such different pickups through their paces so even-handedly.”
The Absolute Sound, Editors Choice Award 2012

“In the Origin Live rig, it was warm, boisterous, fast, big and ballsy with tone that could only be described as lush and gorgeously vibrant. It was shockingly good on anything with brass with gobs of realistic bite to trumpets, trombones and the like”
— Read the full review >
Tone Audio

“If ever there was a case of swings and roundabouts within hardware comparison then the tonal differences between the 9.5” and 12” versions of the Encounter 3c was it. The 9.5” walked a lighter step. It produced finesse and style with fine detailing highlighting a star clarity.”
— Read the full review >
Paul Rigby

“Sounds like nothing that I have heard or owned before. The tonal quality is accurate and clear, bass notes have no overhang. The arm is astonishingly transparent and neutral.”
—Read more owner comments >
Derek Abrahams