The Agile tonearm comes from an ambitious undertaking: to create a high end tonearm which improves on all that came before it. To achieve this it would have to surpass tough competition from within our own ranks, that of the Enterprise.
To deliver this definitive performance we scrutinised every aspect of design — Design that has been world-leading before* and is now. The Agile has undergone lengthy experimentation to achieve the lowest resonance possible, with every component tested, redesigned and revised to bring you an arm that is truly capable of getting the best from your music.
The thing you first notice is a remarkable increase in definition and clarity. Singers are more tangible. Instruments have more texture. There is less overhang in the bass so the mid-range becomes even more transparent. We are happy to present a high-end tonearm to lead the market and to bring the original sound, that much closer to you.
Features:
Higher-strength, Low Resonance Arm Tube - The high-grade aircraft alloy tube is further stiffened with coatings and carbon fiber. The tube is also specially machined for improved resonance control. A long rear stub sleeve provides further reinforcement, and this is carefully interfaced to provide maximum energy dissipation and minimal reflections. This frees up your cartridge to perform as it should – away from the coloration and disruption caused by resonance and reflected vibration.
Sleeved Rear-Stub - is further strengthened over lower models by using superior material and processing. This improves counterweight stability in vibration – thus enabling the arm tube to hold the cartridge more steadily.
Rigidly Attached Counterweight - The counterweight attachment has been carefully engineered to hold the armtube more rigidly for cartridge stability whilst at the same time decoupling itself to minimize energy reflection back down the tube. The results are clearly heard in improved dynamics and a sense of power and control in the bass.
Low Resonance Counterweight - Counterweight resonance is reduced using a higher-grade material and then applying a dampening coating.
Counterweight Fine Adjuster - allows you to easily set the tracking force with a high degree of accuracy.
Headshell - features improved de-coupling and lightweight finger-lift.
Sophisticated Yoke Design - The Yoke provides stability for the arm tube because the mass in the right place enhances dynamics and bass performance. The Agile yoke provides rock-solid stability without energy reflection. To minimize resonance, it includes carefully machined cutouts.
Sophisticated Yoke Decoupling - with several additional isolation interfaces from the vertical bearings.
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 jeweled bearings which tend to shatter under stress. These dual pivots feature a more refined design than arms below the Enterprise which further improves de-coupling. The results are incredible transparency, fluidity and retrieval of fine detail.
Ceramic Bearings - For horizontal arm movement, the ball bearings are upgraded to highly specified ultra-low friction Ceramic bearings.
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 Adjustment
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 ultra-low loss Silver Hybrid version producing greater transparency, detail and freedom from artefacts.
Silver-plated Headshell Clips - At such low signal levels electrical interfaces can be heard and silver marginally outperforms gold.
Specifications:
- Effective Length: 239mm (Rega Mount)
- Overhang: 17.24mm
- Offset Angle: 22 degrees
- Mounting Distance (Platter Centre to Arm Hole Centre): 222mm
- Diameter of Mounting Hole: 23-24mm
- Size of Base Mounting Nut: 32mm across flats
- Maximum Armboard Thickness: 27mm
- Length of External Cable: 1m
- Capacitance and Resistance: 54pF 0.6ohm per channel
- 9.5” Counterweight Mass: 145gram (18mm x 40 dia)
- Effective Mass: 15.5gram
- Weight: 750gram
- Packed Weight: 2050gram
- Stylus Force Gauge: Yes
- Threaded VTA Adjuster: Built-In
