In our research to develop the GrooveMaster tonearm, we kept a few things in mind: How were classic tonearms designed? How did they determine what improvements were needed? Were those improvements successful? What measurements did the engineers make? Did they limit themselves due to materials? Did they limit themselves based on manufacturing technologies available in the '50s? All analog equipment is built on the backs of giants. Most lessons have already been learned by the great engineers of the past, though many of those lessons are forgotten with time and "new technology". In the 21st century, some things can be done faster, much more accurately, using better machine tools, on higher grade materials. With this in mind, and many hours of building, tweaking, listening, redesign, and more listening, the Audio Creative GrooveMaster tonearm was born.

GrooveMaster 4: the Ultimate Reference Tonearm

The GrooveMaster 4 is a further development and optimization of the GrooveMaster 3 tonearm. With the GrooveMaster 4, we checked all points and improved them where possible. This resulted in a tone arm made entirely of stainless steel, gun metal brass and titanium. All materials have the property that they minimize their own resonances resulting in an ultra quiet tonearm with very low resonance.

DESIGN

The genesis of the GrooveMaster tonearm lies in the 1950’s. In those days, high quality playback equipment was needed for mastering engineers, recording studios, music executives, broadcast networks, and wealthy connoisseurs.

This equipment was meant to last a lifetime, and and was built with little regard for expense. The GrooveMaster 4 is developed according to the same standards as these classics.

CHOICE OF MATERIAL

The use a combination of different high-quality materials, such as stainless and brass, reduces micro resonances, resulting in a cleaner sound reproduction. The high mass of the GrooveMster 4 contributes to a very stable musical foundation. The GrooveMaster 4 weighs a remarkable 948 grams! Despite its high weight, the GrooveMaster 4 can make cartridges sing with relatively high compliancy up to 25 µm/mN.

With its combination of innovative engineering, superior materials, and user-friendly design, the grooveMaster 4 tonearm sets itself apart as a truly remarkable and high-performing audio tonearm.

BEARING

The choice of horizontal and vertical bearings is essential. We use half ceramic bearings with a very close tolerance of ABEC7 for this purpose. The bearings are oil-free and therefore require no maintenance and provide a lifetime of operation. Because of the high quality bearings with a very low friction, the effective mass of the tonearm is less important. The GrooveMaster 4 can easily accept higher compliance cartridges up to 25 µm/mN.

WIRING & CONNECTORS

Ultra-thin (38 AWG) pure (99.999%) silver was chosen for wiring the GrooveMaster tone arm to achieve a low as possible friction on the bearings. All connectors are custom made and the signal carrying parts (headshell connector and tonearm connectors) are made of pure copper with a high conductivity (> 95 % IACS). Unique to the GrooveMaster is that all signal carrying parts are cryogenic treated.

What makes the GrooveMaster outstanding ?

We developed the GrooveMaster 4 with one goal in mind: the ultimate tonearm in music reproduction. Listening to vinyl with the GrooveMaster 4 is not only listening to your favorite music on vinyl, but gives also the ultimate music experience as the musician intended.

Precision Engineering

The GrooveMaster tonearm stands out as an exceptional design due to several key features. Its meticulous engineering ensures perfect tracking, minimizing distortion and maximizing audio accuracy. The tonearm's precise balance allows for seamless tracking across the record, maintaining consistent playback.

Counterweight

The use of high-quality materials reduces resonance, resulting in a cleaner sound reproduction. With its combination of innovative engineering, Superior materials, and user-friendly design, the grooveMaster 4 tonearm sets itself apart as a truly remarkable and high-performing audio tonearm. The counterweight is very precise and VTF can be set at 0.01 grams

Magnetic Anti Skating

Contactless magnetic anti-skating was chosen for the anti-skating properties. With a newly designed anti-skating mechanism the anti skating can be precisely adjusted in relation to the VTF.

Wiring & Connectors

Ultra-thin pure (99.999%) silver was chosen for wiring the GrooveMaster tone arm. We chose the tonearm wiring of the GrooveMaster II after much testing and listening. This cable is ultra thin (0.1 mm./ 38 AWG) and extremely flexible so it does not put any stress or force on the very precise bearings of the GrooveMaster. The connectors are custom made and the signal carrying parts (headshell connector and tonearm connector) are made of pure copper. Unique to the GrooveMaster is that all signal carrying parts are cryogenic treated.