The Reference model (along with the SQ variant) is an expression of everything
Frank Schroeder has learned about the Science and Art of making tonearms.
It is highly adjustable and comes in a variety of arm wand materials, ensuring perfect compatibility with
any phono cartridge.
Effective mass is tailored to your specifications - ranging from 5 to 50 grams, with wand lengths available
from 8.5" to 12"
It can be further customized with various finishing options, some of which are shown in the photo at the left.
Features
- Choice of arm wand materials and length (carbon fiber, jacaranda, tiger wood, ebony, bocote, etc.)
- Effective length from 8.5" to 12"
- Effective mass range 5 to 50 grams
- Fine knurled screw adjustment of VTF (vertical tracking force)
- Two cartridge carriers included (1-aluminum, 1-brass) - to adjust effective mass for extended cartridge
compatibility.
- Bearing Magnets: N-50 neodymium (stronger than DPS) resulting in a more authoritative presentation.
- Wiring - continuous run of proprietary solid-core copper from cartridge clips to male RCA Plugs.
See options, below.
- Termination - Eichman Bullet Plugs (male RCA) or optional female RCAs on hardwood mounting plate.
Options:
- Wiring - Nordost ($300). Standard version employs proprietary solid core copper.
Preliminary Setup for standard length tonearm (239 mm effective length)
The Reference and Reference SQ have an offset relationship between the arm mounting center and the
bearing pivot.
In order to set the "at rest" orientation of the tonearm, you must rotate the upper bearing assembly on the
post (loosening the lower set screw first).
Because of the offset bearing, this changes the pivot to spindle distance.
Similarly, rotating the armboard changes the pivot to spindle distance.
Balancing these two rotational adjustments to arrive at both an acceptable orientation and the correct
pivot to spindle distance requires a bit of trial and error.
The photo above is taken of a standard, 9" long (239mm effective length) Reference SQ tonearm. Note how
the left side of the arm wand is parallel to the left edge of the armboard.
Start with your tonearm in this orientation, and then set the pivot to spindle distance (222mm in this
example) by rotating the armboard.
You may then make fine adjustments in pivot to spindle distance by either rotating the armboard or the
tonearm about its post.
