Best Tonearm Lifter?

[johnyradio]

Anyone tried any of these?
(Some/all have youtube videos)

Q Up. Seems chintzy:
https://www.amazon.com/Q-UP-The-Up-Tone ... =UTF8&qi...

Expressimo. Michael Fremer supposedly likes this one. The lift seems a bit too strong:
https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-acce ... arm-lifter

WannaStore:
https://www.amazon.com/Tonearm-Lifter-R ... ronics&a...

No-name:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/AUDIO-Vinyl-SA ... 6006/253...

Douk/Amari:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Douk-Audio-Aut ... Vinyl-Re...

The Levitator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeQYPlFSNYs

Stylift:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDWeFa69rJs

DIY build your own?


Rejected cuz too expensive (over $100):

- Little Fwend: https://www.musicdirect.com/analog-accessories/little-fwend-tonearm-lifter-high

- Audio Technica AT-6006: https://www.ebay.com/i/253280769447

[smee4]

I have one identical it seems, to the Stylift. Very reliable. The Expressimo seems very similar.

[johnyradio]

awesome!
with which turntable?

[smee4]

awesome!
with which turntable?

I actually tried it on a couple, but is currently on my big idler - a Peak/CEC FR-250 with SME3009 tonearm

[KentT]

None of the above. When I want automatic lift, that's a good reason why I keep an automatic or semi automatic turntable of better quality around. I use the automatic or semi automatic for casual play. Sometimes two turntables make sense.

[Spencer58]

I'm looking at them too. The Little Fwend looks the best according to reviews, but it's big $$$. The Tru-Lift from Integrity Audio in Canada looks good for $209 (Canadian?), but it seems like the dealers are selling it as a VPI for $259. I'd say forget about the Q-up or the older AT lifter. Maybe the Levitator is the one to try, but would be better with damping. Then there's always this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ2BCRPgDYg

[Vinylfreak86]

Instead of some automatic lifters at the end of the record, I need a tonearm lifter to put the tonearm down on the record, because the one mounted on a turntable is useless for this.

[Spencer58]

You mean like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmVBZFXyTwI

[Legrace]

On one of my tables using the 2nd one (Expressimo) on your list. Handy device which works reliably.

[Spencer58]

Is there much of a shock to your tone arm when the Expressimo hits it? It seems like the damped ones would be a bit kinder.

[Legrace]

Is there much of a shock to your tone arm when the Expressimo hits it? It seems like the damped ones would be a bit kinder.

It's adjustable.

[johnyradio]

Is there much of a shock to your tone arm when the Expressimo hits it? It seems like the damped ones would be a bit kinder.

It's adjustable.

Is the speed or force of the lift adjustable? Or just the height?
thx!

[Spencer58]

Just talked with Music Hall and they have one in the works. It won't be until at least spring though, maybe summer. It will be similar to the AT model of old. No word on price. There's also one on Ebay by Douk Audio, and what looks like the same one on Amazon by Dobsound (same packaging by Amari) but they're in China, and there are no reviews. It looks nice though.

[johnyradio]

Great info. Thx!

[smee4]

The simple swinging weight arm types work very well, but yes, there is a soft clunk as they lift the arm. It is not something to worry about. It is much better than the repetitive and loud sound of ofa rough inner groove on your stylus.

By adjusting the height and angle so the lift is just enough to clear the record safely, the clunk is minimised. I have been using one for about 10 years, probably more.