Origin Live Encounter MkIII
The result of this ground breaking design is an entirely new level of performance not believed possible - highly transparent with great dynamics and musicality - this arm is set to redefine system heirarchy.
"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."
STEREO TIMES MAGAZINE 2003
Preference Audio used this arm at a large show in Vienna and were awarded "the best sound at the show award". The decision was made using voting forms handed out by the show organisers to all members of the public attending the show. Against very stiff competition such as Linn, JM labs, Kronos, Audio Physics etc this vote says a great deal.
“I have owned about 60 different tonearms so far, including Immedia, Wheaton, SME V, Forsell, Mission Mechanic, Linn Ekos, Naim Aro, the above mentioned Audio Note and many others. And what counts more: it [the Encounter] is the best conventional (gimballed) one in that classs, and the best UK tonearm, too......At it’s price point I consider the Origin Live a best buy”
TNT AUDIO (square bracketed text added by origin Live for clarity)
There are literally thousands of possible materials and alloys that an armtube could be manufactured from. Because this choice alone has such a huge influence on the performance of an arm, Origin Live have conducted a great deal of research, resulting in the use of a highly specified alloy with the correct characteristics.
To achieve high strength / low resonance, the arm is specially profiled. This involves machining it from a solid alloy billet to give a tapered profile - the Silver arm is only manuctured from tube. The arm has a large diameter to provide massive torsional strength which manifests itself in superbly controlled deep bass along with increased focus, stability and resolution through all frequencies. The tight and powerful bass produced by this arm is absolutely outstanding. This alone adds so much to the musical experience since bass quality carries the hallmark of authority. The arm dramatically improves the great tonal balance and sound-staging of the Silver arm. It also produces a wonderful “live” feel to the music, with fabulous transient speed, “air” and no lag or overhang, yet always maintaining accurate decay of notes. There is of course much more that we could say about the benefits of the Encounter but why not simply arrange an audition and hear for yourself.
Differences over the Silver Arm
The Encounter builds on the specifications of the Silver in the following respects:
Stereo Times Review
Table providing at-a-glance feature comparisons of OL tonearms
