HANDMADE IN THE NETHERLANDS - EST. 2011
CONTACT +31 6 423 73 473
Discover the ultimate in musical precision with the GrooveMaster GM4 tonearm! With its precision technology and sophisticated design, this tonearm delivers unparalleled sound quality. Thanks to the perfect balance, sophisticated material selection and minimal resonance, you will enjoy a highly detailed sound, resulting in a unique musical experience.
Experience the subtleties of each note and get carried away by the music.
The GrooveMaster 4 tonearm sets a new standard in hi-fi enjoyment.
GrooveMaster 4 review in 'the Ear magazine'
GrooveMaster GM4
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 GM4: 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.
GrooveMaster GM4 specialty:
Horizontal bearing is corrected with the Offset Angle for all GrooveMaster Tonearms
This is a feature that is often forgotten in tone arm construction. For a tonearm with a static horizontal bearing, it is important to correct this bearing with the Offset angle. This is what we have incorporated in the GrooveMaster 4. This corrected angle applies to both the 9", 10" and 12” GrooveMaster 4
What makes the GrooveMaster GM4 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.
Custom made headshell connector
Extra slot for mounting EMT headshell
Custom made DIN connector
GrooveMaster GM4 Mounting Options (optional)
The mounting collar is a high mass, stainless steel base for the GrooveMaster. The collar is designed to mount a GrooveMaster at a fixed pivot to spindle distance. The mounting holes correspond to a Jelco mounting. It is therefore not necessary to drill extra holes.
The stainless steel sliding base for the GrooveMaster III is a high quality CNC machined sliding base. The brass sleeve connecting the GrooveMaster is nickel plated. Both materials together with the high mass minimise micro resonances. The unique wedge-shaped construction ensures a quick and play-free adjustment. The GrooveMaster sliding base fits the cutouts of an SME sliding base.
The RotaryLift is a high-quality VTA lift developed especially for the GrooveMaster tonearm. This lift has a number of special and unique features, such as a collet attachment for the GrooveMaster and the possibility of adjusting the VTA while playing. The materials are stainless steel and gun metal brass. Two materials that neutralise each other’s resonance. The RotaryLift is mounted under the turntable by means of a heavy nut or through the screw holes, which are exactly made to Jelco measurements.
The best way to mount a tonearm to the chassis is with a collet mount. The collet design ensures a play-free mounting. A quarter-turn of the handle releases the tonearm for removal or adjustment. The locking collar is screwed to the chassis using a heavy-duty brass nut. If that option is not available, it can also be secured to the chassis using three blind screws.
Dr Feickert Volare
Garrard 301 Artisan
Dr Feickert Firebird
Kondo
Garrard 301 Artisan
Platine Verdier
SPEC GMP-8000EX
Thorens TD124
Audio Creative headshell HS-01 (optional)
We had a headshell designed specifically for the GrooveMaster tonearm. Sound-wise, this is one of the best headshells we have heard. But of course, the GrooveMaster can play with any brand headshell without any problems.
High quality machining
Due to the special design and close tolerance of production, our headshell has a very low resonance value.
Custom made connector
The connector is custom made. The contact pins are pure copper with high conductivity. Then highly silver plated and cryogenically treated.
Custom Silver Cartridge Leads
The cartridge leads arecustom made. Flexible pure silver wiring and high quality cartridge clips. These are the best we could produce for our headshell.
Special headshell screws
The headsheel comes with a complete set of screws. A high quality stainless steel screw for both bolted and threaded catridges.
GrooveMaster Specifications
9" GrooveMaster
229 mm.
10" GrooveMaster
240 mm.
10" GrooveMaster
254 mm.
12" GrooveMaster
290 mm.
12" GrooveMaster
304,75 mm.
12" GrooveMaster
309 mm.
GrooveMaster in the Press
SterEoPhile
toneaudio
peter schimdt
German Audio forum
"this could well be the best sounding detachable head shell tonearm I've used..."
“
Yesterday mounted the GrooveMaster on my Micro Seiki. Thanks to the custom base Marco supplied, everything fits perfectly. That is what good service is about! The GrooveMaster is looking very good and well made. The tonearm fits my Koetsu cartridge perfectly.
Felix, The Netherlands
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My PTP project is progressing slow, but now it is time to finish. The Groovemaster arrived and with opening the box a big 'WOW' was heard. This tonearm is impressive and I have been looking for a long time for a tonearm lijke this. The Dutch caftmanship and the excellent communication with Marco pulled me over. It is tonearm without bling bling, just as I like it.
John, Germany
