An Audio Myth--The Syrinx PU Tonearm

[Steady339]

Do you remember the Syrinx PU2 and PU3 tonearms? The Scottish designed and built Syrinx PU2 and PU3 were some of the best and most unusual tonearms ever developed for the Linn Sondek LP-12 turntable. But what about the Syrinx PU4 tonearm? Bet you have never seen one in the flesh.

The Syrinx PU4 is something of a genuine "audio myth"--a very rare prototype possibly developed for the mid-1980s SOTA Star Sapphire TT. Only around a dozen PU4s prototypes were ever produced before Syrinx went out of business, so the PU4 never went into production.

Although specifications for a Syrinx PU4 were published on the web, the vast majority of British audiophiles had never seen a Syrinx PU4. Also, no one seemed to have any photos of the Syrinx PU4, so many British audiophiles were curious about it and some thought that the PU4 might be a audio myth.

British Syrinx tonearm enthusiasts who had been wondering about the PU4 were surprised and very interested when I claimed I had one and later posted documentation and photos for the Syrinx PU4, first on the British audiophile site pinkfishmedia, and later Vinylengine.

I was lucky enought to buy a mid 1980s era SOTA Star Sapphire III turntable with the Syrinx PU4 mounted on it from a U.S. eBay auction about three years ago. I think it looks a lot like a Origins Live tonearm--makes me wonder if Origins Live based their first design on the Syrinx PU4?





Roger

[antaresbluespirit]

Great vinyl audio system from the eighties....a blessed period in this area indeed!

Raymond