Origin Live Unveils Mk5 Tonearm Series at Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2025
It's always exciting when a company takes feedback and continuous research to heart. Origin Live is set to unveil their Mk5 tonearm series at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show on February 21, 2025. After four years since the Mk4 launch, they've been hard at work, and the results seem promising.
One of the things that caught my attention is the trickle-down of technology from their higher-end models into the Mk5 series. Starting from the Illustrious model, the refined Multi-Layer Counterweight (MLC) is now standard. This isn't just a typical counterweight; it's crucial for controlling pivot stability and dampening resonance along the arm tube. The multi-layer design absorbs and dissipates vibrations, and the positioning of mass below the pivot point lowers the center of gravity, enhancing stability during playback, especially during dynamic passages.
Origin Live has always been a proponent of the dual-pivot design, and they're reaffirming its importance with the Mk5. The dual-pivot offers superior torsional resistance, ensuring optimal azimuth stability for the cartridge stylus. Balancing freedom of movement with stability is no easy feat, but they believe this design achieves that harmony better than single-pivot arms.
They've also reworked the arm tubes. Without delving into proprietary details, there's a new internal treatment that significantly improves transparency and channel separation. They've steered clear of using rubber, foam, or a tube-within-a-tube setup. This new approach effectively reduces unwanted vibrations without over-damping, and it’s been implemented across all models since September 2024.
Cable management hasn't been overlooked either. On the Encounter model and above, a new cable housing reduces mechanical resistance from cable bending and twisting, allowing the tonearm to move more freely. These subtle enhancements can make a real difference in performance, minimizing any impediments to the tonearm's movement.
For those who already own a Mk4 arm, there's good news. The Mk5 MLC counterweights can be retrofitted to Mk4 arms, offering an upgrade path without needing to replace the entire tonearm. Additionally, the tracking force adjustment on the Illustrious and higher models has been refined. The fine adjuster now offers a broader range, making it easier to dial in that perfect setting.
Origin Live's dedication over nearly four decades is evident in the Mk5 series. They've combined experience, innovation, and attention to detail to produce what they claim are their best-performing tonearms yet. With the official launch just around the corner, it'll be interesting to see how these new tonearms perform in the real world.
