Riding the Acoustic Signature Storm ($7500) was the new FXR II tonearm ($1995) by the Funk Firm. Super cool.

The idea is that the tonearm acts as a “beam with no flexing.” A cutaway of the arm shows its patented crossbeam construction, said to reduce typical tonearm resonances by up to 25dB, reducing surface noise and high-frequency glare. If my experience in the Audio Physic/Acoustic Signature/Trigon room is any indication, the Funk Firm arm works as promised.

Plus: It’s red, which is always nice.