Oracle Audio Reference Tonearm

The Oracle Audio Reference Tonearm, which Oracle calls the Reference 1, is a four-bearing arm designed and manufactured by Oracle, with a high modulus carbon fiber arm tube and Cardas HSL CLEAR 34/4 Reference internal wiring. Adjustable silicone damping, a precision VTA calibration system and an end-of-record auto lift are built in, and effective mass is 20 grams.

For most of the Delphi's history, Oracle sold its turntables with other people's tonearms, and SME arms were a common sight on an Oracle deck. The Reference 1 is Oracle's own flagship arm, designed by the company's partners Jacques Riendeau and Stephane Nadeau. It competes with arms from Graham and Tri-Planar. We recommend it to Oracle owners who want the arm made by the same people who made their turntable.

Key Features of the Oracle Audio Reference Tonearm

• Designed and Manufactured by Oracle: Oracle's own flagship arm, not another maker's arm under an Oracle badge
• High Modulus Carbon Fiber Arm Tube: Finished in carbon fiber and brushed aluminum
• Very High Precision Four-Bearing Design: A four-bearing arm rather than a unipivot
• Cardas HSL CLEAR 34/4 Reference Wiring: Cardas reference-grade internal wire
• Precision VTA Calibration System: Set the vertical tracking angle precisely for your cartridge
• Adjustable Silicone Damping: Damping you set for the cartridge you fit
• End-of-Record Auto Lift: An integrated mechanism lifts the arm when the record ends
• 20-Gram Effective Mass: Oracle's rated figure, a mass that suits lower-compliance cartridges, which includes most moving coil designs
• DIN 5-Pin Phono Connection: The phono cable is not included

Why Did Oracle Build Its Own Tonearm?

Because Oracle's decks had always worn someone else's arm. Over more than four decades, Oracle turntables were typically sold with third-party arms, SME among them in past years, and SME no longer sells its arms separately. The Reference 1 gives the Delphi an arm designed and manufactured by Oracle itself, with carbon fiber, four precision bearings and Cardas wiring.

Oracle's partners Jacques Riendeau and Stephane Nadeau designed the arm. Oracle lists it as the Reference 1 tonearm, designed and manufactured by Oracle Audio.

How Is the Reference Tonearm Built?

Around a high modulus carbon fiber arm tube and a very high precision four-bearing design. It is not a unipivot like Oracle's Origine arm, and it is not a magnetic bearing design either. The finish pairs the carbon fiber tube with brushed aluminum, and Oracle rates the arm's effective mass at 20 grams.

At the end of a side, the integrated auto lift raises the stylus from the record.

What Does the Adjustable Silicone Damping Do?

It lets you add controlled damping to the arm's motion. Oracle lists an adjustable silicone damping system among the Reference 1's core features, alongside the precision VTA calibration system and the end-of-record auto lift, so the amount of damping is set for the cartridge you fit rather than fixed at the factory.

How Is VTA Set on the Reference Tonearm?

With Oracle's precision VTA calibration system, one of the Reference 1's listed core features. It sets the vertical tracking angle, the angle at which the stylus meets the groove, so it can be matched to the cartridge you fit. Tracking force is set on the arm as well.

What Do I Need to Connect the Reference Tonearm?

A DIN 5-pin tonearm cable, terminated to suit your phono stage. Oracle supplies the Reference 1 without a phono cable. The Cardas HSL CLEAR 34/4 Reference wire runs inside the arm to its DIN 5-pin connection.

If you are fitting the arm to a turntable other than an Oracle Delphi, get in touch with Mike first so he can confirm the mounting for your deck.

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Oracle Audio Reference Tonearm Specifications