A tone arm apparatus comprising a hemispherical air bearing in a pivoted tone arm operable on all axes so as to provide a virtually frictionless bearing operative on the tone arm, thereby enabling a stylus and cartridge that converts vibrations in the record groove to electrical signals, to transmit the signals without unwanted bearing noises impacting upon the sound quality of the transmission.

A tone arm apparatus comprising a hemispherical air bearing in a pivoted tone arm operable on all axes so as to provide a virtually frictionless bearing operative on the tone arm, thereby enabling a stylus and cartridge that converts vibrations in the record groove to electrical signals, to transmit the signals without unwanted bearing noises impacting upon the sound quality of the transmission.