Hi all,
Feel free to rate the tonearms in the following buckets based on your experiments. Will give something to muse over
1. Sonics for playing classical LPs while playing with neutral, dynamic carts, like Ortofon A90
2. Ease of mounting
3. Ease of adjustment (VTA, SRA, swapping carts, etc).
The tonearms are: Durand Talea II, Da Vinci Grandezza, Thales, Schroeder LT, FR66s, Ikeda 407, Air Tangent 10b, Kuzma Airline, Kuzma 4P, SME 3012.
Additional comments welcome. While ranking you can also add in parentheses next to the arm the carts you have experienced them on
Morning B,
Ok in for a penny in for a Pound
Most memorable Sonics for playing Classical?
--easy my Decca arm/Deram combo in 1957--the first Cart I bought to play the 1812 Klemperer 10" version--well it was my first foray into Audio --one always remembers the first time -no?
so for the present:
Carts I've owned and recommend for Classical---
Decca London--bit of heaven and hell-- when she's good she's great--when she's bad she's horrid!
Jan Allaerts Finish--- great on all counts superb Cart--I'd own again
Koetsu Onyx long Body only--- as above 5 stars
Ortofon A90- excellent sonics detail to die for-- replicant tip needs careful usage--short working life compared to others
EMT TSD-15--the Big balls of the lot--kicks serious crescendo butt--nothing phases it-- tremendous drive--can be used stripped down from H/shell
Miyajama Madake-- a truly oustanding transducer--what it can retrieve from the LP is staggering--for its price sonic marvel
Shindo SPU ae-- if you want no hassle true to source Scale and Weight --and just want to hear the dulcet tones/plus full scale of playback without worrying about the equipment--this jewel is the pinnacle
Arms I've owned and recommend as above:
My personal Fav amongst Pivoted--the Breuers
I experienced the 7/8c models long and short versions--never eclipsed sonically by any other Arm up to now I've run with but sadly no longer current
so that leaves:
Kuzma 4point--a sonic wonder-does most things an Arm need to do 100%--can't find fault sonically great Arm
Fidelity Research Fr66S--the jewel in the long arm stakes--dependant on TT for mounting superbly made and sonics absolutely first rate-- snavel one pronto--if you can find them!
SME 12R Knife edge version-- up there with the 66s -I'd own both in a heartbeat
RF-773 Meursaurt 12" Dynamic balance Arm --paired with its SPU ae can deliver what most others promise--sadly not in current production
Like most on the site I've had other dalliance with arm /carts --some Ok some -right doozies
Of the Arms you mention--Ive' heard the Ikeda, Durand, Schroéder, Thales,
all are excellent choices and highly recommended
Also bear in mind the Airtangent !0B is in a class of itself amongst Linear trackers
Re the Carts:
Of the ones I've heard in other systems and recommend
Lyra Atlas,Kisecki Purple heart,Koetsu Blue lace,Ortofon Xpression
In spite of all this platitude waving/etc you and only you must be the ultimate judge of your decision
so Audition carefully my friend and welcome to the minefield intricacies of the wonderful world of Vinyl
Good Luck
BruceD