12" Tonearm What Have You Heard & Recommend?

"DaVinci Audio 12" Grandezza Arm"

Maybe, but in the USA it is hugely expensive...more than a Schroeder Reference, I think.

Dear Thomas: I don't agree with you about the Davinci tonearm but this does not matter what really matter is that the Ikeda tonearm is a great match for the Decca cartridge that Jomoinc has in his mind. Can you asure that the Davinci is a better match?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Based on my friend's NEW VPI-12.6,replacing a superb linear tracker,I must admit to being quite disappointed.The sound is fairly good in the bass,but the sense of ease is gone!Extended,thin highs,giving a faulty(IMO,only)sense of detail.Some can(do) consider this detailed sound.
Also,there is a constant azimuth "twisting" as the lp plays.Sort of a "tick tocking" action.So far this has not been corrected,and the bearing housing has no fluid damping,to stabilize this.
Yet we are hopeful this will be corrected in time.By an experienced "VPI" 'phile,hopefully.

Easy: put the damping fluid in the housing, it makes a world of difference, the bass simply not there without it. Also makes it behave physically.

Hey Johnnantais, I just got done reading this myself:

"Difference between JMW 12.5 and JMW 12.6 tonearm"

...the 12.6 has no damping capability which they said was changed (different bearing housing) from the 12.5 which was able... may be worth verifying...

Remember how good the (vinyl) on the radio used to sound back in the day... I am becoming more convinced it has in large part to do with the transcription TT's......

Johnnantais, thanks for the reminders!

Enjoy your music!
Jon