Graham Phantom vs Triplaner

Atmosphere,I had a Triplanar,and know how good(really so)it is for setting azimuth.In my post,I specifically stated all was "only my opinion".Also,the issue of bearing stability,as how it pertains to maintaining azimuth,with the Phantom/Magna Glide feature,is as good as it gets,IMO!Dead perfect,regardles of warps,AND on those warps the VTF IS maintained,where-as my other Unipivot(I don't know about a ball race bearing,but wonder if vtf is maintained on a warp there)would not do this!
Also,what I was alluding to was the number of contact points in the "all important bearing area"(to have "none" would certainly trump a very good one,no?).The Phantom has only "one",stabilized differently than all other unipivots!Logic would dictate that no matter how good a ball race design is,if it has more contact points than an equally well designed arm with fewer contact points,like the Phantom,"IT" would not sound as good.Also,obviously all other parameters are important,and I mentioned this,but alot of the best arms address the "bearing resonance issue",which attributes,big time,to the ultimate cost of that product.
I must assume all ball race gimballs have more than that,so the potential for resonances would seem more likely with those types.One reason I feel the other arms,like the Schroders/Linear-air line types sound so good.I'd put them above the Phantom.
This is all not to dismiss the fact that many(including me)like arms like the Triplanar,so there is no point looking at my post as some kind of "knock" to those types of arms.I was just killing time,as I was home sick. I felt I gave a "relatively decent" arguement in favor of some other type of bearing systems(other than a ball race,multi contact point,which IS still very good,btw)that have the potential to lower an arm's noise floor.That's it!Just my own logic(whether it is favored by some or not).

My ONLY concern is to actually view the arm as a NON FACTOR(sort of)!...Let it allow the cartridge to do it's thing,and be invisible(if that were only possible)!

It is,in reality,only about the cartridge!Yet,it must be attached to something...Something with as little resonance as possible.As few(stable) contacts as possible.
Who even cares about my choice of a Phantom,as I will readily admit that based on my arguement the Schroder,or better yet,the Kuzma airline would be taking it to the max!
Please don't view my post as provocative,but just some hobbyist's opinion.
Also,I could easily end up with a Triplanar,some day,and would be thrilled!!!....I just want to get back to spinning my records again!!
Best.

Hi Sirspeedy, I certainly don't regard anything about the Phantom/Tri-planar question provacative- really, you can't go wrong either way. As far as I'm concerned, the more vinyl the better :)

I'm not certain that the 'one bearing'vs'four bearing' issue is real though. It seems that a logical fallacy might be operating there. Its certainly worth investigation...

>>My ONLY concern is to actually view the arm as a NON FACTOR(sort of)!...Let it allow the cartridge to do it's thing,and be invisible(if that were only possible)!
It is,in reality,only about the cartridge!<<

Totally disagree.

First, it is impossible to view the arm as a "non factor". Not even sort of. A very myopic view.

Second, the cartridge can no more "do it's thing" invisibly than the tonearm can "do it's thing" without error and in total neutrality.

Lastly, the tonearm's impact on accurate playback is far more important than the cartridge in my experience and opinion. I'm not dismissing the cartridge's role but given the choice of an excellent tonearm OR cartridge, sign me up for the tonearm every time.

Atmosphere,point well taken!Also,I'm certainly no mechanical engineer,but I have my own way of viewing things.Based on my wife's observations,they are usually wrong -:)
BTW,if I actually find that the Phantom is unavailable for an inordinately long time(I've been waiting for over two months,and I do understand the "why" of the delay),which I hope is not the case (and I certainly will wait a very,very long time before losing hope of obtaining one),I could be singing the virtues of a Triplanar."IT" would be my next logical choice!!I could always make a few bucks on my IC-70,and put that money towards a disc flattener -:)
My perspective on the disc flattener,btw,is more for the advantage of obtaining lower prices on the number of not perfectly flat LP's that appear at my local used LP source.Those are priced very cheaply,so it could be a nice investment.....Who am I kidding?I just want one!!!
See what I mean?I have my own silly way of viewing things.Just ask my wife-:)
Best.

BTW,and this WILL be my last post here,as I'm probably getting anoying already!Yet,some "TRI" fans might appreciate this.......Personally I have always loved the look,and design of the Triplanar.That is one reason why I bought one(long ago)when my friends went the route of other arms.
I remember in 1973,I had a business luncheon with a client,across the street from where HE-2007 was held,and the guy pulls out a spec sheet(he obviously was into Hi-Fi)of this INCREDIBLE looking tonearm.IT was the early version of the Triplanar!WOW,I thought it was very unique!
That was in my Dual 1229 era,so I could see no reason why anyone could want a seperate arm!
Fast forward about 25 years(approximatey)to my owning(for three years)a Triplanar.My situation was mucked up,by a non caring dealer,who did not check with the mfgr about the arm's compatibility with my table(an early SOTA Cosmos).EVEN though I specifically asked this exact question of him!!
The arm did not fit into the arm-well properly,and the dealer told me to basically live with it!!I kid you not!!I don't go there anymore,and the guy approached me at HE-2007 like he was my best friend!WHEW!!
I had called the "incredibly nice"(you have NO idea,actually)Herb Papier,to plead my case.The guy almost cried,he was SO,SO concerned!!I am NOT exagerating!
The arm has a history of "goodness" surrounding it!If that makes any sense.
Here's one reason why.....firstly Herb made me up a "really cool" looking device to allow for my arm to work with my cartridge,somewhat.I was not too far along in my fanaticism to mind much,and it did allow for me to hear "music".
Herb was the kind of guy to actually "call" some owners of the arm(I guess he felt a bit sorry for my situation)from time to time,to "see how things were doing"!I mean he definitely came from the Sid Marks school of INCREDIBLY DECENT GENTLEMEN!!!Of another era!!
About six months before his passing away,he called me,in my place of business,with an unusually enthusiastic tone to his voice.He had made some modifications to the arm,which he liked alot,including the new wiring.
Herb stated to me,and I quote,because I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH HIS OLD WORLD WAY OF DEALING WITH CUSTOMERS,that I remember,word for word..."Mark,you cannot believe how much better I have made the arm.Please send me yours,and I will do the upgrades for my cost.I'm hearing things I never heard before on my records"!!!!!!..I SWEAR,this is absolutely word for word true,and this is the kind of "heritage" this product has!!!Who the heck does that stuff today!!!...At the time,I was getting more experience in arm/cartridge voicing so wanted a more precise product match-up,and did not take up the offer..."What a great guy Herb was"!!!
Just thought I'd put it out there.

BTW,I still think the Phantom may be a bit quieter(just a hunch) -:) Sue me!-:)