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Sumiko Celebration Arming

Hello all. I recently stumbled across a used Sumiko Celebration - a cartridge I have not previously owned but about whose virtues and characteristics I have read with interest. Wondering of those who have owned a Celebration, which arms on which you have hung this cartridge. One which arms have you experienced the best synergy, all else equal? I'd like to identify an arm (VTA adjustment a MUST) to mate with this critter. SME, maybe?

Oh yeah, the question of budget will arise. Let's say no more than $1800 new/$100o used and not at all afraid to go $400 if that proves the best match (if ya catch my drift, in that regard).

Thanks in advance for all comments.
4yanx
sberger
146 posts
 
im using a celebration with the jmw9 on my scoutmaster and it's a terrific combination. vta adjustment is easy, although technically not on the fly.
4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
Hey there, Spence. On the fly isn't particularly important, though nice. Glad to hear someone piping in, here!
monk
120 posts
 
I love mine on a Basis Vector. I don't have on the Fly VTA, but the dual bearing, uni-pivot in silicone really allows for serious fine tuning. In addition to VTA, VTF, super stable azimuth and antiskate, the amount of damping can really dial in all the above. It can be a tweakers dream, as well as a set and forget arm as well. I can't say enough positive things about everything from prat and involvement, to soundstaging (like larger than room size headphones).... I can't listen to cd's anymore as they just don't come anywhere close to the real music the Celebration/Basis combo provide me. Some carts can sound lifeless on the Basis TT, but not the Celebration/Vector! BIGGGG involement/enveloping sound here. I keep thinking about a backup, but this thing looks new after almost 800 hours use! If it lasts the Decade my Sumiko Talisman S lasted, I'd be VERY happy(still keep this around as a backup, and it may make a trip to VanDenHul for a Rebuild someday).
4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
Thanks, Monk. The Vector is not an arm that I'd have considered for the Celebration, to be honest. That is not to say that it does not sound good. It must, or you would not say that it did! Nothing worse than someone who tells you that you're using the "wrong" arm when you know it sounds good. I went through an extremely detailed comparison some time ago between the Vector and a Graham 2.2 and went with the Graham (though with different cartridges). I do not have a Basis table and, IMHO, I think the Vector needs a Basis table to bring out its best. That said, I don't think the Graham would be my choice in this instance, either. Let's just say I'd have to hear it for myself on either of these arms before going in that direction.

One thing. It was the use of the Graham that really got me spoiled on adjustability of geometric parameters! Now that's an arm you can adjust VTA on the fly! :-)
monk
120 posts
 
I hear you on the Graham/Celebration not exactly being a good match 4yanx. As the energy the cart puts into the arm can be abit much. But add just a dabb more silicone to the Vector's bath, and that completely goes away! I mean like hand in glove, the tonalities, strengths and weaknesses of each really work well together (BasisTT + Vector + Celebration). The SME and Basis TT's do have certain similarities, thus the combo working well actually shouldn't have been a surprise. For me the Vector has been one of the best purchases I have made audiowise (eliminated all inner grove noise all together, and it's superstable bearings and rock solid azimuth adjustments really focus the soundstage, makes the images just "POP" out in a corporeal way, and one can really dial in the room/hall info). I have thought about the VTA mechanism AJ adds on the Vector, but have other priorities right now.
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