Verdier Graham and Shelter???

Dear Tenmus,
I have Platine Verdier with a GT Audio Battery PSU (which transforms the PV to an even higher plane - similar to the Galibier PSU in the US). I have a Schroeder Model 2 (original carbon wand) and Allaerts MC1B, which works really well. Before that I used my old Hadcock 228 with initially a Decca London Gold and then the Allaerts. I have also heard the PV with a SME 3012 as well as both the Schroeder Reference and DPS. They all sound different, but great. The best value is the Schroeder Model 2, as it is much cheaper than the DPS or Reference and will give you an excellent arm for much less money. I would use the money to buy a Battery PSU as this lowers the noise floor vene further on the PV and increases the dynamic range even further.
As we say in England, 'you pays your money and makes your your choice'.
Good Luck
Charlie

Thank you David and Charlie

Happy Holidays

André

I agree with topoxforddoc about the battery. I have compared the battery and 3 different wall-powered supplies on my Galibier. For my money, the battery makes a huge improvement.

I have also heard the same battery vs. wall-powered supply comparison on a Platine Verdier at a friend's house and I heard the same types of differences as with my Galibier.

Not all persons will agree, however. My friend with the PV prefers the stock wall-powered supply over the battery. The AC supply is faster, tighter, and a bit more extended in the highs and lows. What I hear with the battery is more detail, more subtleties, more dynamic contrasts, and a richer, warmer tonal balance that suits my tastes to a T.

Dave

You really should consider the Ikeda IT407 (12 inch arm). Pricing is real world compared to many other top quality tonearms (was $2150, but now price is $2400).

To me, it has the best quality fit and finish of any arm I've ever examined, including SME, which is often used as a benchmark in this area. Plus its design is very 'finished' looking, as opposed to lots of other arms that look like garage-shop kits. Personally, I like the interchangeable headshell feature, although many dislike this.

No only does it perform faultlessly on the PV, but it looks fantastic on the table. When Lamm was demonstrating a Final labs 'Parthenon' TT at the 2005 CES in LV, he used an IT407. Seems like Ikedas are a well kept secret since there is no US importer (at least not one I can find). I got mine through '2juki' here at A'goN (or alternatively off his Ebay store).

Dear Bigbucks: I totally agree with you . The Ikeda tonearms out perform almost any of the best tonearms out there for a fraction of price, but as I understand André already buy the Triplanar.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.