What benefits to expect from tonearm upgrade

Very helpful Jperry, thanks.

Schubert, are you still looking for a replacement for your ADC LMF tonearm or did you find a new stylus for your ADC XLM cartridge?

Hi Gondo,
I can't help but empathise with what Stringreen says. Tonearms, unfortunately, are like everything else by being subject to the law of diminishing returns.

For you I guess my opinion (and quite a few others here) is most relevant because I'm using the same platform as you. As an R1 user I upgraded from a Linn Ittok/Music Maker III to a Graham Phantom II/Lyra Delos.
The Ittok/mmIII combination is no slouch but if the Ittok were in manufacture today it would cost perhaps 40% of a Phantom. The latter combination is superior in every regard but the differences could never be commensurate with the price differential (or perhaps it might if I applied a massively more expensive cartridge & phono stage but that option is not on the horizon) so it is a difficult decision that you make.

In the early 80s Linn often stressed Dover's point about small poor quality arm bearings risking damage by using them in conjunction with high energy low compliance MCs (such as Linn's own carts) so that is another important point to take into consideration.

It's worth adding that because a tonearm is so fundamental it will bring more to the party than would a correspondingly more expensive amplifier than the one you are using, so it's money well spent...
However, in defiance of my flat-Earth origins, I also subscribe to the "Barnet Theory" i.e. spending massively on loudspeakers! ;)
Cheers...

...Just noticed you are using a Lyra Kleos Gondo...
This probably strengthens your argument for shelling out on a good tonearm.

The Kleos inspires one or 2 varied opinions on this forum but knowing Jonathan Carr as we do, the Kleos wouldn't have been put out to market if it wasn't a worthy performer. :) ;)
All the best...

I am weighing in late because I have been waiting on a new Basis Vector 4 - just put it in last week and as JPerry and Kurt Tank mention it is a huge upgrade. For me, it might be the most significant upgrade I have made in terms of sonic presentation and mechanical also - it is an engineering marvel compared to what I have had.

My table is a Basis 2200 Signature and my cartridge is an Ortofon Jubilee. My former arms were Rega 300 and Hadcock 228.

I noticed immediately way more detail, better imaging, with blacker backgrounds and more purity of tone. I put it off for years but glad I finally got off my ars and did it!