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Top 5 Tonearms Newer or Vintage Under 2500 That Will Beat anything above/below 2.5k?

From all your tonearm experiences trials errors comparisons etc is there a Top 5 tonearm list that are known for their musical superlatives in all music ranges and genres? including finer detail nuances feeling, 3d sound but also deep bass and midbass, basspunch. Airy highs. And importantly long hours listening without fatigue.
The criteria also to be met are easy setups for all angles vta vfa azimuth anti skating etc 
The Tonearm must also the ability to use more than just one or two cartridge compatibility.

Probable Turntables to be Used: Garrard 301/401, Lenco, Linn, Thorens 124, Technics 1100 1200 10 or 15. 

Heres the list i compiled of ToneArms to pick from.
Feel free to mention others.

  • Tw Raven, D Talea, Graham 2.2/phantom, Moerch, Origin Live, Vpi, 
  • AudioMods

  • Clear Audio, Stax, Rega, Technics 500/1000, Sumiko, Alphason, Black Widow, One unipivot, Saec, Clear Audio, Basis Vector, Triplanar

  • Origin Silver, Rega 9, Linn Ittok, Project, Technics 500/1000,
  •  Alphason, Audio Technica, Dynavector 507

    Grace, Mission, Grado, Ortofon, EMT, Thorens Tp,
  • ESL, Sme 3012, Sme 3009, Sme V, IV,

  • Schroeder, Kuzma, Eminent, Ikeda, Breuer, 
    Stax, Kenwood 007 arm, Sonys top Arm, Artemis
vinny55
analogdog
14 posts
 
I second Moerch. I've had a UP4 on my Teres for 18 years. No problems with it. It is a very well behaved arm.
jperry
2,448 posts
 
Under $2,500 a Used Basis Vector is an excellent tonearm and the Ortofon RS-309D is also under $2,500 used.
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@vinny55 

Any Opinions on Sony Pua-237 Tonearm?  

Look for Sony PUA-7 (or PUA-9) stand alone version which is much better than 237 series. 
vinny55 OP
259 posts
 
@chakster i read that you use Victor ua7045 for mm only. Why is that? 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@vinny55 it's because i have UA-7082 for MC (low compliance), the difference between lighter UA-7045 and heavier 7082 is effective mass and length, since my MM are mostly mid of high compliance the 7045 is nice for them. My personal MC cartridges are mostly low or mid compliance, so 7082 is better.  

But in fact an MC can be used on 7045 too if the compliance is not too low. There is an optional subweight provided by Victor to balance heavy headshell and insrease the effective mass. 

The only problem is the rubber part infront of the counterweight, it's not easy to find a sample with strong enough rubber, most used samples have serious problem with counterweight. However, i've been able to find a perfect samples (original, not repaired).   

This is a great tonearm! 
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