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Curious about the difference in what I’d hear on different tonearms

I’m relatively new & most of the numbers & concepts people talk about are still over my head. I do basically understand that different tonearms are a better match for  certain weight cartridges. To reduce the variables I have a Lyra Delos cartridge & a Rega 330 Moth tonearm & I only want to compare up the Rega models without advice thrown in about different cartridges.  Here’s my question, with that setup & all other things being unchanged, what actual difference would I clearly hear if I changed the tonearm to the Rega 808 & then between 808 & the 2000? Please-“I’d never use a Rega... get an ABC model 1234”, same related to the cartridge or other parts of my system... it’ll just confuse my understanding of what you’re teaching me.

Thanks


tochsii
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Up the a Rega line would be an experiment in better wire and bearing spec. Effective mass and 'synergy' factors would remain similar.
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
A much more productive approach is to search out all the reviews and comments you can find on the arms you're considering. Concentrate on the performance of the arms specifically. Ignore the table. Ignore the cartridge. Ignore everything but the arm. 

This is because what you will find, contrary to conventional wisdom, an arm is an arm is an arm. If the Graham 2.2 or the Origin Live is awesome on my table, it will be awesome on yours. Guaranteed.

Anything else is a path to madness. If the table has to be matched to the arm, or the cart, you might as well call it a day. The one exception is sprung tables. Something like a Linn, the whole thing is a tuned system. Suspended tables are like that. My condolences if you go that way. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Look at the Rega-based Audiomods tonearms for a definite upgrade. You'll get a more incisive and stable sound, free from the speakers, with more air, dimensionality, and color.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
Millercarbon, you'd be making a big mistake comparing other suspended tables to the Linn. It does not matter what tonearm you put on a SOTA, SME, Basis or Air Force. They will all be perfectly stable. Nothing is stable on a Linn. The resonance frequency of say a SOTA Cosmos is down at 2-3 Hz far below the 10 Hz frequency of a properly set up tonearm. It is fun to watch. Give it a push and the whole shooting match just bobs along together perfectly stable.
Fixed tables can be a real problem in many installation situations but you can put any of the four tables mentioned above just about anywhere.
It always helps to have your system located on a cement slab if you have that option.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
@noromance, good suggestion in the Audiomods. But whereas the earlier versions of company's arms did indeed use a Rega-sourced armtube (the only part of the arm related to Rega), the latest/greatest Audiomods arm (Series Six) is 100% Rega-free, the carbon fibre armtube being designed and manufactured by Jeff Spall himself. An outstanding arm, and at 985 British Pounds a bargain at that.
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