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General question on Carbon fiber tonearms versus aluminum

Is it my imagination or is it real?  In a very general sense, do Carbon fiber tonearms sound a bit better than the aluminum tubes?   I am not sure but if I was a betting man, I would put money on the carbon fiber tubes.   Any comments here?

I'd especially like to hear from folks who have had both on their turntables or who have owned both just not at the same time.

Thanks!
128x128spatialking
testpilot
949 posts
 
It is not necessarily the material but the execution of the material that defines the performance. Straight aluminum, tapered aluminum, stepped aluminum, foam injected aluminium etc etc.   
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,642 posts
 
Another thought is aluminum may sound better with MM cartridges and CF with MC cartridges.
spatialking's avatar
spatialking OP
610 posts
 
@slaw Why would one material sound better with MC cartridges than MM?  

@testpilot Agreed, although  I was thinking more in general terms.  That is, it could be easier to make a better sounding tonearm with CF than AL.  Clearly, it is that way with bicycle frames, it is far, far easier to make a frame stiff in one direction and flexible in another with CF, or make it a more comfortable ride with less vibration than say AL or even steel.   
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