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How to choose an upgraded tonearm.

In two recent threads on selecting an upgraded cartridge, some of you suggested a new tonearm was in order. Since I’ve never chosen a new tonearm, I’m asking you all for some advice on how to do so for that future event.

My current turntable is a VPI Classic 2 with a VPI JMW 10.5i unipivot tonearm. A new Lyra Kleos MC cartridge is on order. I’ll likely be changing to a gimbal style tonearm. The rest of the system is Magico A3 speakers, a Luxman 507uX MkII integrated amp, a Marants Ruby CD player, and a Shunyata Hydra Denali power conditioner.

What price range should an appropriate tonearm for the Lyra Kleos be in, that would also be in keeping with the price point of my Classic 2, The Classic 2 was in the $3-4,000 range, as is the Lyra Kleos. I’ll be purchasing new, not used, and will not be upgrading any other equipment than the tonearm.

Pardon some rookie questions, but what attributes should I be looking for in a quality tonearm? Who are some of the better known manufacturers, and which models of theirs might be workable? Are there other alternative to either a gimbal or unipvot tonearm? Are tonearms generally interchangeable between different manufacturers turntables? And what improvements in sound quality might be gained by upgrading my tonearm?

Since this is all new to me, any other advice you might have about things to consider would be greatly appreciated and will help kick off my research. Thanks,

Mike

skyscraper
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,210 posts
 

I’m not going to take a chance on doing any type of modification to the table of my VPI Classic 2.

How about an outboard armpod and transform your table to dual arm setup?

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/outboard-armpod-project-for-sme-30-12-turntable.29517/

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

 

I’m sure VPI have been giving the idea of a Stand Alone Pod some thought as well.

skyscraper OP
831 posts
 

Pindac, thank you again for your input and suggestions. And thanks to the link to the VPI stand alone. I’ll ask them about that when I call. them It’s amazing the amount all of you know..

Imififan- I’m going to have to research those Acoustand Tonearm Pods Nice picture. Thanks.

Anybody know how those VPI gimballed Fatboys compare to any other tonearms in the $4500 price range. There are not a lot of reviews to be found, or used ones to be found either. I’m usually afraid to buy used, but am equally afraid of the poorhouse.

Mike

lewm
13,228 posts
 

"It’s amazing the amount all of you know.."
It’s also amazing the amount all of us don’t know. Like why an outboard pod is not advisable, especially the pods shown in those photos. I don’t argue that it cannot be done well, but the doer must be someone who understands the potential problems. In my opinion, it is not a good idea for your first venture away from standard. If you watched the video provided by Mijostyn, pay special attention to the discussion and views shown of the underside of the AR XA chassis, with the T-shaped heavy metal brace that links the tonearm pivot to the bearing. The narrator discusses the significance of that idea; you don’t want the tonearm and the bearing to be independent of one another structurally or in terms of how external forces affect them.

skyscraper OP
831 posts
 

Lewm- appreciate the heads up. It’s going to take a minute to sort out all the information on this thread alone much less other information gathered on the subject.

It might be most cost effective to get a VPI gimballed Fatboy and call it a day. It would be integrated structurally with the rest of the turntable since it’s made to go with the existing tonearm’s base. It is gimballed so should complement the Lyra Kleos cartridge better, I wouldn’t have to waste $170 on a dual pivot for the current arm. And the professional set up cost of about $200 wouldn’t have to be redone if I upgraded at a later date to a better tonearm.

I’m thinking out loud here.

Mike

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