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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
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

@lewm, lets see if we can sort this out.

In all cases when you increase VTA by lifting the back of the head shell you have to be raising the pivot unless you bend the tonearm just behind the head shell to increase VTA that way. Do that in your head. So now you have a very high VTA and a bent tonearm with it's pivot point at record level. Now run it around 360 degrees and draw a circle. It is the same circle with a very slightly shorter radius. The translocation of the stylus is exactly the same as when the arm was straight. WOW does not change until you move the center of the circle. 

Yes, there are a few errors in the video the worst being the discussion on anti skating. But, it is highly instructional and his methods are fairly easy for people to grasp like the difference between stable and neutral balance. 

lewm
13,346 posts
 

I’ll PM you to respond about pivot height.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 

Dear @skyscraper  : " whereas I’m only in the minor leagues..."

Well, problem is your knowledge level on the whole issue.

 

Look, today almost no one is looking to buy ( second/third hand. ) the VPI rig model you own that's out of production and as you leave that time goes on/pass your unit re-sale prices will and is lower and lower faster than you can imagine. In the other side your VPI tonearm is not a " desirable " one for any audiophile.

 

You are talking that over time buy the 4.5K VPI FB tonearm and this is up to you.

Now, you get for 4K a new and way better TT/tonearm combination that works just fine with the Kleos and almost any other cartridge and that TT/tonearm is the Technics 1200G, way superior to what you own today and this could be your alternative not the FB. Again, is up to you.

 

 

R.

 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,112 posts
 

Here a post by an Agoner that own it and has mounted on it a cartridge in the same league than the Kleos.:

 

 

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