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

I have the Brand Solid Tech - Feet of Silence' and  Audio Technica's  - AT-616 Footers in use under my TT, and will when I have a functioning HiFi room back in place, will be trialling Panzerholz and Permali Boards in place of a Highly Compressed PUR Foam (750Kg per cubic metre) that I have been using for a few years now.

As said previously, I am happy to loan items out and the Local Group I belong to, and am meeting with today are now using the Brand Isoacoustic Footers under their TT's, CDP , CDT > DAC's and Speakers.

Very recently a New to the Group Valve Amp, during the demonstration had a noticeable looseness to the lowest Bass Notes, Isoacoustic Feet were used under the amp' and the Bass become taught to a very noticeable degree.

Drawing on experience the best way to assess an impact a material or device can have is to live with it for a period and then go in reverse to return the Set Up to the earlier used method. It will be instantaneous where the difference are to be found and at what point the change occurred.

You have nice materials acquired to be sure any further investigation into producing a support structure is chosen to be undertaken, the trials are to be supported with desirable to own footer ancillaries.

The good news is that the response to an inquiry from almost all of the forum members, is not in any way a mimic of the Caricature of the Eighties/Nineties HiFi Retail attitudes as portrayed in the Link.   

Enjoy the moment of satire.  

 

 

@skyscraper  : "  i do really like the VPI Classic 2...... I hate to think about changing it out .."

 

The whole issue tells that it's not what you think ( that could be wrong or rigth. ) but what you need what that Kleos needs. You bougth that cartridge because you want an overall higher/better quality room/system performance.

Reading your posts in this and your other threads maybe the best for your " brain " calm is to listen your new cartridge for a while ( with out any VPI change. ) and to look for an opportunity to listen the Kleos in other system to know if it's valid for you a change of that VPI or just stay with. Through several posts in your threads you already have all options about, so just take your time and learn through your first hand experiences with your new cartridge. Just wait for it. before you could have a total mix-up with somany different posts.

 

R.

Pindac, that video was a scream. Thanks. Always good to be able to laugh at yourself. I was amazed how many changes had occurred in high end audio when I tried picking up an interest in it again after having not having purchased a single new component since 1979.

Raul, I appreciate your excellent advice, and you are undoubtedly correct the Kleos would be better served by upgrading the Classic 2. However I’m pretty content with what I have now with the exception of the current Ortofon 2M Black cartridge being replaced. And I’ve been fairly well convinced an upgraded tonearm should be in the offing at a future date. But that’s where I need to stop now, as wringing the best performance possible out the Kleos is not my highest priority at present

I’d rather spend my resources, time and energy on pursuits other than audio now. I really don’t wish to do surgery on my turntable, or have to go to the trouble of selling it, or researching and finding and installing an upgraded turntable, even if it would improve my system.

I’ve already spent way more than anticipated on the Kleos alone, much less considering getting a tonearm upgrade and/or a whole new turntable. I’d prefer to move on to other pursuits. I’d like to travel and see the Sistine Chapel for example and do some other more mundane things that require time, resources and energy. I hate to be spouting such audio heresy on Audiogon, but shamefully, there it is.

I’m still enjoying the thrill of having the Classic 2 and all my other new components, and am perfectly happy with them for now. I never thought I’d have such a grand stereo system, I realize there’s always something better and you’ve pointed out some good examples, even economical ones, but I think I’ll stand pat, cool my jets for a while and enjoy what I have. Hope you understand, and thanks for all the good advice.

Mike

 

 

Did you detect the very young Mr Bean in his early in life role, as a Sales Representative for Trio TT's.

The Customer was to become the Director of the early Mr Bean Movies  

A visit to Rome will be an amazing experience there really is an amazing architecture and ancient structure to be seen almost everywhere when within close proximity to the River Tiber.

Romulus and Remus have left a legacy that Multiple Millions if not Billions are enchanted by and compelled to experience.