VPI HW-19 with Graham 1.5 arm Question/Suggestions

mijostyn,

I have heard the arms you mention, and I have heard setups using these arms that did indeed sound very good.  But, I would not make the generalization that a two-axis arm is superior in regards to bass reproduction (implying that uni-pivots are inherently inferior in this regard).  As you noted, Graham makes a stabilized uni-pivot and so does Basis, and I think both are pretty good arms.  If I had to pick a pivoting arm that had the biggest bottom end (and a very warm sound), it would be the Moerch Anisotropic arm, which is a uni-pivot arm with a low vertical effective mass but a very high horizontal effective mass that is specifically designed to be good at bass reproduction.

@hoodjem 

The standard loading options on the Rowland are not optimal for this cartridge - ranging from 10-185 ohms or 47k.

The Benz has an internal impedance of 40 ohms - although 47k should be ok you might want to try 400-1000 ohms for this cartridge. I know the Benz range well.

You can do this with the Rowland - turn off all the loading switches and insert resistors in the internal loading socket internally next to the dip switches designed for this purpose - check your manual.

The Benz and Rowland I could see how one could describe them as polite - but not lacking in bottom end - I have heard both components. - for a few dollars buy some 400, 800 and 1000 ohm loading resistors then reassess.

Thanks for all these suggestions and recommendations. 
 

I am keeping a lengthy list, and will start with the simplest, easiest, and cheapest.

Any others?  (Keep 'em coming.)

Just two points from here:

Your physical set up seems good enough.  Others may advise about the quality of the phono pre you're using.  It could be that a change here will do the job. You can probably try some with a return privilege.

I do not agree about fooling with VTA/SRA.  VTA is not a tone control.  There is one correct setting for the max information off of a disk.  I suggest you look elsewhere for tonal balance.

@larryi , both Graham and Basis realized the error of their ways. Graham created an opposing magnet system as a secondary bearing and Basis added a second bearing to stabilize its arm. They are no longer unipivots. They are bipivots. 

I hate to be so...abrupt, but the Moerch arm is a bad joke from a tonearm design perspective. Get yourself one of the arms above and you will never look back.