What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?

@lewm  , it was not. What I posted happened, it's his style: post after post till he think already win but in this isue has no reason to post and post and post and all because his friend and because he think is " the best tonearm " outthere. He has knowledge in tube electronic but certainly is not in that way with cartridges or tonearms, at least not as he think.

Lewm you only have to re-read again his statement in that post to know he is totally wrong:

" Back in the old days when the SME5 was first made, there were only three top arms; the SME5, the Graham unipivot and the Triplanar. "

In those times as today the Graham unipivot as all unipivots was a " terrible " tonearm ( a copy of the Audiocraft unipivot. ) but in those times were all the top Japanese tonearm designs where even today the Tri can't compete with.

So, lewm: waht are you talking about?

In the other side I'm not saying a negative comment on the Tri, things are that there are better tonearms andthat's all.

Facts speaks by its self.

R.

R

Perhaps facts speak for themselves, but where are the facts in your insulting post? Also, I do not want to be dragged into defending the Triplanar.  That has nothing to do with it.  It is the manner in which you delivered your opinion.  Don't you get that you are not the only one who can be insulted?  You like to use the word "win".  That is the problem; most of us are not trying to win anything. It's quite OK for you to point out whatever you think are the drawbacks of the Triplanar or any other piece of gear.  I think we have a consensus that there is no such thing as "the best" tonearm or the best anything.

I can’t see any " insult " and yes there is no " best " tonearm.

What ’s wrong with the word " win " that certainly is not my target in any thread. I posted several times that an audio forum is " win " to " win " with no loossers at all.

R.

I tried several arms when I got into the hobby, several decades ago, but at that time I judged the SME V to be the best choice and I still use them on a Sota Cosmos and a VPI TNT V in two of my systems. 

Setting up amd trying different arms with the same tables and cartridges is a lot of work and once you reach a conclusion you aren't anxious to do it all over again.  I certainly agree that there are other arms out there that may be superior but I long ago stopped searching for the audio golden grail.

Only a few months ago after you posted in other thread your Tri advice: Mike Lavigne said not reallly good tonearm and I know he knew why but you don't still today.

This statement is false. I have not mentioned Mike in any way. But now that you brought him up, he has a friend that makes a much more expensive arm ($16,000 last I heard). It copies the Triplanar VTA tower but is otherwise different. I found it didn't play bass as well as the Triplanar and the Triplanar seemed more neutral so I still prefer it. What Mike likes is his business and I don't fault him for it. We have differing opinions but somehow remain cordial on the web and in person because neither of us find reason to level personal attacks at the other!

You would do well to emulate his grace.