I looked pretty hard at the Volare and I was going to put an OL Conqueror on it. I think any of the OL arms would be a homerun with that table but at least go up to the Encounter.
Looking for Tonearm Advice/Suggestions
I am looking down the road at potentially upgrading my tonearm and cartridge (tonearm first) and would greatly appreciate any advice and suggestions this board may have. I have always received great feedback from the Audiogon community and I always learn a lot when asking these questions so thanks in advance for your help.
Here is my current setup:
- Dr. Feickert Volare turntable
- Jelco TK-850S tonearm
- Lyra Delos MC cartridge
- Manley Chinook phono stage
- Prima Luna Dialogue HP Premium integrated amp
- Dynaudio Contour S 3.4LE speakers
- Twin REL T/9i subs
- Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cables
- Innuos Zenith music server
- Lumin T2 streamer
- Bryston CD player
- AudioQuest Niagara 1200 Power Conditioner
I listen to variety of music but mainly classic rock, country/folk (not bro-country) and singer/songwriter. I prefer listening to vinyl although I also still play CD’s as well as stream. Overall I have put this system together trying to minimize harshness as I gravitate to a “warmer” sound. In thinking about a tonearm upgrade I am considering the Kuzma Stogi 9 or possibly the Reed 1h 9.5. Down the road I would love a Hana Unami Red cartridge but not sure I want to pay that price. The Unami Blue is also a consideration.
I’m not in a hurry but would greatly appreciate your thoughts on these tonearm options as well as cartridges. I know there are many other tonearms out there and countless combinations so feel free to lob in any thoughts you have. I am all ears and open minded.
Many thanks,
- ...
- 35 posts total
@puppyt , auditioning tonearms is not necessary. They work well or not by design. The best tonearms are still pivoted offset arms, 9", very stiff, with separate vertical and horizontal bearings arranged so that the arm is neutral (not stable) balance. Magnetic antiskate devices are superior. Avoid unipivot arms like the plague. Examples of arms I would consider buying are the Reed 2G, the Triplanar, the Zuzma 4 Point 9, the Schroder CB and the Origin live Enterprise. I personally chose the Schroder CB. There are two new arms that break all the rules. They are the Schroder LT, The Reed 5A and the Reed 5T. I am strongly considering the Schroder LT. All these arms will handily fit on your turntable and they range from $4K to $20K so as always it comes down to how much you care to spend. |
If you're a one cartridge guy then I think it's simply how a particular tonearm/ cartridge sounds in your system. But if you in the future turn out to want or buy multiple cartridges then Tri-planar and Graham with it's changeable wand would be a less aggravating choice along with "on the fly" VTA, azimuth, damping adjustments.will make it quicker change. I guess it would be a future investment in a quicker change-over. the what I believe would be a irritating process when all you want to do is listen to how this or that cartridge would sound. |
I really appreciate all of the suggestions and commentary; this is extremely helpful. I ended up getting the Kuzma 4Point9 paired with my existing Lyra Delos.I haven’t been able to put in a lot of listening hours yet but so far, to my ears, it sounds a little harsh. I’m not really conversant in all of the audiophile terminology but I would say it is revealing, maybe too much so. It seems like everything is pushed forward a bit. Not sure how to describe it. Can a tonearm be “bright” or “warm”? I do suffer from tinnitus and since introducing this tonearm it seems to have ramped up more than normal while listening. |
Lyra's are described by users as being Transparent and some might say are on the lean side of the scale. The new TA might be less in the way and allowing this trait of the Cart's design to be perceived as an increased presence. What does seem to be able to add to the 'Harsh' is the 6922's in the Chinook. When Tube Rolling using perfectly matched 6922's and E88CC's, there were 6922's used that could be described as 'nails on a Chalkboard' as a comparison to other Tubes used. The TA, may have improved the Signal Sent, which in turn is enabling the Tubes to show of more of their own sonic offerings. If the ideal is to lean further towards a Rich Tone on the scale, a SUT and Tube exchange might become the method to achieve this. , |
- 35 posts total