Graham Phantom Elite vs. AS Aquilar

@pindac , I see the Agile at £10.5 on the OL site, but your point is well-taken, that continued research and home auditions might yield a tonearm that I like more than my Graham for much less. What did you end up preferring to your SME IV, if I may ask?

The TA I use now that has Superseded in my case a SME IV and a Audiomods Series Five Micrometer, is not limited to myself only as one who prefers it.

The model is a fully re-designed Audio Technica AT 1010, where all mechanical interfaces are addressed using the highest quality materials produced to extremely tight tolerances.

After a period of trials with a variety of Wire Types. The Signal Path is also addressed by the removal of some of the connections, as well as using, a very rarely seen in use wire for this role as the Wand Wire.

This re-designed model, is produced in the UK, by a very skilled mechanical engineer, specialising in micro engineering and electronics.

The design has received a healthy following in the UK and has extended to now being used by Vinyl Users in many Countries.

The model is in use in the US (Washington), Australia, as well as mainland Europe.

This is a model that is with users who have had very well known High End Tonearms and has been the TA to Supersede the use of them any further.

Beyond the design, the additional attraction is that it does not break the bank to have the experience of this TA.

I know enough about the design to offer up a decent description, but that is not my place. If additional info is of interest, I can help via a PM.

Thank you for the information and PM offer. I'll look into the Audiomods and ping you if I have questions. Much appreciated.

When selecting the SME IV arm, the V was also a TA demo'd as a comparison.

On this day of comparison (many many years passed) on the TT's used and System, in the environment it was carried out, there was not enough recognised between the two TA's to suggest there was a real benefit on offer from the V.

Hence, I have purchased the IV.

Many years later, I had formed the view the Audiomods Series Five Micrometer would be a back door route to getting a improved TT over the SME IV. 

This was not realised, they are much of a muchness, they both share designs that were born from mimicking another Tonearm Brands design and produce very similar sonic signatures.

I have come to describe the sonic signature today, as a comparison to the new in use TA, as being quite constrained, they are seemingly on a leash, and restrictive in how the music is allowed a freedom.

Only when the music being presented as totally free and uninhibited can a fair comparison be made, I have no desire to return to believing a expensive Cart' is being limited to what is able to offer.

It is the experiencing the new TA, that has encouraged me to assess all TA's I come across that are of a certain value. To try and understand what is going on under the hood, that enables the TA to present music with a perception there is a perfect mechanical interface allowing for a presentation that is seemingly without constraint caused by the design. 

Another friend has produced a TA which is soon to be put through a rigorous comparison trial, against a selection of TA's, including my New TA, IV and Series Five. Others are also to be loaned for the Comparisons.

A DD TT has had a Dual TA Plinth produced.

My owned LOMC Cart' and one other of the same model, are available both with similar hours of usage.

I have followed the development of this TA, and been demo'd it in use on its way to becoming a working Prototype.

At a certain stage, it showed all that I find desirable in a TA, and has these qualities honed further now it is a Batch Produced TA, almost ready to be offered as a sale item.

I am also suggesting that some of the Batch Produced Arms are swapped during the comparisons to determine if the sonic produced is being mimicked across the Batch.

It is myself who has been instrumental in encouraging the preparations and offering suggestions for the above comparisons, the TA's designer/builder appreciates the ideas, as learning exactly what you have goes a very long way.

Once these comparisons are over, there will be a period where Different Signal Wires are used on the New TA and used in a comparison to the TA that has made the best impression of the TA's made available for the comparison line up.

I have one last wish list, I am encouraging experiencing the New TA, used as a underhung Geometry. I have a itch that I would like to be scratched on this subject. Having a first hand experience, will for me be much more beneficial than letting the math and endless anti arguments decide, if there is merit in this configuration for setting a TA up. 

Dear @wrm57  : "  the Phantom Supreme on the same same ’table--actually the same two ’tables--over the course of several years. I found the Phantom Supreme to be better--more resolving, more energetic, less colored--so I sold the Triplanar and bought a second Graham, a Phantom III. "

More resolving?, well normally the ideal tonearm must has not any " coloration "/sound by it self and are the cartridges mated with the ones with what we like it.

Certainly that your Graham tonearms and your cartridges mated very well to even your MUSIC reproduction targets and no one but you in your room/system can know if the other tonearm could be a good mates too.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.