Graham Phantom Elite vs. AS Aquilar


Who has spent time with either--or preferably both--of these two 10-inch arms? They check in around the same price-point and offer many similar features. I'd greatly appreciate feedback on sonics and overall user impressions.

I've been running Grahams for years, so I'm very familiar with their ergonomics. How does the Aquilar stack up? On paper it looks similar in adjustability, but what about in actual use? I'd love to hear from folks with experience.

Thanks in advance.

 

wrm57

Long live antiquated tube amp tech!

The EPA-100 arrived yesterday. Mijo is right, it is a jewel-like looker. I’ll drill out an armboard and mount it this weekend. We’ll see how it sounds with an equally-antiquated (yet NOS) ADC TRX2 on a yet more antiquated Lenco (albeit updated by Jean Nantias and speed-controlled by Phoenix Engineering).

Mijo would prefer the original AR XA tonearm over the EPA100, given his druthers. Because the former tonearm more closely adheres to the various tonearm engineering gospels and based on his now 40 years ago listening experiences that took place in a hifi store, of all bad places in which to form an opinion about audio equipment.

@wrm57  : Then you own the original, latter on ADC improved the cartridge with a better cantilever: berylium that was the latest TRX2.

 I never heard this one.

 

R.