Comparison of sonic qualities of some tonearms

Seriously, neither one of us wanted to go through mounting and unmounting both fancy cartridges twice. And I've since found that the Zyx Uni is not happy on the Safir so it wouldn't have yielded much benefit anyway. The Zyx can't seem to track very well on the high mass arm.  Franc Kuzma says it shouldn't matter but apparently it does. 

I do miss the 4 point especially for the headshells and I'm setting up my old turntable mainly so I can make use of that tonearm. To be honest I was surprised at the distance between the two arms. But that's what I heard. 

@lewm Thanks for the note. I mistakenly thought you were talking about azimuth. Since I use a LT, it’s not so much of an issue for me - assuming that the cantilever is straight, which is a lot more obvious and a lot easier than azimuth.

@jollytinker You noticed a difference between cartridge arm combinations., not tonearms. The MSL would have sounded better in the 4 Point and much the same as it sounded in the Saphir with perhaps better bas due to the Saphirs very high EF. As you discovered, many cartridges will not be comfortable in the Saphir. Add a little mass to the 4 Point and you will get the same results. Add mass to any good arm and you will get the same results. 

@terry9 I love being "someone else."

This is one point I disagree with Peter on who I have the utmost respect for. You adjust azimuth by eye. I use to use a mirror, now I use the Smartractor which has a dandy magnifier. The stylus has to be perfectly upright in the groove.  The sonic difference between +- a few degrees is essentially inaudible but with some stylus profiles +- a few degrees might accelerate both stylus and record wear. Examples would be the replicant 100, GygerS and Soundsmith MR. The stylus used by both Lyra and MSL is more forgiving. The Soundsmith OCL Stylus also fits in the later group. 

@pindac Ouch! That is way to serious for an audio discussion. This is not a Dis-Ease. It is a fun hobby for people who love music. If it makes up your sole purpose in life that would be unfortunate. Right now I am going back to making my wife's master bathroom vanity. In the shop I listen to 4 old Mirage speakers powered by Adcom and digital streaming. Since I have to wear hearing protection for the machines the volume is always turned hysterically high. I guarantee I am the noisiest person you have ever met. 

I agree with Mijostyn on azimuth adjustment. The reference for support for that view is Korf, and the consequence is that usually no azimuth adjustment from 90 degrees is necessary. Which means tonearms and headshells that do not incorporate azimuth adjustment are suddenly ok. Who woulda thunkit?

Understand, in my in depth listen, we contended w different arms / tables and carts, so you had fewer variables…. Enjoy the music and the journey