Comparison of sonic qualities of some tonearms


I’m relatively new to the world of vinyl, listening seriously for probably only 2 years.  Of course, many big picture items (e.g. turntable, phono stage, cartridges) are discussed extensively on this forum, but I haven’t seen much discussion comparing different tonearms.  I would be interested to hear about different people’s experiences with different tonearms, mentioning the audible advantages and disadvantages of each tonearm, realizing that there is no perfect sound, although from what I read about others’ experiences, SAT tonearms may come closest, albeit at a very high price.  

drbond

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 

I just read Raul’s post, the one that the OP and some others found to be upsetting. If you would put your hurt feelings aside, you might see the truth that underlies his comments. Really he is saying what I say too, only in greater detail and backed by more listening experience. It takes a lot of patience and time to be able to say with confidence that one good tonearm is better than another good tonearm, and even then the outcome is not free of caveats.

Sorry gents, but I hear +/- a fraction of a degree of azimuth in my system. Caveats: classical, revealing music from pristine US cleaned records; LT air tonearm with adjustments +/- 20 microns in 2D, acting over a 250mm shaft of 20mm steel. Thus may mileage vary.

Dear @lewm @mijostyn : Yes, several of us are talking of almost the same but the OP who posted:

 

" on the Helix, and the differences are dramatic, so I would imagine that for just about all tonearms..."

that comment it’s not even anecdotic, To be that way he needs to share first which of those 2 tonearms was the winner, which cartridges used for his comparisons, which LPs tracks were used for the test, at what SPLs he listened with all cartridges and which differences were the ones that he listened in each of those LPs tracks he used and the kind of alignment he used in the non LT tonearm.

 

The OP is asking for " something " that not even him did it not showed/shared here.

@drbond what’s up down there down your comparisons?

 

I think he needs to be serious about.

 

R.