Teres, Galibier and Redpoint

Thanks for the waring, Larry. That's very interesting. So, are the Airys less compliant or is this possibly something that might be improved with the extra headshell weight? I was impressed with both the Dynavector and UNIverse. They each seem to have a characteristic over the other. The Dyna seems a tad more dynamic and the UNI seems to have more of a neutral tone.

Dan,
So which Galibier did you decide on? What was your thinking on the various models vs. costs, and how it would mate w/your 2 arms? Sounds like you'll end up with a winner either way. Cheers,

Spencer

Dan,

Congrats on your decision and thanks for sharing your journey with us. I expect Thom's table will keep you spinning and smiling for many years, perhaps forever.

I believe Thom's shipping account with UPS has a mileage limit, and that NH is just beyond it. As a practical matter you could have him ship the table to us in CT. You could pick it up at your convenience of course, after I've done a thorough same-system A/B of course! <:~)

Our Airy 2/3 review mentioned exactly what Larry just warned you about. The Airy 3/Graham 2.2 combo was too excitable from the upper mids on up. Four of us spent an entire day trying to tame it, to no avail. Mehran does have happy Airy 3/Graham 2.2 owners, so it may have been something else in the system , but no other cartridge I've heard on Larry's Graham was so problematic.

The specific design goal for the Airy 3 was "greater freedom" than the Airy 2, which is neutral but rather "polite". The Airy 3 does provide far greater freedom (ie, dynamics), but it needs a well controlled arm. A TriPlanar will control the Airy 3, just.

If most of your vinyl listening is rock I'd be wary of the Airy 2. You might find it too tame. If the UNIverse is out of reach, an Airy 3/TriPlanar will provide ZYX's famed neutrality and also rock the house.

Get the SB option no matter which ZYX you choose. It will help on either of your arms. Consider the silver coils if you want a tiny bit of smoothing on leading edge mids and highs. (Like a Koetsu, but not as much.) Choose copper coils if you want crisper, more natural and more dynamic transient responses.

I've actually not heard a cartridge I like on Larry's 2.2. Maybe follow SirSpeedy's lead and try a Transfiguration? He seems very happy with that combo.

Dan,I cannot tell you how glad I am for you.I know the wonderful feeling of being able to make a buying decision for something we consider "special"!
It seems those special feelings were much more common when we were all kids.Remember when you got something you really wanted,for a long time?When you were about ten years old?Incredible RUSH of joy,back then!!Now those special moments don't come as often,yet you surely will have yours soon.You deserve all the fun/great moments that will be heading your way.
Now go get some more great vinyl!!

Best!

Dan...my congratulations again on a very difficult decision. As I said to you this morning, your decision has helped me also in focusing on my vinyl journey as well.

Hey Sirspeedy...so well put....about those feeling of being 10 years old and getting something you longed for!!!! For me at 10 it was the Marx "Fort Apache" set. Now I want the Schroder/Teres/Galibier/Tri-Planer toy set!!! But seriously, I think we all owe a special thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread and especially to Dan_ed for taking the lead with this special trip. I suspect this is not over....no...I suspect this thread will continue just like a great novel. WE are just finished with one chapter. There are many more.......there's the "dougdeacon" and "cello" and "Xsheaffer" and so on, chapters......and also my chapter. I still need to decide on a new TT, arm (shoot, why sooooooo long for the Schroder) and new cartridge.

Again, Dan, thanks and congratulations!!!!!