Schroeder vs. Triplanar VII Sonic Differences

Doug,

Maybe your question about my preference for Science or Art was rhetorical, but I'll answer it anyway. I'm actually an engineer/scientist so I do appreciate deliniating the individual sub-components of the music's fabric. I tend to favor highly engineered and scientifically worked out solutions. I've beem listening to CD for the last 20 years after abondoning analog. Then again, I was listening to a Technics player in those days. Through extensive modifications to my Wadia CD player by GNSC combined with the incredible capabilites of Virtual Dynamicss cables, I feel that I'm getting the best of both worlds in terms of detail/dynamics and timral/natural musical realisim. I'm attempting to achieve this same combo in an analog system but to an overall higher degree.

Now at night, I'm probably leaning towards art...howerver, the engineer in me is never fully surpressed. Therefore, sounds like I am looking for the best of both worlds.

Andrew

...if a properly set up Schroeder Model 2 comes close to the Triplanar VII then I might put the price difference towards a better cartridge.

I guess that depends on what you call "close". The Model 2 is a great arm for the money, but to my ears there's a large gap between it and the Reference/TriPlanar level. Cartridges come and go but certain tonearms can be forever. The Ref and the TP are two of those.

I value timbral accuracy but I want to make sure that the Schroeder does not give up much in the areas of dynamics, energy, detail, bass response, etc.

They really are very close, at least with the ZYX UNIverses we used for comparison. As ThomasHeisig said the TriPlanar does win in those dynamics/energy areas, but not by very much.

Thom's suggestion that you choose based on which design makes you feel more comfortable was very sensible. With any top arm you'll have to work it to get the best from it.

I wasn't aware of some QC issues with Triplanar. Hopefully this gets worked out.

These shouldn't scare anyone off too much. Once the arm's working right it should work right forever. Mine had a minor cueing drift issue when new. I DIY'd a simple fix (simpler than Chris Brady's suggested mod) and three years later I'd still never trade it for any pivoting arm I've heard.

P.S. to Swampwalker
Thanks for the nice words. Believe it or not, what you heard then was fairly lame compared to what we hear now, thanks to our new amp and preamp. Our TT's back up and running and we're ready for that preamp party whenever you are. Let me know!

I read somewhere that the agreement between Herb Papier that granted Tri Mai the rights to manufacture the Triplanar arm specified that the design could not be changed for a certain number of years. Perhaps this is why the design seems frozen for the time being.

I've heard really nice setups with the Schroeder arm. It certainly is promising. But, it too is a handmade item that takes a lot of patience. I know of several people that had to wait about nine months or so. It may not be as backordered now, but I believe that one friend is still waiting after about five or so months. Patience is required for stuff like this.

I am running the Schroeder reference / ZYX Universe combo and the dynamics, energy, detail and bass response does not seem to suffer at all. I have not done a comparison with the Triplanar on the same system so I cannot comment how they may compare but you are not missing much in dynamics with the Schroeder. After an initial understanding of the basics of the arm I find it very simple to set up. With small adjustments made very easily. The parts are of the highest quality and finish and fit on mine was flawless. Unfortunately there is ususally a significant wait to get one.