Schroeder vs. Triplanar VII Sonic Differences

Just a bit of perspective. I'm used to Project, Rega and Vector tonearms. Fotzing is inherent with these arms so I've learned to accept it and look for techniques to make each task simpler and as repeatable as possible. Personally, I can live with just about any arm since I've built a set of tools to make most any adjustment I need to regardless of what the arm has built into it.

I do admit that there is an ease to use of arms like the 2.2, except for the issue of tuning the fluid as you guys have mentioned. I still have not taken my Triplanar out of the box but I can see that there are similarities in some adjustments to the 2.2. The issue of the VTA "slop" does not concern me as I liken it to the same issue I have when I use a pipe or cresent wrench. You learn to feel for the engagement of the teeth. This is much more known to me than the technique of adjusting things by ear which takes time and experience to learn. For me that is an issue no matter what arm I use.

I think I'm just re-inforcing what Thom posted before. To paraphrase, the "right" arm is the arm that works best for you. I'm still having fun fotzing with all the arms I can get my hands on. That's not to say that I don't listen to a boat load of music while I'm at it.

BTW, I'm breaking my silence here. I'll be in Denver the week of May 13, 14 if anyone would like to join in. All the plans are not finalized yet, but it will be a great time.

SirSpeedy,

Your assertion (now repeated) that these adjustments require "fotzing around all afternoon" is simply not true. Returning to a precise VTA number or fine-tweaking VTF takes 3 seconds, not all afternoon. To state otherwise serves no froggly purpose.

You knew this once, though you may have forgotten. These flaws and the simple fixes for them were addressed on the TriPlanar Tips thread, to which you yourself contributed.

Dougy,it seems you want to create some kind of "thing" regarding some of my comments.Please don't cross every "T",and dot every damn "I",when I mention something.
I don't think it would have been such a "stretch",to figure out that my comment about fotzing around,for an afternoon,was ONLY when one is NOT used to something,as in just obtaining it.Obviously,as with anything,it is no big deal,and can be done quickly,as time passes and we become familiar with "whatever" product we choose to focus on.But a fairly new owner has to learn a bit,before they can become as competent as you.-NO?-That's how I believe you should have interpreted my comment!That was my intent.
As of now I'm sorry I even mentioned it!Sort of feels like the "old days".

In an effort to be fair,I purposely mentioned some warts I believe my arm has,so as to disarm any potential criticism,and allude to the fact that I was trying to simply make a benign comment,about your beloved Triplaner.
In the future I'll be much more guarded about any comments,and of course won't respond to stupid stuff,like "it made our ears bleed",and "maybe the cleaning crew threw the anti-skate off"!Oh,I forgot,I never did respond to those!!
BTW-I view you as a passionate hobbyist that loves to "rap the hobby",and a very nice guy(same goes for you Paul).Please don't feel I'm trying to disrespect you,or create a bad vibe.

Best regards!

Well, after reading all those mails, let's be honest: Every opinion will vary on the setting of each Arm. Each has it's one strengths and honestly, maybe a few weaks. It is the point of view from everyone now, to select. But, at the end of the day, when the hype is gone and we will go to bed, what's more important, to fell asleep with the feeling that the cartridge is properly adjusted or with the feeling, "I have the most hyped arm but I have absolutely no idea about the right setting, maybe I try it again tomorrow" and"...." the next "..." and the following day.... and next ".&%$$§§".. next and then I give up.



I'm honest, I don't have the nerves for this kind of problems and the Triplanar is simple and easy going for set up and the King of all is the new Graham Phantom. And when this one is fitted with a first rate Phono lead, then it's a killer. No, and believe me, no Arm here in this discussion has a chance to its dynamic, holographic speed. And the delivered info is first rate.

Taste is different, I know, but this Arm works ALWAYS, in EVERY condition and once you made the set up, you can forget all about that. When you don't like what you hear, then it is not a problem from the arm, then it's what you hear from your System.



And my opinion about Demos: It's Entertainment, when I want to push an Arm for example, then I screw the best cartridge from the available ones below it, connect it to the best Phono stage among the available ones and that's it.



Happy Listening.

Thomas,

Bob Graham gets an A+ at recommending his new Phantom B-44 arm. From all reviews and accounts it is a top flight arm. Since you have direct experience with it, the Triplanar 7 and a Schroeder all on an incredible TT, can you give us a first hand account of how it compares sonically to those in question?

Thanks in advance.