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12" Tonearm What Have You Heard & Recommend?

OK, SME just came out with their 312S 12" beauty. It is a three series.... at $2200. Anybody had an opportunity to hear this yet? What about anything else you have experienced in the past classic or "Legend" status? I am looking for candidates for my Garrard 301 project with a custom plinth with a high fun per dollar ratio. Possibly with a London Decca super gold....What cha' got there tonemaster?
jomoinc
thomasheisig
568 posts
 
When you want to have the most BftB*, then there is only one choice:

DaVinci Audio 12" Grandezza Arm

(*Bang for the Buck)
bigbucks5
184 posts
 
"DaVinci Audio 12" Grandezza Arm"

Maybe, but in the USA it is hugely expensive...more than a Schroeder Reference, I think.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,002 posts
 
Dear Thomas: I don't agree with you about the Davinci tonearm but this does not matter what really matter is that the Ikeda tonearm is a great match for the Decca cartridge that Jomoinc has in his mind. Can you asure that the Davinci is a better match?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Based on my friend's NEW VPI-12.6,replacing a superb linear tracker,I must admit to being quite disappointed.The sound is fairly good in the bass,but the sense of ease is gone!Extended,thin highs,giving a faulty(IMO,only)sense of detail.Some can(do) consider this detailed sound.
Also,there is a constant azimuth "twisting" as the lp plays.Sort of a "tick tocking" action.So far this has not been corrected,and the bearing housing has no fluid damping,to stabilize this.
Yet we are hopeful this will be corrected in time.By an experienced "VPI" 'phile,hopefully.
johnnantais
621 posts
 
Easy: put the damping fluid in the housing, it makes a world of difference, the bass simply not there without it. Also makes it behave physically.
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