tonearm match ZYX Universe Moerch and Triplanar

Hi All,

I'd take my existing budget, pick up the Triplanar from Mehran and spend whatever is left on the cartridge. If this means backing off on the Universe for 6 months or a year, it is still the right decision.

A cartridge is a consumable item, whereas if you purchase a Triplanar, Schröder, SME, Breuer, etc. you could easily be happy for the rest of your life. With these arms, there are subtle differences, and I'm sure you'd prefer one over the other if you heard them all.

I can't predict which of these arms you'd fall in love with, as your tastes as well as turntable would have a large effect on your opinion. The Moerch is a very fine tonearm but it is not quite in the league of the aforementioned arms, and I can't imagine your picking ahead of any of them. This is not merely about the Triplanar's adjustability - it's about the Triplanar's superior sonics.

I have no vested interest in this, other than to have one of Mehran's customers make the right decision.

I've posted fairly recently in this forum on the turntable setup hierarchy ('table, then arm, then cartridge). You can click this link for one of my rants on this forum if you're interested.

The second half of the post addresses the hierarchy. The first half is a bit ... off the wall. Guilty as charged.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

The ZYX Universe has very extended treble response. More than most cartridges. This is a good thing but on some LPs can be excesive & bright. In addition, it can be excited on some arms depending on VTA and VTF. If you feel I should readjust VTA & VTF for each record I am against such procedures. If the arm is not damped enough it can excite the Universe. Thomas, if you tell me the Universe is good in all the arms you tried yours is different than mine and a few others that I have been given feedback of. Also, then you have the truly perfect cartridge for any arm. In my opinion the damping and control of the arm is important in determining the ringing of of the cartridge. I would suggest you read responses on this forum of the Universe match well or not w. the Graham 2.2.. In addition, I think the Ikeda does not allow the ZYX to image at its best. The Schroder is the best of most world but not all but on most LPs. There is no absolute.

thom

funny you should mention moving up to the triplanar and table first arm second cartridge third
because I was looking at just that in the last few days

I was initially set on getting a triplanar but was informed it was like putting racing tires on a cadillac with my spacedeck - hence the Moerch option

the triplanar's adjustible vta was very alluring to me, and a key factor is synergy. Ithought it would match well will the ZYX

since I was already making major upgrades to phono pre, cartridge and arm I decided not to let the table or arm be the limiting factor

I am considering the Amazon Model One
those who use it with the tripanar have very good synergy

If you can afford the Triplanar it will work well even on a cheap turntable and better than a cheaper arm.

I run the ZYX Universe on the Triplanar and it is unstoppable. Records that I thought were noisy are quiet and records that I thought were damaged are not. Very detailed, very relaxed and I have found to get the most out of it the Triplanar's VTA adjustment system is really helpful.

Audiotomb, I smiled when I read your post because the Amazon design was optimized using the Moerch!

The Spacedeck is a good entry level table and the Amazon is better, if not the best at its price point. I would suggest you decide what is important to you sonically, and you take some challenging LPs to a number of different vendors and hear what they have to offer within your budget.

Amazon/Moerch/Zyx will give you detail and delicacy in spades (like a veil was removed compared to your Spacedeck) but you may find something lacking over time.