Is it worth this tonearm?

Peter- Great choice. I can't say anything about your table, but the rest of the set-up should be killer! Congrats. As you know, the Doshi/Tri-P/ZYX combo works very well (as does VAC/Schroeder/ZYX). The Schroeders also have dedicated phono leads and I think that there is a big advantage (at least theoretically) in removing any mechanical connections which must have a significant impact on that tiny signal from an LO MC cart. So given all that, I would have made the same choice as you did, if I'd thought that the $$ were worthwhile. For me, analog is still a secondary source, so I could not justify the $$ for a new Tri-P (and missed out on a few used ones). There was a very modest cost savings in buying a used Schroeder. The marketplace has determined that the time savings are more important. The M2 I bought was far and away the most expensive used purchase I have made as a percentage of new price. New SMEs are discounted much more! I have no complaints either; I listen to blues, folk, country, rock and pop mostly, with some jazz and an emphasis on smaller scale, simpler arrangements featuring vocals and acoustic instruments. For that kind of music, communicating emotion, true timber and subtle micro-dynamics are key and I think that the M2 does a fantastic job. But when I spin my discs on Doug and Paul's rig, they all sound great. Enjoy!!!

Hi Peter,

From your description it sounds like you and I were in the same frame of mind before making the Tri purchase. I listen to pretty much the same music that you list. I can tell you that I've been very happy with my Tri purchase and use it for my reference arm/cart setup. I don't adjust VTA except for changes in record weight, or if it is some jazz LPs, or classical recordings. The Tri makes it very easy and repeatable, and I'm guessing that you'll find yourself making more changes than you originally anticipated.

Michael, that M2 must be a great step up from the Origin arm! Good on ya'!

Mariasplunge

a doshi pre - yes you are really doing this right
as others stated - you'll be tuning in the vta on the triplanar with great results
(our honorable doug has a nice writeup on this)

I'm three days away from doing that myself
I've had my triplanar and universe since january
the universe is on a nottingham arm spacedeck table
Thom Mackris has had my arm for fitting for a few weeks
and the table arrives this week

if you don't have a viable record cleaner
by all means buy a loricraft
it will help you extract all that magic
and keep your records pristine

welcome to the world of high end analog

Hi Dan- Yeah the M2 is quite a step up; the music just flows. Still need to make some minor tweaks to deal with occasional mistracking on highs. For its price the Silver is a real over-achiever, but I also think the M2 falls into the same category. It was/is a bit finicky/scary to set up w/o an arm rest of fingerlift (ask Doug, he did the heavy lifting; I did the worrying.) I'm glad the ZYX does not have a nude cantiliver like my Benz did. That would be beyond scary.

Audiotomb,
Look forward to a report when your table arrives. Which did you get? it has been interesting to me to note how different tables sound. Including the high-mass vs. suspension tables. It still amazes me that tables actually will sound different. I geuss I am still use to CDP's where the sound is noticably different.
Swampwalker, thanks for your vote of confidence. I looked up your system recently. Very nice. I like what your going after. The VAC was second on my list for a pre. If I had had the funds then, I would have purchased that used one that came up a little while ago. How do you like it. From the description you gave, I am assuming very much. And fine point about the dedicated tonearm cable. Does the Schroeder work on the same principle?
I've never heard of lorcraft rcord cleaners. I just assumed VPI was the way to go. Can you tell me some more audiotomb. How oftern do you clean your records? Whats the process like? Which cleaning fliud do you use? That part of the vinyl world is still a mystery to me!

Cheers,
Peter