Graham Phantom vs Triplaner

Sirspeedy i always wanted a Leica but had to settlle for a Pentax. I had an older SME 3009 series 3 and was still using it. And in the modern era a VPI 10.5i.

Tri Planar 7 is one for the ages. I had my SME for 30 plus years. I know now Tri Planar will be the last tone arm I will ever need.

It still amazes me when i drop the needle and hear absolutely no distortion. I am still going through my new lp collection one at a time. Awesome and more.

Sirspeedy,

I have followed this forum with great interest because I am considering a second turntable in my system, the first being a Walker turntable with a Linear tracking arm.

The Triplanar and the Phantom are high on my the short list of arms I am considering.

Throughout this wonderful dialog, the results are fairly evenly divided between both arms making it difficult to draw a conclusion... and you have made it clear you prefer the graham. But in your last comment you go back to salute the triplanar as the leica of tonearms, quite a comment, that makes me think you are not 100 % sure that the graham was the right choice!

So I will serve up the question one more time, with the finest associated equiptment-great tone arm wire, and Air Tight or Titan or Koetsu assuming everything is top draw, what is the best sounding arm between these two heavyweights.

Logenn,I am not someone who likes only one product.I am a true fan of many fine designs(like Leica,which I always wanted too,but got a Cannon).If someone asks me a question about a product I own,hopefully I can give some meaningful feedback.BUT I am no authority!!A hobbyist,only.
OK,so about your question....I LOVE the Phantom.I like the fact that it has only one mechanical contact point,in this "seemingly new" very sharp bearing.It sounds amazingly like an air bearing design(which I KNOW,from experience sounds fabulous,and no resonances riding along with music).My MAIN reason for getting it,other than performance and familiarity,was economic.Sorry!!
I previously had owned the 2.2,and had the armboard drilled for a Graham,already.Also,I had the IC-70 arm wire.Of course,my friend went from the 2.2 and got a Phantom,so I knew the benefits of moving that way.
Yet,I know (I had one some time ago)that the Triplanar is a fabulous arm(why can't I like it too?),mainly due to "amazingly good word of mouth"(not unlike the Phantom)and it has been further refined.
So,my suggestion is to look at the design(of whatever you like),check out the design parameters that make it a viable product,and compare it's attributes to other contenders.What seems like the most plausible choice,based on the design brief?
That's how I do it,which is fairly logical,I think.
Good luck

Audiofeil I know you advocate the tonearm ahead of the cartridge and after hearing the effects of the Continuum Copperhead on the sound I can achieve, I can understand why you think so.
However where we differ is in the superb improvements in sound that one can achieve with a better cartridge in a 'decent' arm?
The effect of running the ZYX Universe in a Hadcock GH228 was just as astounding as moving up to the Copperhead.
What is your opinion of the Schroeder arms?
The magnetic unipivot principle seems very attractive at first but I have real doubts about it?
I'm convinced that one can induce movement at the pivot point by merely pushing back and forth on the arm.
That must translate into 'lost' information and would account for the descriptions of the Schroeder as 'warm and tubelike'....'relaxed' etc.
In other words I see the Schroeders as potential 'tone-controls' rather than SOTA tonearms?

halcro

Fremer reviews the copperhead and the cheaper TT in the current mnth Stereophile.

Just need to wait til my copy arrives