Tri-planar vs Graham

In a way, I agree with Doug. If you've got something that's very good already, there is much more to be gained by optimizing its performance than by starting over with something else that is also very good but built on a completely different design philosophy (unipivot vs gimbal). As for me, I bought my Triplanar in the early 90s, had it upgraded along the way, and am very happy with it. If you already owned a Phantom, I would say keep the Phantom. You're comparing a very good apple with a very good orange.

Thanks for all the responses. Doug is correct - I hadn't even heard the Triplanar and was already wondering about the Graham because I probably read to much into some of the threads here. This wasn't so much about gear lust or desiring something new but wanting reassurance that synergy wasn't going to be an issue. I've made some huge mistakes when it comes to synergy...

In any case, I adore the Tri-planar. I've had it for a few weeks now and while awaiting the table I explored it and got familar with it the best I could. Yesterday I set it up on my new Raven One and was blown away by how easy it is to adjust the various parameters (e.g. you can adjust azimuth without messing up VTF). I was not impressed by the setup instructions and had to cry out for help (many thanks to Jeff at High Water Sound and Doug Deacon for coming to my rescue).

In any case, I've crossed a threshold in terms of analog performance. With my fairly quick alignment (adjusted the cartridge ONCE and once only - that alone should tell you a lot), zero damping, middle of the road VTF/VTA I finally listened last night and my jaw dropped. What I heard was right up there with the some of the best sounding systems I have ever heard. I finally heard beautiful extended highs full of detail. Overall frequency balance was wonderful and all instruments sounded tonally spot on. I could turn up the volume without any grain or harshness. I guess I never really 'heard' an XV-1s before. I admit I'm shocked to find a table and arm could make this much difference. I can only imagine what it'll sound like when I get it setup properly.

I'm pretty close to being 'done' with the wanderlust. I have hours in front of me packing up gear that I've sold or need to sell. My basement feels like a warehouse and I'm tired. But I've finally got a system that gives me enjoyment (both digitially and analog) and apart from deciding between two preamps and some interconnects, I think I'm done.

Oh and Thom: you've been very gracious and always given me great advice - I've been meaning to thank you.

Oh and Thom: you've been very gracious and always given me great advice - I've been meaning to thank you.
Madfloyd

send him a bloody nice email & graciously thank him for all the free help he has selflessly offered you. :-) IMHO the situation demands it. Don't thank him BTW in a 1-liner at the end of your post. It certainly looks very "by the way" which his help was not! ;-)
Thanx.

This wasn't so much about gear lust or desiring something new but wanting reassurance that synergy wasn't going to be an issue. I've made some huge mistakes when it comes to synergy...

Getting synergies right is vitally important and can be difficult, as you say. Paul and I have been very lucky in that respect, but if you've suffered through expensive mishaps I understand your desire for reassurance.

As you now hear, there are no synergy issues between XV-1S and TriPlanar. Dan_Ed and others with that combo could attest to that, as I could from hearing the combo in several systems. There are certainly no issues between the Raven and a TriPlanar (or any other arm, probably).

I admit I'm shocked to find a table and arm could make this much difference.

:-) :-) :-)

Table and phono stage first
Tonearm a close second
Cartridge a distant third

This has always been the appropriate upgrade order and probably always will be. Linn has been saying so for 30 years. The number of people who mistakenly believe they will get first class sound just by dropping a first class cartridge onto a second class rig seems to be innumerable - though it just dropped by one. ;-)

Glad to hear you're happy and finally getting sound you enjoy. It may be a bit disappointing to have ditched a first class preamp for a second class one due to problems which had nothing to do with the preamp, but I agree you should enjoy the new front end and work to optimize/maximize it before you go there again. Among other things, your MintLP, when it arrives, should provide another clear upgrade from the alignment you probably achieved in that single effort with the stock protractor.

As Nick says, enjoy music, tolerate equipment!

Hi Doug,

It may be a bit disappointing to have ditched a first class preamp for a second class one due to problems which had nothing to do with the preamp,

To which preamps (make and model)do you refer? Do you think their performance is in absolute terms or system (Ian's) dependent? I know that Ian did recently change his amps and perhaps the old preamp was simply a mismatch.

The Dynavector XV-1s/TriPlanar/Raven should be a very good combination once set-up properly with the MINT Tractor. Congratulations Ian and enjoy that new front-end.