Graham Phantom vs. Phantom II

Downunder, please read March 5th, 2007- by Wayne Garcia, The Absolute Sound review or maybe you have. I too questioned Conrad Mas about this very thing and like I said previously, he acknowledged that the Magneglide system seemed to play well on the table. The table is bought without an arm, so I would guess it has little bearing on what Mr. Mas prefers. Like you say, if it's not British there is the import issue. I do find the Avid to be lively, far from bright though and it also smokes my old loaded Lp12 (less a Keel) dynamically and the bottom end is better detailed through my OTL MA-1 Silvers. Presently I have a new SME V with a silver litz wire made and fitted ti the arm by Kondo-san. The SME is nice but a shade dark and I feel it doesn't fully reveal the Scan-Tech cartridge I'm currently running. The SME has a reputation that hasn't thoroughly left me impressed at this point. Having much history (7 years?) with a 2.2 and Lyra Helikon combo on a home engineered, rigid/mass loaded, belt drive table, I feel the Phantom II would be the next step for me. Funny thing, the Naim Aro on a full blown Lp12, for me left the impression that the Aro was more Like the 2.2 or even a 1.5 than a SME, Just my opinion. In the end, you may well be spot on yet, I think the promise of it working and interchangeable wands and all, is so tempting ...and if not, I will find a table to compliment the new arm.

Happy Listening!

Well,I owned(loved and miss dearly)a 2.0 and 2.2.

I also had the Phantom I and II,but for too short a time.

In any event these are all superb arms,and imo the Phantom is better than the "final" 2.2,but not as much as you'd think.

Just one man's opinion-:)

Dear Downunder, there is much truth in your comment......... much more thruth than most want to hear or know.
BTW - nice set-up.
Never forget who was and is the one, real and only King !

Appreciable sonic difference between the final design of the Graham 2.2 , original Phantom and the Phantom II would hinge on the ability of the turntable itself to reveal these differences, be it small or large.
Including the ability of associated equiptment and above all ones own experience in this hobby....

I for one do have high regard for Syntax's approach to a system including his opinion here of the Phantom arms.
Overall the components that he bought, set up in his system, evaluated, dismissed, then list on his page speaks volumes to his approach.

Btw,Stilty(and I'm "not" rying to be contrary)....

I "did" set up all of those arms,on multiple times,in multiple systems.All pretty much sota set ups...so...

Yes,there is an increase in performance(between the arms)as one moves up the table of model designations,and time periods of design...but...

these improvements are "not nearly as large"(though obviously audible) as we like to make them seem.That is simply my own observation about things audio.

You can change out a tube or almost anyother component or chachka,and get a similar result.

It is fairly common with many components,not specific to these great(and they are that good) arms.I LOVE the Graham stuff,btw.

Anyway,I think there is a certain "something" about just listening to,and enjoying music that counters the "need" to have to get that "last degree" of "whatever".One reason why highe end audio is on a downward spiral,sadly.Not enough new blood,who are willing to spend the cashola.

I TOTALLY understand your "correct" asessment of these arms' differences,but I'd say in the long run it does not really matter,once a certain level of sonic bliss is had.

In the boutique acoustic guitar world,each and every instrument is very different from oneanother,and each is voiced differently.

Different wood combinations,different scale lengths etc,so there is NO "one" standard of accuracy.

Yet,each player understands this,and lauds the differences.Even respects a different sonic vibe,from whatever he,himself, is playing.

So,I say we are knocking ourselves out,trying to shoot for the last vestige of accuracy.It does not exist!

Each component in the chain(so long as they "do" meet a good standard)will change the total vibe of the syatem,and it's up to the owner to voice it.Then stay off websites like this(habit forming)and have a nice glass of wine,while enjoying your record collection -:)

Hmm,looks like I have not changed mush either!Another one of my long winded rants.... -:)

Good luck