Why is the price of new tonearms so high

D in a world without the 64 and 66s what would you use?

Perrew,
a very good question I say.
My best guess would be: ***a good CD player*** -- no arguments about 'socks' and resonances either :-)

Hi Perrew, it certainly would depend on the cartridge I want to use/listen to.
If the cartridge of choice would be any of the Lyras, Dynavectors, Koetus, Phase Tech or similar (means : medium to high compliance - most top-flight cartridges today do belong in this group) I would most certainly go for the MAX-282 or EA-10 as these would be the most versatile 12" tonearms and both are dynamically balanced and both can handle any cartridge weight.
I would go for the 12" versions whenever possible because of simple advantage in geometry (yes,... I know.... others have other favourites and do not see the big advantage in 12" vs 10" or 9").
But I see - and hear - it.
I would always go for a dynamically balanced tonearm ( the physic advantage is again obvious and beyond serious discussion (in real world applications as well as in the theoretical - again: if others have different opinions ... fine with me, I neither want to "know" nor "learn" their point of view. That is way past me.).

So - yes, it comes down to these two very similar designs.
Not because they are vintage, but because they are the most versatile and do offer the 2 key design features I know will give superior results and sound.

Cheers,
D.

Hi Axel, great idea !!
Go carry on - you are certainly on the right path.
Musing and watching,
D.

Dear Perrew, 'all' and 'some' are quantififyers and very
risky to use as refering expressions. So there are 'some'
tonearms that are new,very good,but not 'so high in price'.
For example: Reed L (www.turntable.lt) that I bought for
+/- 1500 E (with a base).
Regards,
Nandric