the perfect tonearm

Any tonearm can only be considered "best" is it meets your needs; be that compatibility with your preferred cartridge or deck, method of mounting, or price.

For the cartridges and decks I prefer, I would have to say that the new Ortofon TA-110 ($1,599) and TA-210 ($1,899) tonearms are exceptional performers at their respective price points.

The new Funk F-XR II.

"The GCPH should have enough gain for a mid-output MC, I think. And can you say why you think the NAD amp is causing hum in that system? Phono hum is caused by a long list of grounding issues that usually occur upstream from the input of a linestage."

Agree. I have a GCPH and discovered you often need a ground wire between it and the tonearm. Also, do not put the spade around the GCPH ground post, put one arm of the spade THROUGH the hole (or use bare wire through the hole) in the GCPH ground post and tighten the nut by hand.

Y'all be cool,
Robert

Regarding Orsonic AV-101B/S being 16 gr, would that be one of the heaviest headshell? Any heavier one (except Ortofon SPU)?

The Perfect tonearm is the Graham Phantom Supreme for so many reasons....