Schroeder Reference Arm

Thom, your last paragraph hits right on the point. Next to meeting and talking with everyone, I'm hoping to hear some new cartridges for myself in a more relaxed, informal setting. Like the A90, for instance. I'd almost vote to not hear a ZYX, Dynavector, or Lyra. Not that these aren't excellent cartridges, but I've heard them all before. Completely selfish motive on my part. :-)

I'm sure you'll have some outstanding electronics in the mix.

Dear Hiho, I have had the Kuzma 4Point and sold it last autumn. It really is well executed and have some strong design points going with it. From it's outlook it may not appeal to all, but in many ways it is a form-follows-function- as well as a true no-nonsense-design. However it is lacking the kind of internet-following and support enjoyed by so many other tonearms today. Guess it is just a bit to little voodoo and hype around this Kuzma product. Too much down-to-earth and down-to-physics. As for it's sound - very relaxed, smooth and with a very wide and expanded soundstage. For my taste just to little "bite" and dynamic slam (but then I miss that all to often ...) and a touch too relaxed in the sonic performance. This may be credited to the damping fluid(s) and is certainly not a feature of its geometry nor technical execution. In summary a tonearm I would strongly consider today if I were looking for a pivot tonearm suitable to most of today's top-flight cartridges.

Dear Thom,
Sorry for taking the discussion in a slightly different direction,but could not resist.
You mentioned that the point[this concerns the screw that
passes through the slot at the end of the Schroder arms]
of looseness where the sound really harmonises, is on-off
with the no 2, and easier to find the sweet spot with the wooden arms,wood being softer.
Question is ,has any of your customers tried some type of washer maybe plastic or rubber on that screw to delete a metal to metal contact.
Finding the spot can be quite tricky sometimes days, after
any kind of adjustment to cartridge grometry.
Maybe Frank has some thoughts on this all important adjustment.
Thank you all.

None of my customers has reported trying to add another material interface between the cartridge carrier and the headshell on Schroeders. I think this is what you're referring to.

It's a simple thing to try if you're interested. The effects will be dramatic, and my guess is for the worse.

I've made changes as "minor" as replacing metal washers with nylon ones on a Tri-Planar, and the reproduction became blurred and uninvolving.

Ths washers were between the mounting screw head and the top of the headshell and NOT on the underside of the headshell (between cartridge and headshell).

Even with the cartridge still still mating up directly with the bottom of the headshell, the sound fell off dramatically, no matter how firmly I torqued the screws..

Frank has told me that the only disadvantage of the alloy headshell on the Model-2 (vs. the wood DPS & Reference) is that alloy construction makes it more difficult to find the torque sweet spot than with the wood headshell models.

Once you achieve the right torque, there's no difference between the alloy and wood headshells, according to Frank.

If I were going to try anything with a Model-2, I'd expereiment with thin pieces of hardwood, but I'd be prepared to try many different woods before coming to any conclusions.

One problem you'll face, will be in matching the screw length so that it engages with the carrier but does not protrude past the bottom of it - interfering with the cartridge mating to the carrier.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Hi Thom,
Sorry, I just ran into this thread again and would like to add two things. First:
"Once you achieve the right torque, there's no difference between the alloy and wood headshells, according to Frank."
You must have misunderstood what I meant. There is a difference which stems from the different material interface and varying the torque, aka increasing or decreasing contact pressure is an important factor, but NOT the only one.
Using a, say, Nylon washer between the screw head and the headshell on a No.2 arm will give you a wider torque "range", but the headshell-mounting plate will remain pretty much uncompressible(unlike the wooden headhell-mounting plate contact area).
I've had customer who tried the Cartridge Man Isolator with either Reference or No. 2 arms. Some liked it better, others thought it decreased dynamic range.

Secondly:
I have nothing against using the same cart in both arms, but since you expressed a disliking for Lyra cartridges and I'm not super fond of the old Dyna XV-1s(since it imparts too much of it's own sonic fingerprint, imho) we may be able to agree upon the Ortofon A90, if I can get a sample for the show. If not, I'll be bringing what I like which may be a selection of several carts so I can pick what I feel suits the system in your room best. If Joel does the same, the comparison will be reflecting what each of us likes best.
Hopefully fun for everyone...

Cheers,

Frank