Replace OL Illustrious 3 with Graham 2.2?

They are quite inexpensive right now and that was my reasoning.

In an active secondary market comprised of knowledgeable buyers and sellers, a piece of equipmnent that retains a relatively low percentage of its original price is likely to perform:
a) better than average
b) worse than average
c) on American Idol

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That said, is the new tape drive system a big upgrade?

Read the thread I linked. No one who's tried it has failed to hear improvements.

BTW, I'm using a clear one now. (The black one broke)

Good. The (2 mil) clear tape was a nice upgrade over the (1 mil) black. You're now just two steps from state of the art. Whatever you heard from the switch to the clear tape, you'll hear more of.

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As you're running the TT on AC power, I'd recommend the battery option from Teres. Batteries eliminate dirty power problems better than any power cord.

If you do, skip the Teres-supplied battery and buy a heftier Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) type. (We actually use two, our TT probably has more cold-cranking amps than my Land Rover! LOL.) AGM batteries are safe and hold their charge practically forever when disconnected, which we do when not listening. Ours only need recharging once or twice a year. We leave our charger disconnected, which further lowers the noise floor.

A big AGM battery's large plate surfaces and mat-stabilized gel electrolyte supply electricity fast enough to push the motor through transients with minimal power lags; AC oomph without the noise and distortion.

Our 320 matches our CDP for transient speed and betters its dynamics, bass depth and clarity. Of course there's no comparison when it comes to a low sound floor.

Doug. I never intended to give the idea that the CDP sounded better than the Teres. However, my exuberance over the improvements which the Oyaide R1 AC outlet brought to the cdp did come through. I'm surprised the cdp sounds as good as it does. However, the TT was not getting the benefit of the outlet. I hadn't realized that at my OP.

That said, I have worked some with the TT. But mostly with the preamp. I plugged the JLTi into the Oyaide as well which helped. But then I got the idea that since the designer of the preamp, Allen Wright, advocates 47K loading, i thought I'd try it. Whoa. More energy and sound stage.

I am running battery power now. Are you saying the battery you suggested would be a sonic upgrade or a maintenance upgrade? IOW's buy that one when this one goes bad?

I am going to try to find the mylar tape later this afternoon. I've read enough of the thread to know what is necessary to make the tapes. Is there a place online to buy all the stuff necessary if my hunt fails this afternoon?

Also, The main reason for asking about the 2.2 was because I have always felt as if I had to compromise on the arm when I bought the TT. I spent all my $$$ on it and could not swing a better arm at the time. It seems that the majority are using Triplanars or Schroeders or other higher end arms. I do not have experience with other arms except those which I have had on previous tables. I live in flyover country and do not get to hear other systems. I like the simplicity of The OL and it seems to do a good job. But I hadn't got around to asking Chris about it.

BTW, I like your quiz

Info on tape source. Enough to last a lifetime.

mylar streamers

you want part #6033665. 1/2" x 100' holographic mylar.

My opinion on the 2.2 is close to Doug's. Your table is far better than the 2.2 can manage.

How about a nice, used Triplanar VII?

Thanks for the link Dan Ed.

The guy I bought the TT from had a triplanar on it but finances did not permit. I had to sneak the OL illustrious in the house. I got a very good deal on it and what few reviews I read gave it much praise. at the time Chris had a list of compatible(sounding good) arms on his website and OL was one of them.

I'd like to have a Triplanar but I really need to back off of upgrades, especially now that my wife says "Please build the room". She wants her LR without stereo gear. Also her mother is getting old and we may have to take her in. I'll need a hiding place then. PLUS, with a dedicated room, I can play my music loud after 9PM. I usually get my 2nd breath at 8:30

Dan Ed? A question about your equipment racks. The racks are fashioned after the ones on Chris Brady's site I believe. Are you using a sand box under each component as shown on Chris' site?
Thanks