Kleos Sibilance

01-06-11: Goatwuss
I don't believe the RB1000 has adjustable VTA. If I decided to move forward with that arm, I would probably go with the shim-based approach. Once I get VTA roughed in for an arm/cartridge I don't usually mess with it too much, and I can buy R. Gandy's position that the increased rigidify is more important than more easily adjustable VTA.

While rigidity is important, having fixed VTA/SRA you just can't extract everything that's possible from cartridges with exotic line contact stylii.
Perhaps most of your records are the same thickness(?), but mine are all over the place.
IMO having fixed VTA is like having a camera with no adjustment for focus. YMMV.

I only adjust VTA/SRA to compensate for record thickness. It can be really surprising how much adjustment is required to maintain a static VTA over different records - which can be easily set/verified with the Phantom arm's micropoise level.

Thanks Goatwuss. Orbe sounds well thoughtout.

Tobes, looked at your system, bet that updated TNT with the Phantom is quite nice.

I am with Tobes on the VTA issue. Some of Rega's design decisions do not make sense to me. Wish the VTA was easier to set on the 309. It is similar to the arm on my Perspective (someday I need to get the cart lead I broke repaired and put a spare cart on that) in the way you raise the back of the arm and then tighten something. The JMW Sig has a knurled knob you turn then tighten two allen heads.

Not to go too far off topic - but my understanding is that several mm of difference in tonearm base height only changes SRA by fractions of a degree. I know that others have had different experiences, but I have not heard these minute changes in SRA angle make a major difference to the quality of sound.

There's still time, I suppose, but for me it's pretty far down my laundry list of things to worry about!

Anyway I'm not in a mood to argue about this and I hope to enjoy your Benz LP with your Technoarm. - Geoch -

Hi Geoch,

Maybe you didn't notice but I changed the Michell Tecnoarm for the Graham Phantom MKII

Hi Curio,
Congrats. Excellent allround choice.
I compare these 2 but I purchase the Reed 3Q in favor for a 12" once that I keep my Pluto 9A as a good representative 9.5"
I've tend to prefer pivoted arms over unipivots but I like my cartridge to stand at the edge of effervescence in transient speed, resolving power & inner detail. Somehow I feel that the pivoted arms & especially 12" can manage to handle the overtones of these cartridges (Condor-XPP-Goldfinger) in a more secure & effective manner. What I discover is that the personal taste in cartridges may apply also to the tonearms.
(ie) : I have found that the highly regarded Triplanar has the same influence to my ears as the Benz LP. It is far more "relaxed" that I like.
I don't know why I have always to apologise for my findings.
My choices are reflecting my personal taste and I've never use our forum like a playground or a battle field.
Regards and have a nice day.