Kleos Sibilance

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.

Hi Geoch,

I enjoied the 12" Reed 3Q on my Raven One but probably I wasn't prepared to the 12" sound .. or to the Ziricote armwand sound .. or the BenzLP with that armwand sound..
I didn't love the additional warm spread on the whole frequencies spectrum
By the way I'm super happy about the result of the Graham Phantom - Benz LP on my TT.
I found this result much more natural and balanced to my ears .. the Graham is faster than the 12" Reed and helps the Benz to trace better than the Reed .. even if I obviously used the Mint for both.
Probably is a compatibility issue.

Curio :
"the Graham is faster than the 12" Reed and helps the Benz to trace better than the Reed"
Maybe it is so, I'm glad that you have found the best arm for your Benz LP. Actually I think the particular arm may well be the best allrounder for most cartridges and thus the safest bet with the minimum risk. Although I must insist that the energy between this cartridge & the arm's headshell is minimum. By this logic you could probably stay lower to your budget, but I agree for your choice of this elevated quality as you can always install almost everything you wish to your Phantom II in the future.
In my set-up the Phantom II was more linear (in the risk of sounding lean) and maybe more neutral-accurate (completely uncolored in the border of being bland) in comparison for my taste, while the Reed 3Q has a fleshy & organic ID (wood tube?) with equal precision (maybe due to it's 12" armtube) and I witness a more delight tonality & by this a more exciting performance overall with my Condor & Goldfinger. Of course I remind you that my priorities in audio are strictly focused to an emotionally oriented performance (and not invisible or perfectly achromatic components as I see no reason for a monitoring listening, let alone that there are not exist such items).
So : Idler drive TT, DHT SET, Full-Range Horns for me & my vicious audio appetite, although I cannot but congratulate you for your new reference caliber tonearm. (The trackability test is an unmistakable indicator for quality & compatibility. The tonality of course is another subject)
Take care & enjoy your system.