SRA change from 140g to 180g

Hi, i haven't been one to fool with vta to much. I have a setting for 200 and
180 gram etc and kind of stick to that. Well, listening to a new speakers
corner lp i just got, sounded a little lame...moved the arm down a little and it
really opens up. (Using a TriPlanar)

You can almost go mad with all the vinyl tweaking possible !

Syntax, you're almost saying the arm is more important-maybe not that
strongly? Or possibly a easily adjustable arm...

Glai: any comments on the tri vs graham? is it more of a system matching
thing for you or a improvement? You've had some nice arms...

In terms of ergonomic, the magnetic azimuth is easier to adjust. The VTF adjustment is tiny bit easier as it screw in and out on the threaded shaft. As I have two Grahams on different tables, I can switch wands and carts betw tables easier. The triplanar is difficult to use with peripheral ring as the bottom of the wand would bump against the ring towards the inner half of the record.

The downside on the GRaham is one connection at the wand and another at the din cable.

As far as sonics, the triplanar is slightly warmer more coherent sound. The Graham counters with faster transient, more focus and bass punch. With cart that send a lot of energy into the arm, Graham can produce some treble glare. This arm relies on damping fluid to damp resonance. I prefer other type of damping or dissipation: via arm material, gimbal bearing , magnetic flux. I think I am over stating the point as this is nonissue for me on most carts.

I would add the Graham is more easily upset by floor bounce and suboptimal azimuth adjustment. I think this may be due to the unipivot design which lends the highly focused sound. I can see and hear the Graham wobbles for very short time when it is initially placed into the groove ( not a drop). The minus K platform also improve the Graham more than the gimbal bearing designs ( triplanar, davinci, TW 10.5). I cannot confirm whether this is purely due to design choice as I have only had Grahams unipivots. I have not had audiocraft or talea.

I also find the Graham extraordinarily sensitive to VTA adjustment. If my math is correct, 1mm record thickeness difference would yield 0.19 degree change in SRA on 12 inch arm vs 0.25 degree change on 9inch graham. 0.06 difference would be inconsequential.

I do set by ear. However, I like to gain geometric understanding to help me appreciate the designs.

Anyone can confirm the calculations? I am very far from my high school days.

Glai, thanks for the comments-appreciate it. Mid last year you posted several times regarding the Spiral Groove Centroid arm. Did you ever try that or explore this option?

You r welcome. I have not tried the centroid but feel that it should be at least competitive with the graham. I am waiting to see how the SG2 perform first.