Need tonearm advice for Clearaudio Innovation Wood


I bought a Clearaudio Innovation Wood Compact which came with the armboard for the Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm but no arm.
I am reluctant to buy a uni-pivot arm because of the apparent need for constant set up and the chance of cartridge damage if/when I set it up incorrectly.
I can't spend a bundle on an arm/cart at this time and don't really know enough about it all to make the right choice. Uni-pivots sound like the best sounding nightmare out there, and maybe the bad might outweigh the good.
Ultimately I want two arms for 33/45s and a second for 78s.
I'm thinking $1000 or so for an arm and $500 for a cartridge.
What would work with the Clearaudio armboard?
I'm into blues, jazz, and world music mostly.


guitarslimjunior
Manitunc...

The Audiomods is $1300 before tax and shipping here in Canada.. so do you thing it is worth the $600.00 plus tax more than a new aluminum Clearaudio Satisfy?
Thanks in advance.
Steve
Stanwal...

How close does the effective length need to be as the Jelco is not 222mm like the Clearaudio.. thoughts?
Thanks,
steve
Whether it is worth it or not is not something I can answer for you. It is worth it for me as it is extremely well built using the best bearings available and a micrometer VTA adjuster that allows easy, repeatable settings of VTA. Now,I dont change VTA once it is set for a particular cartridge, but having an easy way to do it makes it more likely that the VTA will be set properly. Plus, I like the fact that that Audiomod is the work of a single individual making the best product he can. I'm sure the Satisfy is a good tonearm, and will probably give you excellent service, but I think we are comparing apples and oranges. I see the Audiomods as more closely related to a Triplanar and the Satisfy more like a Rega 300 or Jelco. All good stuff, but not in the same class. Based on what cartridge you may chose, the Satisfy may be good enough, but the Audiomods can be adjusted for any cartridge through its mass loading inserts for the headshell. Its just a well thought out product.
09-10-11: Guitarslimjunior
Rockitman.. I was hoping you would answer as you actually have the same TT... thank you. Plan on keeping the Universal when you get the new table?


Yes, I will always keep the Universal. I will use it on the upcoming Master Innovation coming out near the end of the year. It will allow for 3 arms, since the motor is no longer on the plinth pod, like the current Innovation models. So I suspect a new arm or two for different flavors will be in my future.
THE REST OF THE STORY. Stanwal sorry about you experience with the linear tracking air bearing arm with pencil directions. I was relatively new to analog almost three years ago when I bought the TransFi Linear tracking air bearing arm from Vic. The directions were great, the service after sale was great and the music is great. It replaced a fully modified Rega RB 300 - it is in a different league, YMMV.