VPI 10.5 vs Graham 2.2

Hi Sid (and everyone)...I did the test on both my cartridgers....Here we go! FIRST please understand...I am an tech "no-no". I can only listen well. Set up and adjustments must be very easy for me so that is key. Anyway: The Benz m2 passed #6.....on #7 is started to hum....so we know that was not good. Off went the cartridge and arm wand and on to the Helikon (here is where TWL will smile). When I put to stylus on track #6 the cartridge went sailing to the spindle. Yep!! Then I put on an album (MECO Star Wars album- great album and lots of fun)...well towards the end the cartridge started to skip...So if figured an anti-skate problem...... I go and twist the arm-cable and I try it again. OK it works....The I put on the HR-Test record...Well this time it stayed in the groove...but #6 hummed!!!!!
The funny thing is that on regular records, both cartridges sounds fantastic?
So this is why I am now considering a new arm or table or cartridge or all three. I plan to go to a dealer today and try the HR record there....I just want to make sure there is a set up that can negotiate these tracks....
Anyway........Can some one tell me (KISS-keep it simple((stupit)) what measurement numbers I should look for in an arm and cartridge that matches...in other words high compliance (what is the number????) High or low mass arms (what numbers indicate that) what cartridges work best with what arms??? TWL, you were very helpful, but I am unfamiliar with the Origin line and more familiar with VPI and Graham...so I lean towards them (but interested in your suggestion). I also love the idea that I can change arm wands on the VPI and (I believe ) the Graham. The VPI can also adjust VTA easily...(can the Graham??) Albert, your last comment about the Graham scared me.......!
Thanks all for your support and advice and I look forward to your comments....you have always been very, very helpful!!
by Rwd

You skiped on track 6! That isn't right. I can paly through 6 without any problem. How many turns did you twist the wire?

Rwd, I think the Graham is a fine arm, and is worthy of your choice, if you want to stay with a unipivot. It is IMO, the most stable of the unipivots, and has a much better chance of performing with these low compliance cartridges. It is pricey, but has a wonderful performance record.

If you wanted to try an OL Illustrious, I would bet that a OL dealer would be accomodating, in providing one for evaluation. They do not have much exposure, and the dealers would likely be happy to let you try one out. You would have to get an arm mounting board that is suitable for it from VPI, to try it out however. I think that they use the same cutout as the Rega arms. Perhaps an OL dealer that also carries VPI would have one of these along with the arm. That could make it possible for you to try one of these out on your table and compare it to the Graham. I would be very interested in hearing about a comparison like this, using the Helikon. If you decide to try this, please let us know about your impressions.

The other thing I would like to mention, is that the Helikon is known to have some tracking issues, and may never track as well as the Benz, no matter what the arm. It is also known to be a little "lean" in the bass, and harmonic structure, which may be exacerbated by the unipivots, of which none have the bass response comparing with something like the SME V or Origin Live arms. So I am additionally concerned that pairing the Helikon with a unipivot will be "leaner" in bass response than it would in other arms. If your system has any tendency towards "lean-ness" of bass, or "brightness", at all, this may not be the best combination of products for you. The Graham is better in this aspect, but it will not equal the bass response of something like the SME V. Unipivots excel at midrange and some in the high end also. Bass response is not their strong point. Pairing them with a "lean" cartridge is potentially problematic for this reason. With a Graham arm, I think that a ZYX R-100FS Fuji would be an excellent combination. The Fuji has a higher compliance that would stress the arm less, and has better overall frequency balance, better detail, more delicate, and costs about the same as a Helikon. And does not have the tracking issues of the Helikon, nor the "lean" tonal balance. This would be something to try out, IMO.

So I recommend the Graham arm and ZYX Fuji as one possible combination. And the Origin Live Illustrious and a Shelter 901 as another combination. One is a unipivot combo, the other a gimbal bearing combo. I believe that either of these combinations will noticeably exceed the performance you have gotten thus far. Each of these combinations is properly matched for resonance and compliance suitabilty, and will perform at, or very near, the best possible performance from any analog arm/cart combos. One of the OL dealers advertising on Audiogon, is a OL and Shelter dealer.

Thank you ALL for your advice.....
First off, Sid, I can't recall how many times I twisted the arm wire but it is now in a non looped or curved design (I assume this is what VPI want it to look like?)? Anyway, I tried track 6 and it worked.....Track 7 did not.
As to TWL's comments, my system is a bit warm and has deep base so I think we can go with the Graham/Helikon. I will, however, investigate the Origin arm that you suggested.
I do have another question to you all...I believe Basis is coming out with their own arm (Vector????) anyone know anything about this????
I have another question, but will probably start another thread on it tonight (got to go Christmas shopping)!!!!

RWD, I have read some very positive things about the Basis Vector, but can't comment on any personal experience with it.