ZYX Airy2-X-SB on Graham 2.2

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Jeff,
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I had the chance to hear the Airy2, Airy3 and UNIverse on the same weekend in my system which includes a Graham 2.2 and it was with the SB option. Personally, I would go with the SB option. I would be afraid to get the Airy2 without the SB option. I think this one is a no-brainer.
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If I were you, I would spring for the UNIverse if you can handle it from the financial side. As good as the Airy2 is, the UNIverse is just spectacular and would be a HUGE upgrade for you system and you would be set for a long, long time. It might be the best cartridge out there at any price.....
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Rgds,
Larry
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Hi Jeff,

With or without the weight your vertical and lateral resonances would be fine, somewhere between 9.3 and 11.7 Hz. For optimal resonance behavior you could safely go either way. So much for math...

Most other cartridges weigh about what a weighted Airy2 does, 8.6g or so, so the weight shouldn't present any particular challenge for warp tracking.

While I haven't heard an unweighted Airy, I believe you'll get better sound with the weight. The biggest knock on the Airy2 is that on some arms it can be a bit shy on dynamic punch, particularly if VTF or VTA aren't precisely right. The weighted Airy2 I heard on the Graham 2.2 did NOT have this problem, but an unweighted Airy2 might. The effect would be similar to removing Twl's famous HIFI mod from a Rega or OL arm. The cartridge would more easily "wag" the arm on big transients, so energy that should be converted to electrical signal in the motors would instead be wasted as mechanical movement of the tonearm.

In short, I'd want the weight for that arm/cartridge.

Regards,
Doug

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Jeff,
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First off, Doug did a great job of explaining what I was alluding to with regards the effect of the weight of the SB option.
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Secondly, you could consider the Airy3 if you would like greater dynamics more punch and more detail. The Airy3 was too edgy for me to live with in my system. The UNIverse had all of the detail, speed and dynamics and then some of the Airy3 but without the hard edge and brightness.
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Depending on what you are looking for the Airy3 could be an improvement for you, but it also could be to bright and overwhelming if your system is a bit forward/dynamic and your sonic preference leans toward warm / sweet. Keep in mind that the UNIverse is a dramatic step up over the Airy3
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Rgds,
Larry
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Larry, Doug mentions in his review of the ZYX cartridges that the Graham 2.2 might not be able to control the Airy3 as well as it does the Airy2. Is this what you mean by the "Airy3 was too edgy in my system"? Don't think Doug would mind if I quote him here:

"The Airy3 is more energetic. The maker says he redesigned the magnets to give the Airy3 more “freedom” without sacrificing any of the Airy2's neutrality. He succeeded. The Airy3 on our Tri-Planar let the music kick us in the chest and frighten those poor cats. Bass guitar and drums were as rockin’ as with any cartridge I’ve heard...It was too much for the Graham 2.2, however. Despite all efforts at damping the sound was a bit edgy. As usual, it’s all about synergy. This experience suggests the Airy3 will be most rewarding on very stable arms like the Tri-Planar, Moerch DP-6 or perhaps a top SME."

Based only on what you guys are saying, and I respect your views, in my system which will soon include the Graham 2.2, the choice seems to be Airy2 or UNIVerse. This is if I want the extra punch and detail of the Airy3 without the edginess it might have on a Graham 2.2.