ZYX Airy2-X-SB on Graham 2.2

.
Jeff,
.
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.
.
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.....
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

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

.
Jeff,
.
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.
.
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.
.
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
.
Rgds,
Larry
.

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.

.
Jeff,
.
Doug and I actually listened together to all 3 cartridges on my system which included the Graham 2.2 with a couple of other friends and we all had pretty much the same opinions of the Airy2, Airy3 and UNIverse. We all felt the UNIverse was by far the best, the Airy2 was smoother and more pleasant than the Airy3, and the Airy3 was quicker, had more energy, more dynamic than the Airy2.
.
There are people that are quite happy with their Airy3 in their systems. A lot of the subjectivity of which cartridge is more suitable for you is system, music style (rock, classical, jazz, vocal) preference and sonic preference dependant. My preference has been for great detail without brightness or a hard leading edge (or too energetic to quote Doug). The Air3 was just too much energy for me and the warmth and musicality was overridden by the hard edges and energy (but that is not everyone’s reaction).
.
If the UNIverse is anywhere close to what your budget will allow, the fool proof decision is to get the UNIverse. It really brings a ton of upgrade to your system. BUy a UNIverse and you will be done with buying cartridges until the UNIverse wears out and then you will probably just buy another to replace it.
.
I have been with 8 different serious audiophiles with great ears for extended listening sessions and they all felt that the UNIverse was one of the best if not the best cartridge that they have heard. It is just magical and transporting in what it can bring to the music. It does it all. I have also spoken with a few others by phone and there is a complete consensus on how great this cartridge is.
.
The Graham 2.2 is a great tonearm in many ways and I enjoy mine tremendously, but the match made in heaven is the Schroder Reference and the UNIverse.
.
I would be happy to speak with you by phone this weekend. Just email me off line and we can organize to talk either on Saturday or Sunday.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.