Graham tonearm tweaking

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Sirspeedy,
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I am grateful that your table has been out of your hands for a while. Otherwise, you would not have had the time to write all you have in the last couple of weeks or so and we would not have the benefit of your experience and insights.
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Nice job on your posts and thanks for the time and effort you put into them.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Thanks for the gratitude! Believe me,it has been my great pleasure to discuss this matter. Nobody,and I have many audio friends,some owning 2.2's,some JMW,Air Tangent,Immedia etc.Nobody helped me as I am the only guy in my little club that has 16.00 in tolls to get to my house,so visits are not too frequent.

That is one reason I am so down on the "audio experts" in the highly visible press.They are,to a great degree,just "FREAKIN'" hobbyists,like you and me.They are taken way too seriously.This topic should have been discussed on plenty of occassions in the mags!As John Belushi would have said "But,NOOOO!" these guys are to busy shilling stuff they really know little about other than they "WANT" it at a discount.Why do you think someone becomes an audio journalist( I know quite a few,at arms length,thank GOD).For the salary,ha! My pal YODA made dreck as a reviewer.He did it out of "LOVE" for the music/hobby.He owns 22 year old speakers that today's "YUPPIE Young Pishers" would not look at,to their loss.

Larry,Doug,and the rest of those whose set-ups I've seen descriptions of.If you really think what you own is not at least 98.787% of the "reviewers choice" stuff It's time to take up photography or better yet,tennis,as I'll be moving to Florida in 2 years.We can have a good hit.

I recently went to two high line audio homes in NYC.One a rich hobbyist with too much money.Never keeping anything long enough to learn how to set it up properly.300,000.00 worth of,literally, the worst sound I've ever heard.I took a day off in anticipation.I left about 45 minutes later.The reference material? KODO drums!!MAN!!

A week later I was at a former high line audio mag reviewer's home.This was only 250,000.00 worth of stuff.This guy LOVED himself.I wouldn't dare to mention what I owned.He would have sneered me out of his "Robbon Chair".Truthfully,it did sound good,but had the worst mid bass bloat I had ever heard in any set-up.This is a person recommending to us,the masses,how we should spend our money!!My pal,YODA,with a set-up averaging about 10 years old per unit,has IMO Dead Perfection in virtually every area I can think of.Why?He could care less about "BUZZ" stuff.His own set of standards are unwavering.

I hope I'm not coming off like I myself am some kind of self important snob.I know nothing.Then I see true experience,like my pal Sid.I do know that there are "TONS" of GREAT set-ups out there.I've heard alot.I love all different types of audio presentations in differing systems.There is no such thing as a reviewers choice,just a hobbyists personal prefference.

Doug,as for your comments about the "lack of resolution" in the Graham's VTA adjustment,compared to the Wheaton.I owned a Wheaton for 4 years.You do realize the Graham's scale is set for much smaller adjustments(as in more precise).Think LEICA here.There should be NO problem when adjusting on the fly,if everything is set properly.

Also,Doug--That really was great stuff on the damping differences in different arms.You really are a true "expert",and it is obvious.I'm serious!!

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Sirspeedy,
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Where do you live now (city?) and to what part of Florida are you planning to move (assuming that you were serious) ?
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Rgds,
Larry
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Larry. I currently reside in NJ.My parents,in-laws,and a multitude of cousins all reside in "DOLPHINS" Country.I plan to move to the Southern FLA. region some time in the next 2 to 3 years,at the latest.I'll always be a JET fan though!!

Also.I realize I've done way too much "Bloviating" and bashing of some "Connected" and/or industry types.I really got too carried away with this.I have a big mouth,and should have shut up!!I'm really sorry!!Someone on another post,very politely mentioned that I seemed to be harboring a hidden agenda.Looking at that thought,I have to agree and feel like a "YUTZ"!!Who the heck am I anyway?Maybe I'm suffering from analog withdrawal!!

Larry,My pal (AIR TANGENT) just had his second Titan cartridge failure in one year.He's pretty bummed out and told me this eve. that he is going to start considering alternatives.He has good experienced friends to aid him here.I did,however,give him a big pitch on the ZYX-Univ. that you are raving about.

What he asked me was, what were the previous cartridges you have owned.I had sent him copies of the Arthur Salvatore comments,and this peaked his interest,however he is a VERY sceptical person.Especially when it comes to new "RAVE" products.I did my best to peak his interest,but he has his own methodology that I don't dare to mess with.

Please do not have anyone try to send any e-mails or any sales pitches.I know you love the UNIV. and I totally believe what you hear,as you describe it.This is just the way it has to be, for me to simply give to him another "VALID" alternative to those cartridges that are considered "REAL FRONTRUNNERS".He has lots of friends with alot of experience in vinyl,but,the ZYX stuff is new to us,and I'm giving the UNIV.a real pitch that has his interest somewhat peaked.

So,as I originally stated could you list those cartridges that preceeded it.Anyone else owning the ZYX stuff,please list previous cartridges if you care to.Thank you all very much!!

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Sirspeedy,
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Please let me know when you finally make your move to South Florida or you are down here for a visit.
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I was a dyed in the wool Jet fan growing up and when I arrived in Florida. I remained a huge Jet fan for a couple of years, but the Jet fans down here were such a turn off (quite different than the N.Y. / N.J. fans) and the Dolphins were such a great organization to follow, that I have been a die hard Dolphin fan for the past 25 years.
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In my system I have owned or heard the following cartridges (on my Graham 2.2, listed in an increasing order of preference):

Shelter 901
Koetsu Urushi
Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum
ZYX Airy3
ZYX Airy2
ZYX UNIverse
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(Special note...the Airy2 was my preference over the Airy3. The Airy3 had much more detail and dynamics but was a bit too bright in my system/room.
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There are plenty of people that prefer the Airy3 to the Airy2. My room being too bright made for not a good paring with the dynamic Airy3. Getting to work on my room is my next major project to get settled.
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In addition, the Airy2 was a major upgrade over my wonderful Koetsu RSP but the UNIverse is, well…….. several stratospheres up from the Airy2.
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I hope the Doug Deacon weighs in here as well, but I would tell you that I am yet to find another person who did not think that the UNIverse was the best cartridge that they had heard by a wide margin.
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I would be happy to speak with your friend. Email me off line and we can organize that if he has an interest.
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Rgds,
Larry
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