Recommendation for a second arm/cartridge combo

i own the "anniversary" version of the maximum solution, with synchro and all the other available bits. for my second arm/cartridge, i've chosen the graham 2.2 with a benz lp MONO. as a collector of mono, especially early jazz and rock (e.g., beatles) recordings, i find this combination to be quite practical and clearly superior to just another stereo pairing.

my first arm/cartridge is the graham phantom/koetsu burma jade.

listen mostly to jazz (about 50%), followed by classical (about 30%), then an even split between classic rock and country. I like the idea of the Graham Phantom as the main, then the 2.2 as the secondary due primarily to the ease of setup and my familiarity with Graham. However, I would welcome recommendations on other brands/types as well as cartridge matching. I'm looking to spend about $7k on the arm/cartridge combo but have some flexibility.

Cornfedboy, you probably have the 'anniversary' edition of the Master Solution since you're using it with the Synchro. The Maximum solution has 3 motors and comes with the C/A APG motor controller. Question: How do you switch from listening to one arm to the the other, do you just remove/reconnect the 5-pin DIN connector from one arm to the other? How do you deal with the phonostage in terms of load and output? Unless the Benz and Koetzu have similar load requirements and output specifications, wouldn't you have to make adjustments to the phonostage everytime you switch (not a problem with some preamps, i.e., Manley or Rhea, as they are easily adjustable)? Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Ca2284,
$7K will easily purchase an arm/cart that will relegate your 2.2/Victory H to the #2 spot. You might as well move them to the back armboard now, just to make room! ;-)

If you want a Schroeder Ref there's no better choice, though it would leave you only $1500 for a cartridge. That's not a horrible idea - top arms are for life, cartridges are for a few thousand hours. If you don't mind being somewhat unbalanced in favor of the arm for a while, put a ZYX R100 Fuji or Shelter 901 on the Ref. You won't hear everything the Schroeder is capable of, but the cartridge will sing like no Fuji or 901 ever sang before. You will probably upgrade to a top cartridge in the future, since there's no limit to what a Schroeder Ref deserves to be paired with. Whatever you do, don't listen to a Schroeder Ref/ZYX UNIverse until you have $10-11K to spend. Hear that combo once and you're doomed.

If you want a closer balance between arm and cart then I'd recommend a Schroeder DPS or TriPlanar VII paired with a ZYX Airy 3.

The Schroeder/Airy will have a slightly richer harmonic envelope, a greater warmth and presence. The TriPlanar/Airy will have crisper attacks, more detail and kick. Which combo would sound "better" will depend on your rig, system room and preferences.

I haven't heard any C/A table so I really don't know which combo would be the more synergistic. If I had to choose for you blindfolded I'd choose the DPS. It's less likely to cause a problem. In some setups a TriPlanar/Airy 3 can go slightly over the top and become a bit edgy.

The Airy 3 is available in several configurations:
- .24mv or .48mv output (same price)
- copper or silver coils (same price)
- unweighted, silver weight or gold weight (upcharge)

Output level will depend on your phono stage gain, go with .24mv if you can. I've only heard the copper coils, perhaps Mehran of SORAsound can advise on the differences. For any medium mass arm the silver headshell weight is a good choice. Full Airy 3 details are in the review linked with my signature.

Thanks, Dougdeacon. Is Galibier the sole distributor for Schroeder? If I go with the Schroeder Reference/ZYX R100 combo, I know I'll be kicking myself down the road for not getting the UNIverse but $10k is also a lot of coin. If I compromise and do a Schroeder Reference with a ZYX Airy 3 (or 2), would that work? You seem to have plenty of experience in the ZYX line. Thanks again.

Dear Ca2284: You have a very nice and high resolution system: congratulations. I really like your Eidolon's: great performers.

Whit that kind of money my advise is that you go for a better cartridge: Allaerts Mc2 Finish, Dynavector XV-1, Transfiguration W/V or Van denHul Colibri ( low output one ), these cartridges beats any ZYX, btw those cartridges are very very hard to beat.
If you go for a better cartridge you can have a better quality sound reproduction, remember that the cartridge is the source and is where you can get more for your money, and like Doug told you: "cartridges are for a few thousand hours. ". Enough for 4-5 years of three daily hours of use.

You can choose SME IV or Moerch DP6 for tonearms. This one has the advantage to choose from severals arm wands ( different efective mass ) depending of your cartridge.

Any of these combinations, hands down the Schroeder/901/R100 combinations. Not because the tonearm, but because the lesser quality of the cartridges.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.