Rick, there is no getting away from physics. Effective mass and compliance determine the frequency the suspension oscillates at. You can dampen the oscillation with various damping methods like a paddle in viscous oil but the frequency remains the same unless you change either compliance or effective mass. You want that frequency between 8 and 12 Hz. I like to keep it under 10. Below 8 and you start getting into record warp frequency. Which means when your cartridge hits a warp the tonearm rockets skyward comes down and bounces back up again and if you get it just right it will keep bouncing till it jumps off the side. Get it above 12 and you start getting into low bass causing feed back and softening bass transients. Origin Live might not be concerned but you certainly should.
Agrippa you and I obviously live on different planets. The Jelco is a fine arm for the money with medium to lower compliance cartridges but it is no where near as sophisticated as the SME 309 with its tapered arm tube and aerospace bearings. The SME is much lighter and therefore adaptable to far more cartridges. It is easy to add weight to an arm. Not so easy to take it off. I have not played with a Schick arm but the pictures do not look promising.
The Reed arm is intriguing to say the least and I would love to get to play with one. They look more expensive than 2K though. You never want to buy a used arm site unseen. They are too easy to damage. Just letting an arm sit out uncovered is enough to permanently screw up the bearings.
Chakster, 18 gms is up there. I use my Koetsu in an arm with an effective mass of 19 gms and the Koetsu is about as stiff as they get. 18 gms might be good for something like the Air Tight cartridges. Lyra's and Clearaudio's would get into trouble. The Ortofon Anna Diamond would work nicely.
Agrippa you and I obviously live on different planets. The Jelco is a fine arm for the money with medium to lower compliance cartridges but it is no where near as sophisticated as the SME 309 with its tapered arm tube and aerospace bearings. The SME is much lighter and therefore adaptable to far more cartridges. It is easy to add weight to an arm. Not so easy to take it off. I have not played with a Schick arm but the pictures do not look promising.
The Reed arm is intriguing to say the least and I would love to get to play with one. They look more expensive than 2K though. You never want to buy a used arm site unseen. They are too easy to damage. Just letting an arm sit out uncovered is enough to permanently screw up the bearings.
Chakster, 18 gms is up there. I use my Koetsu in an arm with an effective mass of 19 gms and the Koetsu is about as stiff as they get. 18 gms might be good for something like the Air Tight cartridges. Lyra's and Clearaudio's would get into trouble. The Ortofon Anna Diamond would work nicely.