Comparison of sonic qualities of some tonearms


I’m relatively new to the world of vinyl, listening seriously for probably only 2 years.  Of course, many big picture items (e.g. turntable, phono stage, cartridges) are discussed extensively on this forum, but I haven’t seen much discussion comparing different tonearms.  I would be interested to hear about different people’s experiences with different tonearms, mentioning the audible advantages and disadvantages of each tonearm, realizing that there is no perfect sound, although from what I read about others’ experiences, SAT tonearms may come closest, albeit at a very high price.  

drbond

@lewm I am not a medical professional, but have become quite familiar with both Behavioural and Substance addiction. 

Walking in their Company and having left their worse influences far behind. 

The learning opportunities that followed have placed me in the world on environmental influences and stimulus that is generated. 

I stand by my not so usual descriptions, even as layman for this forum as they are.

Funny how captive Dolphins that are not able to be influenced by what captivity offers, are in certain cases capable of ending their lives by no longer surfacing for air. 

Mammals and the Mammalian Brain Crave, and to Crave is to seek out stimulus. 

Audio Equipment is an environmental influence, and the use is a means to create a stimulus. 

 

Post removed 

 

 

@lewm

Thanks for your comment. I couldn't agree more.

Our knowledge is always incomplete. The best one can hope for is to learn over time.

"Our knowledge is always incomplete. The best one can hope for is to learn over time."

 "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance-that principle is contempt prior to investigation."

I have found the latter above the route to very valuable change throughout most of my Adult Life.

The @jollytinker statement is the only way to expand on ones knowledge base, stick with the subject and all the necessary variables will start to show, becoming inclusive in subject discussion.

My introducing a variable is as valid and relevant as a reference to a ADEC Type Bearing or Fixed Headshell vs Removable Headshell.

Decisions being made are not only resulting from the tangible or visual, there is much more, and unique to each individual brain chemistry as a result of stimulus, is a massive factor.

Hence, not one person can vouch for another each encounter is totally isolated and unique, hence each report can only be taken lightly, it is the individuals reaction to the experience, that only matters, and if it is one they would like to maintain.

One mans ADEC 9 Bearing - Magnesium Structure is another mans Knife Edge Bearing - SS Structure, or Viv Labs Oil - Carbon Fibre Structure.    

 

@jollytinker Yes, actually. It was a MSL Platinum signature on a Saphir mounted on a CS Port turntable and the 4 point was on a Kuzma R. Now, this was at a friend’s house and he feels the Saphir sounded better. He's a lot more impressionable than I am.

 

@mijostyn Actually, "no" would be your correct answer, because you used two different turntables. If you compare different arms on different tables with presumably different cartridges, you haven’t shown anything at all. The point of my post, as you could easily read, was to give a controlled comparison between two tonearm/cartridges, which requires using the same turntable at the least. 

[I decided to edit and re-post my comment as parts of it might have been insulting to people who are not involved in this discussion and that is not my intention. The essential point is that mijostyn has apparently been listening to these arms in the very same room where I heard the SAFIR arm and compared it to the 4 point 11. If that’s the case, I suggest that he go there himself, at his convenience, and do the experiment on the exact same table as I did and with the same tonearms. That way, he can decide whether or not this is a case of his friend's being ‘impressionable’ or of hearing a significant difference attributable to a different tonearm design.]