Comparison of sonic qualities of some tonearms

@unreceivedogma I very much know how a Social Get Together with a audio system in use for the listening to music, as the main topic on the agenda, is truelly good for ones spirit.

I participate in such activities regular and am a active individual extending invitation and meeting new like minded enthusiasts on regular occasion.

My local Audio Group are keen to put on a Weekend of a Social Activity extending invites to the Wider Audio community, and I have now found a Ideal Venue for this that has a wonderful acoustic produced in the space, as a result of  Multi Faceted Ceiling that is continuous in gaining Height within the Space to be used for Listening, there are also Tie Rods used for ceiling structure that are approx' 10" above floor level, so a light weight absorption or diffusion can be suspended to further treat the space.

Note: at no time did my post suggest that your equipment was without service, I was not given any indication that the equipment you are using was without a service.

  I was commenting on my experiences of seeing what lies under the hood of a variety of Audio Equipment that has a mechanical interface as part of the design and has a long term history of being produced.

If one really wants an eye opener, have a look at the images that can be found of Cart's that are only a few years old and been sent to a Third Party Repair service that Photo Documents  the before and after work. There are Cart's that appear to be so heavily contaminated, the crud looks like it could have been from usage in Sand / Dust Storm.

There is also the degrade of the critical materials caused by moisture or UV. Dampers looking like they have been eaten away on the side that has received th most UV exposure and Rust Particles (shorting risk, rusted or not) when collected  on Coils, or even Verdigris oxidation seen on Copper Coils.

To the individual with a keenness to experience Vinyl Replays at a high level of quality for the end sound, these conditions that can speedily manifest are a condition needing to be avoided.

There are third party services that do recommend a dehumidifier is used, I have often though maybe a inclusion of a recycling air filter as well, with a micron type filter screen.    

@pindac
The cartridges - Koetsu Onyx and Rosewood Signature - get re-tipped and refurbished regularly. I understand that the grit that inevitably gets inside the cartridge can itself get electrically charged and stress and even break the coils.

I used to have Van den Hul do it, but I have been giving this work over to Steve at VAS in Cliffwood of late who has done a better than fine job on his first swings at each of the cartridges, especially the Rosewood.

As to humidity, the entire 1865 4.5 story brick townhouse based on a Calvert Vaux #5 design that we renovated and restored from top (the .5 floor attic that the audio room takes up [actually .3: 23 x 14]) to bottom gets fresh air 24/7 through an ERV conditioning system. If anything, the air is on the too-dry side. The entire room surface - walls and ceiling with rock wool and burlap, the floors with moroccan rugs - itself is acoustically insulated and is semi-anechoic.

I am not nearly as obsessive as many of the people in this group, but I have been at this for 56 years since I built my own Dyna 70 when I was 14 and I know where I am going (actually, I have arrived there, finally) based on a particular philosophical approach and my financial means.

See theaudioatticvinylsundays.com http://theaudioatticvinylsundays.com

I see there is a virtual community on offer, that has a popularity and is followed. I like to see this type of thing and am encouraging of it, individuals with a interest in audio spend way too much time being insular and not experiencing much more than what they have. With nothing to use as a gauge/measure how is an individual able to ascertain if their design for a system is one that parallels others worthy of being experienced and mentioned.

I've created a Thread not too long ago, to show others within the Forum that like minded individuals can be encountered on particular dates throughout the month. What follows on from such encounters is what one makes of it.

If you missed it have a look.

 Audiogon Discussion Forum

@unreceivedogma I agree concerning the VPI 19-4 and my main table since 2006, the VPI TNT VI, probably a lifetime quality construction (and simple too).  My best friend has a VPI Scout and it did have a flat worn out bearing. He had an expert firm specializing in restoration (I don't remember the name) who retrofitted it with a more durable equivalent.  

Otherwise, I have not serviced my extreme modified SME IV.  It has been epoxy sealed at both ends so there's not much I could or want to do.  Analog still provides me with such pleasurable sound that it's digital that's gaining on it (pending delivery of my Lampizator Poseidon to elevate my digital to the same cost as my analog front end).  I keep my Legacy Signature IIIs in my living room system now nearly 30 years old-nothing as good at it's $1500-$2000 price, maybe not to $10K).  The Koetsu Rosewood Signature I heard was fabulous, so lovely on acoustic music.  I may buy either than or a Hana Umami Red in the future but I love the Dynavector 20X2 L (comparable for so many listeners loving the Denon 103R).  

Most new listeners to my home are flabbergasted at the quality of the sound (and performances) even when I had my Legacy Focuses which I found faults with.  

I just was able to directly compare two different tonearms again, and, again, I am impressed by the difference a tonearm can make!  This time I was able to compare a Schroder CB and a Kuzma 4 point on the same turntable with the same cartridge, and the sonic results are as if I had changed out a major component, such as a pre-amplifier, or amplifier.  (As a reminder, I started this thread by noticing such a similar dramatic change in sound quality when comparing a Schroder CB tonearm with a Reed 5A tonearm.)  

The Schroder CB is an excellent tonearm, but at at half the price of the tonearms that I replaced it with, it perhaps isn't an even comparison:  apparent differences in detail, clarity, and sound stage are most marked.  

In my estimation, the tonearm may have more of an impact on sound quality than the cartridge used.  

@drbond you have stated "In my estimation, the tonearm may have more of an impact on sound quality than the cartridge used".

I would be happy to say the following:

In my estimation, the tonearm does have more of an impact on sound quality than certain cartridges selected to be used.

As said in the past, I own TA's that are now Superseded by another design for a TA, that has made a very big impression on myself.

There are queues of individuals who would jump at the chance to purchase my superseded TA's, under the guise the purchase is a upgrade move for them.

The interesting thing is that Brands have a strong attraction, and the Brand dictates the desirability to purchase. My now go to TA, can be acquired for less than one of the Superseded TA's and a little more than the other Superseded model.

When my other friend who has their own TA Design / Prototypes gets the time set aside. There is a substantial period of TA Comparisons to be had, using same TT > Plinth > Cart's > Support Structure.