Jaica, Bob Graham offered the following comments recently in a posting to the Phonogram listserve:
"For those of you who haven't looked lately, we have just introduced the new Model 2.2 tonearm, and which is a major step forward in performance, especially in the areas of imaging, bass extension and impact, and midrange resolution..."
And in a follow-up posting:
"...the improvements have to do with the bearing/balancing system and the upgrade is simplicity itself, and is user replaceable. We have totally redesigned the pivot bearing system for more stability. The user merely has to replace the bearing/cap assembly, add new damping fluid and affix a "2.2" sticker to the VTA bracket. The sticker doesn't improve things very much, but does reassure the owner that they're at least current with our thinking on analogue. The cap will now be either gold or chrome, depending on the tonearm accents, rather than the earlier black. The upgrade cost is just $300, and as I mentioned in my original note, I feel sure you'll be pleasantly surprised, regardless of which table/arm you're using. The upgrades will be available in about a month, and all new production deluxe tonearms will be the 2.2."
"For those of you who haven't looked lately, we have just introduced the new Model 2.2 tonearm, and which is a major step forward in performance, especially in the areas of imaging, bass extension and impact, and midrange resolution..."
And in a follow-up posting:
"...the improvements have to do with the bearing/balancing system and the upgrade is simplicity itself, and is user replaceable. We have totally redesigned the pivot bearing system for more stability. The user merely has to replace the bearing/cap assembly, add new damping fluid and affix a "2.2" sticker to the VTA bracket. The sticker doesn't improve things very much, but does reassure the owner that they're at least current with our thinking on analogue. The cap will now be either gold or chrome, depending on the tonearm accents, rather than the earlier black. The upgrade cost is just $300, and as I mentioned in my original note, I feel sure you'll be pleasantly surprised, regardless of which table/arm you're using. The upgrades will be available in about a month, and all new production deluxe tonearms will be the 2.2."