Graham Phantom or Morch DP6 ?

I don't think of the Phantom as a pure unipivot either because it is stabilized with the “Magneglide” system.

FWIW, I have a Phantom II and don't find it lacking in bass. I did think the 2.2, which is a pure unipivot, had bass issues. Its bass always sounded a little dissociated from the rest of the music in my system. I was able to minimize the issue with super-fine adjustments to the damping fluid but I could never get rid of it entirely. I don't find the Phantom II to have that problem at all.

Never heard the DP-6, and it may well have better bass yet. Personally, I couldn't live without fine VTA adjustment, but that's just me. Were I looking at Moerch, I'd be tempted by the DP-8, which is reputed to have fantastic bass and also has fine VTA. Way pricier than the DP-6, though. I think it's a very tempting arm.

Hi Salectric,

I just want to address your point #2. I've used Graham arms for five years and they've held up perfectly. After three years, my 2.2 looked and functioned like the day I bought it. Ditto on my Phantom II after two years--and I listen to vinyl 4 to 6 hours a day, as I work at home. They're extremely well-engineered and well-built. I know several other Phantom owners and I've never heard a complaint. One might not like their sound--that's a matter of personal taste--but it's hard to argue with their quality. I also own and listen to arms from Triplanar, Clearaudio, and SME, so I'm not married to a brand. The Grahams are as well made as any of them, perhaps better. I also think the Phantom II is the most neutral-sounding arm I own. Were I to keep only one arm, it would be the Graham. Just my opinion. Nothing against Moerchs, though; I'm sure they're great arms.

Roscoeiii, here are a few observations in my system. I find the Tri-planar to throw a larger, bolder presentation with excellent transparency, immediacy, and flow. It seems fuller on the bottom and mids, perhaps not quite as extended or refined on top, and perhaps more liquid than the Phantom II. Of course, we're splitting hairs here: the Tri is not lacking for top end; the Graham is not lacking in flow. The Tri-planar adds more of its own character, IMO. I find the Graham to be more precise and focused, more balanced high to low. It's definitely not light in the bass. I've read some comments that it's mechanical-sounding, or analytical, or "not musical" (whatever that means). Not true in my system. I travel just as far on the magic carpet via the Graham as the Tri-planar. But the Graham is a very neutral arm, which makes it a great platform for comparing cartridges, cables, etc. It does requires precise set-up, and miniscule changes in any parameter are instantly audible. The Tri-planar is a bit more forgiving. Both are fantastic in the control they afford over all parameters; I'm quite spoiled by them in this regard. They're different but both are wonderful arms, and equally valid in their presentations.