Graham Phantom vs the Graham 2.2

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I was able to hear the Phantom at a dealer back in November, but it was on a completely different system than mine (Maggies in lieu of my Sonus Faber Extremas), so I don't have a great frame of reference.
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The detail was incredible, the sound staging compressed and not well delineated and the bass lacking. The sonics did not have much weight behind the notes. I blame the dealer's system for the drop off in sound characteristics compared to what I hear in my system. The detail was better than what I hear, but the sound stage and lack of weight was poor compared to what I get in my system.
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Having said all of that, I was still impressed with the Phantom. I have a 2.2, which I really like (in part thanks to the help I got from your thread comments on damping fluid - thanks for that one).
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I had listened to a new Tri-Planar and liked the improved attack, dynamics and Bass, but I am completely sold on a Schroder Reference.
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I have heard the Schroder Reference on my system on my table with the same cartridge and was able to do an A/B against my Graham. I really enjoy my Graham, but the Schroder is just heaven in all respects. It does is all.
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I also just heard a Schroder last weekend for the whole weekend on another system with a ZYX UNIverse with all types of music and I have never heard anything as magical or beautiful as that combination.
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I have a two-armed table and was thinking of getting the Phantom. Now, I am definitely planning to get a Schroder Reference and would consider either the Phantom or the Tri-planar as the second arm.
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It would be great to do an A/B of the 2.2 and the Phantom in my own system and I will if I get the chance and report back. The Schroder Reference, although a good bit more expensive than the Phantom, is well worth the price difference and in my thinking, could easily turn out to be the last tonearm you ever buy...it is that good.
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Rgds,
Larry
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I have not heard the Kuzma nor the Air Tangent, so I can not be any help with comparisons.
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I do know that the Schroder is well worth the price (as high as it is). I will make an effort to hear both the Air Tangent and the Kuzma, but it won't stop me from getting a Schroder. It is just that good. You will always be able to sell a Schroder in a heartbeat if some how you would need or want (not really a possibility) to sell it.
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I don't expect you to make a decision to buy based on an Audiogon review, but do find a way to get to hear a Schroder. When I finally get mine, you are welcome to jump a plane out of Newark, La Guardia, or Kennedy and come down to Miami to hear mine. I will be the guy with the permanent smile on my face.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Hi Sirspeedy,
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Yes, I happen to have one extra room if you don't mind sharing with most of the Audiogoners from the North East. Good luck digging out.
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At some point in the near future, I will have the benefit of hearing the Graham 2.2, Schroder Reference, and a new Triplanar all on my system with the same cartridge at the same time. I have a two armed table and will have 2 of the same cartridge so that comparison process will be greatly simplified.
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I will let you know my reactions to all 3.
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At this point, I don't have the benefit of Thomas Heisig's experience. I do think I remember that Thomas' Schroder experience was not with the Reference but another model. Perhaps Thomas can let us know which Schroder model he listened to and was it on the same system at the same time as he heard the Graham and some model of the Schroder.
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Rgds,
Larry
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.Hey Yogi, errr..... I mean David, are you taking your medication on a regular basis ?
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I have left my dark side and re-emerged into the light. No more picking on Raul (unless of course he starts it first).
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Regards and enjoy the chaos,
Larry

Regardless of Raul's comments, I think the comparisons that we will do between the Graham 2.2, TriPlanar (latest iteration) and Schroder Reference while using a ZYX Universe which might be one of the most uncolored and detailed cartridges available today and on a fairly detailed, dynamic and quite revealing system, should be as good as it gets for doing comparisons between arms. Everything will be held constant except the tonearms. All of the tonearms will have already been broken in.
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We will share the results with the rest of you based on a consensus of the observations of several audiophiles with excellent ears. The hope is that the results will be helpful to Audiogoners who have those 3 arms on their short list to be able to make a decision of which direction they would like to go with regards to a tonearm purchase.
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Sir Speedy,
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I just tried to email you at your address listed above on the thread (sirspeedy70680@earthlink.net ) and it was bounced back to me.
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Please send me an email address and I will email you off line.
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Rgds,
Larry
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