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How to choose an upgraded tonearm.

In two recent threads on selecting an upgraded cartridge, some of you suggested a new tonearm was in order. Since I’ve never chosen a new tonearm, I’m asking you all for some advice on how to do so for that future event.

My current turntable is a VPI Classic 2 with a VPI JMW 10.5i unipivot tonearm. A new Lyra Kleos MC cartridge is on order. I’ll likely be changing to a gimbal style tonearm. The rest of the system is Magico A3 speakers, a Luxman 507uX MkII integrated amp, a Marants Ruby CD player, and a Shunyata Hydra Denali power conditioner.

What price range should an appropriate tonearm for the Lyra Kleos be in, that would also be in keeping with the price point of my Classic 2, The Classic 2 was in the $3-4,000 range, as is the Lyra Kleos. I’ll be purchasing new, not used, and will not be upgrading any other equipment than the tonearm.

Pardon some rookie questions, but what attributes should I be looking for in a quality tonearm? Who are some of the better known manufacturers, and which models of theirs might be workable? Are there other alternative to either a gimbal or unipvot tonearm? Are tonearms generally interchangeable between different manufacturers turntables? And what improvements in sound quality might be gained by upgrading my tonearm?

Since this is all new to me, any other advice you might have about things to consider would be greatly appreciated and will help kick off my research. Thanks,

Mike

skyscraper

Showing 6 responses by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

Chuckle. I now own a Linn LP12 with Koetsu Rosewood Signature. To gain back some of the solidity I lost from my VPI I added a Silent Running Audio isolation platform. I like it… and actually have their highest level tone arm waiting to be installed… I have the intermediate one now (~$2,800). I will be interested in hearing the difference.

 

I thought long and hard about the turntable change before doing it. While based on SQ research I also let a bit of nostalgia and desire to have something that looked good. For all of my 50 my years pursuing the high end I never had enough money to allow looks to enter the equation… it was sound quality only… and always a compromise for that. But I am retired and, well could afford to let looks enter the picture. Also, my friend and audio dealer is a Linn master technician and knows my taste in sound well… he loves working on turntables. So, ultimately a great decision. Another thing I liked about Linn was upgradability. I know myself, I will not be happy until I get to the top. I am now only one upgrade away from the top… it sounds fantastic.

While I am not an expert, I am not a Technics fan… my good friend (above) is an expert and is in agreement. He has worked on and tuned different generations of them. Turntable sound is very personal. Some like a “lively” sound. I like a more solid with and exceptional quite background… to my understanding that takes mass or incredible isolation.

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

I have been following this thread out of interest. I am not a perfectionist, never wanted to be a surgeon or dentist. From my point of view this has danger written all over it. A turntable not built with the idea of being a universal mount for different tone arms, having to carefully match the TT to arm, to cartridge. What could go wrong? This is me… completely. I have an audio dealer that loves working on turntables… obsessed really. I would not touch one.

If I did want to do this. I would trade my VPI (I owned one for 25 years) and get a table made for different arms… then get a known synergistic combination of arm and cartridge. Then work from there.

But for now I’ll stick with my Linn LP12 and the Ekos SE waiting at my dealer to upgrade from my current Akito tone arm. But of course that is me. I am not a competent at such stuff. The sound would be worse if I did it.

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

@skyscraper 

 

Tell us what you do and how it works out. You have piqued my interest. While, I said, not something I would do… interested in the outcome.

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

@skyscraper 

I think you are choosing a wise course. Gather deep experience before attempting something really complex. 

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 

@skyscraper 

😀👍

ghdprentice
6,465 posts
 
VPI make great turntables and arms. In the high end community there are different brands and sounds that fit different peoples values. VPI is one of the. I owned a VPI Table for over 20 years it performed better than many of the tables recommended by others. When folks really get into this… they can pursue their own tastes to incredible levels… and think it applies to all. You have a great table and arm.
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