What kind(s) of music will you use this combo for? That and some idea of your budget expectations, if any, would help narrow the field.
Recommendation for a second arm/cartridge combo
Folks, I'm looking to install a second arm/cartridge combo on my C/A Maximum Solution table. Plan is to use my current arm/cartridge (Graham 2.2 + C/A Victory H) as the 'daily driver' and install a second arm for more intimate listening sessions. I initially considered the C/A TQ series linear tracking arms, but other pivot models, i.e. Schroder Reference or Dynavector 507, have caught my attention as well. The phono stage is a Klyne 7PX5 feeding a tubed F/S Paramount SE linestage, into a Rowland 302, into Eidolon Diamonds.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations the forum gurus can offer.
Thanks in advance for any recommendations the forum gurus can offer.
Showing 3 responses by dougdeacon
Ca2284, $7K will easily purchase an arm/cart that will relegate your 2.2/Victory H to the #2 spot. You might as well move them to the back armboard now, just to make room! ;-) If you want a Schroeder Ref there's no better choice, though it would leave you only $1500 for a cartridge. That's not a horrible idea - top arms are for life, cartridges are for a few thousand hours. If you don't mind being somewhat unbalanced in favor of the arm for a while, put a ZYX R100 Fuji or Shelter 901 on the Ref. You won't hear everything the Schroeder is capable of, but the cartridge will sing like no Fuji or 901 ever sang before. You will probably upgrade to a top cartridge in the future, since there's no limit to what a Schroeder Ref deserves to be paired with. Whatever you do, don't listen to a Schroeder Ref/ZYX UNIverse until you have $10-11K to spend. Hear that combo once and you're doomed. If you want a closer balance between arm and cart then I'd recommend a Schroeder DPS or TriPlanar VII paired with a ZYX Airy 3. The Schroeder/Airy will have a slightly richer harmonic envelope, a greater warmth and presence. The TriPlanar/Airy will have crisper attacks, more detail and kick. Which combo would sound "better" will depend on your rig, system room and preferences. I haven't heard any C/A table so I really don't know which combo would be the more synergistic. If I had to choose for you blindfolded I'd choose the DPS. It's less likely to cause a problem. In some setups a TriPlanar/Airy 3 can go slightly over the top and become a bit edgy. The Airy 3 is available in several configurations: - .24mv or .48mv output (same price) - copper or silver coils (same price) - unweighted, silver weight or gold weight (upcharge) Output level will depend on your phono stage gain, go with .24mv if you can. I've only heard the copper coils, perhaps Mehran of SORAsound can advise on the differences. For any medium mass arm the silver headshell weight is a good choice. Full Airy 3 details are in the review linked with my signature. |
Hi, AFAIK Galibier is only a distributor for Schroeder if you're buying one of their tables. Same for Teres. Schroeder's USA distributor for arm-only sales is http://www.audioadvancements.com/products.html A Schroeder Ref/ZYX Airy 3 (or 2) would be brilliant, and credit to Flyingred for first suggesting it. I guarantee that combo will send your existing one to the basement. The only problem will be waiting 4-6 months for the arm. It's worth it. The Airy 3 is faster and more dynamic than the 2. In a small number of systems it can go a bit edgy but that's very unlikely on a Schroeder Ref - it's the best damped arm on the planet. So go for the Airy 3 if you can. You won't kick yourself. The Airy 3 on a Schroeder Ref would keep anyone happy for years. |