Get a real arm like the 9" Kuzma 4P.
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mckinneymke, The 4Point11 has an effective mass 18gm which would be great for the Koetsu. If you can afford it this is superb - I have set one up with various cartridges including Van Den Hul Calibre & Kuzma CAR50 - compared to Moerch DP8, Helius Omega on the same TT it was a class above. The 4Point9 is 13g - still ok for the Koetsu - its medium mass. I think both arms give you more flexibility than the Groovemaster. I have a truckload of arms, and you cant beat super high quality bearings and quality of design, ease of set up which gives you better results, rather than just focus on mass. If you want a very high mass arm I'd find a mint Fidelity Research FR64S, silver wired, with B60 base if possible, over the Groovemaster. There are some polarising opinions on the FR on these forums, but they are very synergistic with Koetsu's and low compliance cartridges. |
noromance the 4Point11 is almost 5X the GM II, but I am sure it is a game ender, at least for me. The importer/distributor of the GM is nearby here in North Texas and I am sure that if it really doesn’t pan out I won’t lose a lot if I later decide to go ahead and reach up for the 4Point11. The FR64S is a definite possibility as I once owned one back in the late 70’s thru early 80’s on my first LP12. Biggest mistake of my life was letting it go, but I was young and chasing nirvana. |
@ mckinneymke, Item to note, the VPI tonearm is a flush-plinth mount with tonearm cable connection above the plinth. Many tonearms such as the Groovemaster GrooveMaster II Tonearm – Mockingbird Distribution LLC are thru-plinth mount, with tonearm cable existing the bottom of the plinth and will require more plinth modification to install. Some tonearms such as the Kuzma 4Point 4Point - Kuzma Professional Turntables, Tonearms and Accessories are only partial into the plinth with the tonearm cable connection above the plinth. If you are aware of this, then disregard this post. |
@mckinneymike, My table is the Sig SE. Look at my virtual system page. How this tt is decoupled from it’s environment makes a huge difference. Plus, my MyMats made a huge difference. The Classic platter is nice but the addition of MyMats made a huge positive impact, regarding overall musicality. With these kind of improvements, you may not feel a need for a different tonearm. Forgot to add, my SoundSmith Sussurro MkII,. wow! |
I have listened to a unipivot for many years, but recently got an arm with dual vertical pivots, the Origin Live Encounter. The most incisive, dynamic sounding arm I have ever heard. It plays bass like no unipivot can because the arm cannot swing laterally on its pivot. Plus, it's as ugly as the Kuzma but much cheaper. All the money went into engineering. |