I think that your original question was regarding the Model 2 so I will stick to that topic....
Pithy answer: I have had my Model 2 for over 5 years now and I still love it! I would highly recommend it to anyone - especially to be used with a MC cartridge.
Prosaic answer: The Model 2 is definitely a big winner at its price point. Yes, it is not a "set & forget" type of tonearm the way some others are, especially if you reside in an area where the humidity varies greatly with the change of seasons.
The Model 2 is an excellent design but it has its limitations as it does not have the "fine adjust" features offered in the more expensive models.
So, if you need to be able to set VTA/SRA with a micrometer then the Model 2 is not going to give you that.
If you need to be able to set azimuth within a hundreth of an arc-second of rotation...then the Model 2 will not be able to do it.
If you need to set VTF in micrograms, then perhaps it is not a good choice.
HOWEVER....IF, just IF you are NOT into Audio status symbols (i.e. "mine is bigger than yours" or "mine costs more than yours") and what you REALLY want is to enjoy MUSIC then the Model 2 is an EXCELLENT choice!
Its few limitations are far outweighed by its superb design and hand-crafted construction.
The ONLY problem is getting one!
So...enough with tonearms that cost as much as vehicles.
Just like vehicles some are going to like one and some another. Just make sure everything else in the system is up to the task of a 5-figure cost tonearm and that the effective mass of ANY tonearm is in accordance with the compliance of the cartridge to be used.
BTW; The Turntable STAND is just as important as the tonearm/cartridge set-up. So I do not suggest spending "cubic money" on a tonearm while the turntable sits on effectively the equivalent of a card table!
Pithy answer: I have had my Model 2 for over 5 years now and I still love it! I would highly recommend it to anyone - especially to be used with a MC cartridge.
Prosaic answer: The Model 2 is definitely a big winner at its price point. Yes, it is not a "set & forget" type of tonearm the way some others are, especially if you reside in an area where the humidity varies greatly with the change of seasons.
The Model 2 is an excellent design but it has its limitations as it does not have the "fine adjust" features offered in the more expensive models.
So, if you need to be able to set VTA/SRA with a micrometer then the Model 2 is not going to give you that.
If you need to be able to set azimuth within a hundreth of an arc-second of rotation...then the Model 2 will not be able to do it.
If you need to set VTF in micrograms, then perhaps it is not a good choice.
HOWEVER....IF, just IF you are NOT into Audio status symbols (i.e. "mine is bigger than yours" or "mine costs more than yours") and what you REALLY want is to enjoy MUSIC then the Model 2 is an EXCELLENT choice!
Its few limitations are far outweighed by its superb design and hand-crafted construction.
The ONLY problem is getting one!
So...enough with tonearms that cost as much as vehicles.
Just like vehicles some are going to like one and some another. Just make sure everything else in the system is up to the task of a 5-figure cost tonearm and that the effective mass of ANY tonearm is in accordance with the compliance of the cartridge to be used.
BTW; The Turntable STAND is just as important as the tonearm/cartridge set-up. So I do not suggest spending "cubic money" on a tonearm while the turntable sits on effectively the equivalent of a card table!