Replace OL Illustrious 3 with Graham 2.2?

Addendum: the hole can be from 1.5 to 1.75 in. according to an email Bob Graham sent me a while back.

The 2.2 is a very good arm and easy to set up.

The Graham 2.2 is indeed a nice arm. I have one that I picked up a few years back at a nice low price. I used it to nice effect on my Teres (link with pics):
http://www.theanalogdept.com/teresr1.htm

However when you say that your CDP rivals the TT in many respects this brings up another subject. Something isn't quite right and needs attention.

One thing about the DC powered Teres is that these can sound rather laid back. That is, they can sound somewhat lacking in energy output when the material is heavy on rhythm and other sounds which have explosive impact.

I suspect that this, uhm character trait of the Teres, is somewhat exacerbated by wear and tear on that Maxon DC motor. These motors are not like an AC synchronous that seems to live forever. The DC motors wear out. It could be that you could restore some vim and vigor to the player simply by replacing the motor...? Just a thought. I'd talk to Chris about this prospect. He may have some insight.

-Steve

Thanks Steve. This is info I did not know. What you have described seems to describe what I am hearing and the difference between the TT and cdp.

That said, I may have sold the TT somewhat short when it is not the TT's fault, but mine. I have made so many upgrades, with the TT being the first. It very well could be that I never have gotten the TT setup spot on and moved on to PC, etc.
The Teres does sound very good. AAMOF, there are qualities about it that the cdp cannot touch. However, That said, I need to play with VTA and loading. I've never really taken the time to play with these factors as I should

I also wonder if I have the TT plugged into the Oyaide. HMM. Very possible.

After I check this out thoroughly, I will call Chris

Artemus,

Why this haste to upgrade if you've done so little to optimize what you have? In addition to the adjustments you admit you haven't made, if your system photo is current then you also haven't optimized the drive system of your Teres. A 340 set up as in your photo will not match my 320 or any Galibier for dynamics, "oomph" or tonal clarity. It will sound comparitively soft, wooly and undynamic.

Your photo shows the stock Teres black drive tape. That is several generations behind the state of the art in drive tapes. We bettered that material on our 320 several years and tape types ago. Read this thread . Chris doesn't provide the optimal tape and neither does anyone else. You have to DIY (or I will, for $100 each! LOL)

The motor may or may not be an issue. Ours once had problems like what Steve described but no longer does, thanks to an upgrade provided by Chris. Ask him about gold brushes.

I think you'll benefit more from rolling up your sleeves than rolling out your wallet. ;-)

Doug

P.S. From experience I disagree that a 2.2 would be a significant upgrade from an Illustrious. IMO it wouldn't even be a lateral move.