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Top 5 Tonearms Newer or Vintage Under 2500 That Will Beat anything above/below 2.5k?

From all your tonearm experiences trials errors comparisons etc is there a Top 5 tonearm list that are known for their musical superlatives in all music ranges and genres? including finer detail nuances feeling, 3d sound but also deep bass and midbass, basspunch. Airy highs. And importantly long hours listening without fatigue.
The criteria also to be met are easy setups for all angles vta vfa azimuth anti skating etc 
The Tonearm must also the ability to use more than just one or two cartridge compatibility.

Probable Turntables to be Used: Garrard 301/401, Lenco, Linn, Thorens 124, Technics 1100 1200 10 or 15. 

Heres the list i compiled of ToneArms to pick from.
Feel free to mention others.

  • Tw Raven, D Talea, Graham 2.2/phantom, Moerch, Origin Live, Vpi, 
  • AudioMods

  • Clear Audio, Stax, Rega, Technics 500/1000, Sumiko, Alphason, Black Widow, One unipivot, Saec, Clear Audio, Basis Vector, Triplanar

  • Origin Silver, Rega 9, Linn Ittok, Project, Technics 500/1000,
  •  Alphason, Audio Technica, Dynavector 507

    Grace, Mission, Grado, Ortofon, EMT, Thorens Tp,
  • ESL, Sme 3012, Sme 3009, Sme V, IV,

  • Schroeder, Kuzma, Eminent, Ikeda, Breuer, 
    Stax, Kenwood 007 arm, Sonys top Arm, Artemis
vinny55
vinny55 OP
162 posts
 
@chakster please describe how they sound and on what ttables used and cartridges hooked with
vinny55 OP
162 posts
 
@nandric  no worries.  what era was Sme 3012r made and who made Lustre 801?
nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

Dear chakster, I also own Reed 3P (12'') but I would like to

try the ''vintage'' Micro Max 282. Hard to find one but those

are certainly above $5000 ?

BTW my problem with Technics EPA 100 and ''variations'' is

that they are not suitable for the most MC cartridges.

nandric's avatar
nandric
3,263 posts
 

Hi vinny 55, Lustre is produced by Koshin (Akos?) before

1980. Also called ''magnetic drive'' because VTF and anti

skate could be adjusted by magnets, without any mechanical

contact. SME started with steel versions of both; SME 309 and

3012 . Later on aluminum was used instead of steel. However

the Japanese wanted ''steel back'' so the series ''R'' were produced

of both kinds. Alas I am not sure if this was before or after 1980?

But I am sure dgarretson knows .

chakster's avatar
chakster
2,482 posts
 
@nandric  Micro Max 282 is what i wish to buy too, but it's too expensive, definitely over $5k (used). Actually new Reed 3P is over 5k euro, but a bit cheaper on used market. So ellegant, so nice, oustanding build quality. 

Yes, Technics is better for those who uses MM or lightweight MC of mid to high compliance. 

Lustre GST-801 (by Koshin, ACOS) is nice, but magnetic system doesn't work in most cases, it can be repaired, but it's too compliacated. Mine was ok (without magnetic drive), i just sold it to a friend. Still own some important spare parts if anyone needed (original lustre ring weight and additional counterweight). 


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