The Schroeder has arrived

Dmailer I second your endorsement for Thom of Galibier - he's a genuine enthusiast and a great guy.

I know that Zyx are very popular around here and I heard an Airy 2 on a Schroeder Ref/dps. It was almost perfect - wonderful openness and neutrality however it lacked bass weight and extension (on Stones-type rock cuts) and I personally couldn't live with that compromise.

I have also heard a DL103 and a Koetsu Urushi Vermilion mounted on the Schroeder Ref when compared to gimbal arms (Micro Seiki MAX 282 and Morch DP6) I thought the bass reproduction was slightly looser when they were mounted in the Schroeder compared to the other arms.

The kind of sound you're aiming for and the music you play will dictate your cart choice (I would expect the Zyx to sound be great on small acoustic ensembles but not for organ works), however if you're happy with the Shelter sound....

The other cart I'm curious to hear in a Schroeder is the Jan Allaerts MC1B.

So.......What type of WOOD did you get on the Wand?
And what length? I think the Reference comes in any
length from 8.5" to 12"

I am thinking of ordering the Schroder II
since I don't have the big bucks for the Ref.
I own the Shelter 501 & the Music maker3.

How much money did you have to pay up front to get
the Arm ordered?

You definitely have some nice electronics there, what Table did you say you have?

Socoaste
I exchanged e-mails with Frank Schroder regarding armwand lengths. Longer arms have less tracking distortion. However, longer arms are not as rigid and more prone to vibrations. It is a trade off. Frank feels that for his arms, the 9" (222mm) is the best compromise. I had originally wanted a 12" arm. Frank talked me out of it. YMMV

I have the 9" Jacaranda arm. The turntable I am using is an early Redpoint Testa Rosa. I purchased this from Thom when he and Peter had developed Redpoint. I have one their earlier aluminum platters with the teflon top. The Galibier and Redpoint tables are very well made and I believe can compete with the very best. I am always upgrading equipment but I do not feel that I will ever have the need to upgrade my TT and arm at this point. You would have to discuss payment terms for a Schroeder with Thom. When I ordered I gave him 50% down.

I'm glad you're enjoying your Reference. I purchased my Model 2 about 2 years ago and it was a revelation; I waited 4 months for mine. I use an Allaerts MC1B on mine and it is an excellent match on my Platine Verdier. Fed through my Tron Meteor tube preamp (www.tron-electric.com, made by Graham Tricker at GT Audio, UK - also distributor for Frank's arms as well as Avantgarde, Verdier, DPS, Lindemann, ZYX etc), Quad IIs and Avantgarde Duos, it sounds like real music or at least pretty close. Having started out in the hifi business in the 1980s with Ken Kessler, I progressed onto other things (I'm a surgeon by trade). With that background, you might say that I have a penchant for vinyl and tubes - Yep! The Allaerts is a great pickup; I still have my original Decca London Gold (Garrott Brothers) which was stunning when I had it modded by them in the early 1980s. The MC1B just blows it, and my memories of it at its pomp, out of the water. By the way, Deccas work very well in Frank's arms.