anyone happy with Breuer tonearm? experiences?

I've had a 5b for about 34 years. When I installed it, I had a record playing while I telephoned my then-girlfriend (wife now for going on 33 years). She interrupted to ask if I'd gotten a new cartridge. I asked why (she knew the recording: Ditters von Dittersdorf double bass concerto). She said "The string bass sounds stringier."

That alone tells you why a Breuer is worth the money. When a musician with an good ear hears the difference over the telephone ...

The myths about 'Breuer' get even stronger. BTW there are
different versions from different times. All of them are overpriced . There are also Brinkmann versions with the 'right' counterweight(s). Breuer refused to add any separates. In my opinion the Sumiko 800 (aka 'the arm')
is better and much cheaper. One should try to get one with
more weights than one. There are 5 of them intended for carts from 6 till 22 g. own weight. However the fact that Sumiko is cheaper may cause some 'status problems'.

Regards,

If you want a dynamic arm with easy setup then IME you should look at a Reed tonearm. I have no experience with a Breuer arm and don't know what its price point is. From what I have read it is picky about what carts work well on it. The Reed on the other hand has worked well with all the carts I have tried on it.

Sean

Dear Sean, Vidmantas borrowed my Sumiko 800 out of curiosity and was impressed by the work done by Fletcher (the designer) and in particular with the work of the master machinist Davidson who made all parts on his lathe. But we are tolking about different prices when comparing with,say, the Reed. I own the Reed 2 A specialy made for my Kuzma by Vidmantas together with the armpod. So I also understand your enthusiasm for the Reed.

Regards,

Dear Generankin, With due respect, and, I hope, a sense of humor, why didn't that incident make you think that you must have an unusually good telephone? By far, the phone link was the limiting factor in that situation.