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A question for Graham owners

Hello guys,

I'm going to buy a Graham Phantom arm but I have had a very good offer over a preowned Graham 2.2t/c in mint conditions.
I have read the Stereophile review about the Phantom with inside the comparisons with the 2.2t
Well .. we know the use of the MintLP Best Tractor can reduce the difference (gap) between the two arms.. surely more than using the Graham Jig on both , like the reviewer did.
Now the question : Anyone here has been able to verify the difference between the two arms in the best MintLP conditions?

It would be interesting for me to understand if the old Graham 2.2t/c could be a good "sonical" deal over the higher price of the new Phantom.

Thanks to everyOne for suggestions/opinions

Cheers,

Curio
curio
grooves's avatar
grooves
59 posts
 
Even with both arms properly set-up, the Phantom is a far better sounding arm, particularly in terms of bass response and solidity. The two arms share a concept but the Phantom's execution is in another league (I wrote the Stereophile review)....
curio's avatar
curio OP
294 posts
 
Thanks alot for the perfect explanation Mr. Graham , but I'm interested to know how much is the "gap" between a Graham 2.2/tc and the latest Phantom II both obviously perfectly tuned and reputedly with the same cartridge.
Many here say there is lotsa difference but I would wish to know how much .. and if it's worth it to spend lot of money for a Graham Phantom II new when I have found a preowned mint Graham 2.2/tc at half Phantom II price.
This was my previous question.

Thanks in advance for your very welcomed suggestions , Mr. Graham

Regards,

Curio
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,033 posts
 
I think, it is not Mr. Graham with the Posting, it is MF.
Anyway, when the System (Phonostage , etc.) is able to show everything, then there is no reason to use the 2.2 longer, except you can't afford it.
The Phantom is better in every area.
With this revolutionary Upgrade from his existing top Arm (2.2) Bob Graham showed the world his real competence. All others do more or less always the same (Triplanar, Schroeder, Linn , etc.), but here he "re-thought" everything (what is responsible for what) and his Magnaglide Solution is simply Magna cum laude.
larryi
1,972 posts
 
I would not worry about mistracking in a properly set up system. The Phantom in my friend's system displayed no such problems playing real world records. When playing test records with increasing modulation level, the same cartridge (Transfiguration Orpheus) did start to mistrack at lower levels than it did in an SME 309, but matched my Vector arm in this regard. In any case, this was all well beyond what one encounters playing music.

The Phantom is one of the easiest arms to set up correctly, a big plus, given that MOST of the problems (as well as differences people hear in arms) is the result of less than ideal adustment.
rgurney
279 posts
 
Yes Syntax, you are correct. Grooves is MF.
Curio - I and many others posting here would agree - the Phantom is worth the difference in price from the 2.2
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