1. Home
  2. analog
  3. 1308960997

Reed tonearm w/ Raven One table-how's the match ?

I soon expect to go for a Raven One, but it's tough deciding on an arm for it. Currently own an SME IV.Vi, but want easier adjustability. I'm considering the Reed 2A or 2P with cedar wood and the C37 Finewire in copper with Eichmann Copper Bullet plugs. My listening preference is mainly orchestral music.I do like a slightly soft edged, warm/dark sound and don't mind giving up a bit of top end air but wish to preserve presence from instruments at the rear of the orchestral soundstage. For any of you who have this combo,what say you? Too much warmth interfering with what I'm looking/listening for or not? I have Dynavector XV-1S and Benz Ebony LP cartridges,reasonably neutral Ear 88PB preamp,Air Tight ATM-3 amps,Dunlavy SC-4 speakers.
opus88
suteetat
435 posts
 
I just took a delivery of Q3 a couple of weeks ago. I plan to use it on Raven AC which I should get in a couple of month.In the mean time, I mount it on Reed's base to use with VPI Classic. Very very nice. All the adjustments are very easy to do. May be not quite as dynamic, bold or as big sounding as JMW 10.5 but more quiet, smoother, better control and more detail. My Reed dealer should have his Reed arm installed on Raven one pretty soon. I am curious to hear how it would go as well.
opus88 OP
529 posts
 
Suteetat...I'm curious about what type of arm material your Reed is made of. If it is wood, which type did you get? Also, is the arm internally wired with the C37 copper or silver, and do you have the copper or silver Eichmann Bullet ends or one of the other types of RCA plugs offered for the Reed? Thank you very much.
suteetat
435 posts
 
Opus88, I have 12" cocobolo arm. Right now I have Air Tight and Koetsu Onyx cartridge and Reed recommended cocobolo so I can use it with either cartridge.
My dealer also got a 2p with Cocobolo arm to use with his Miyajima Kansui. I have the C37 silver/WBT RCA cable. My dealer got one with copper wire.
david12
1,398 posts
 
I have the Raven One and use the Benz LP, which is on your list of cartridges. I can't comment on the Reed arm I'm afraid, but did E-mail Thomas at TW re arm choice. At that time, he used and strongly recommended the Ortofon 309D arm, on the Raven one, which I bought.
I must say it seems to be a very good match with the Benz LP, tracking well and making a beautiful sound. I used a second hand Koetsu Onyx which was a poor match, due to compliance mismatch. Unfortunate, because I love the Koetsu sound
opus88 OP
529 posts
 
David: Would I be correct in assuming your Ortofon arm has a pretty neutral sound? If so, yes I would imagine that combined with the Raven and Benz, it would provide a nice balance tonally speaking. I don't know what kind of music you mostly listen to, but have you detected any kind of roll off as far as presence information from anything related to the influence of Raven One itself?
More to discover