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Tonearm selection: Gray Research, SME, Ortofon , Moerch

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Posted on October 21, 2014 at 02:07:43
Plinius_Fan
Audiophile

Posts: 422
Location: Singapore
Joined: August 4, 2006
 I am about to buy a Garrard based turntable. So I am looking for a tonearm to go with it. I will be using typically a Denon 103R, EMT TSD-15 or Lyra Delos. Which of these arms would you recommend:

1. Gray Research 208 transcription tonearm
2. SME M2-12r
3. Ortofon RS-309d
4. Moerch DP6

All these are available in my vicinity in the used market for under $1500.
I am looking for a tonearm which natural flow and dynamics of the Garrard without compromising in resolution.

 

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SME, posted on October 21, 2014 at 08:31:08
dee eye why
Audiophile

Posts: 1148
Location: so. ohio
Joined: March 20, 2003
 I'd go for the 12" arm.


.
Freak out...Far out...In out....

 

+1 -t, posted on October 21, 2014 at 10:52:19
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

Moerch available in 12", posted on October 21, 2014 at 14:03:43
Salectric
Audiophile

Posts: 1358
Location: East Coast
Joined: February 23, 2003
 One of the great things about the Moerch arms is that the arm wand is detachable so you can easily switch from 9" to 12" or from a low mass to medium mass wand.

I used a DP-6 with 12" Red wand for several years, and it was a very nice sounding arm with good ergonomics.

 

Two arms?, posted on October 21, 2014 at 15:05:16
jusbe
Audiophile

Posts: 5950
Location: North Island
Joined: April 4, 2000
 I think the requirements for the Denon and the EMT may be somewhat different than those of the Lyra.


Big J

"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."


 

RE: Tonearm selection: Gray Research, SME, Ortofon , Moerch, posted on October 21, 2014 at 15:16:42
fishy
Audiophile

Posts: 1031
Joined: April 15, 2002



It's not on your shortlist, but I love my Graham 2.2 / Dynavector DV-20 XL2 combo with my TD 124.

 

RE: Tonearm selection: Gray Research, SME, Ortofon , Moerch, posted on October 21, 2014 at 15:31:50
mosin
Manufacturer

Posts: 10719
Joined: July 24, 2003
 My personal choice would be the Gray.

 

Any particular reason ?, posted on October 22, 2014 at 02:23:52
Plinius_Fan
Audiophile

Posts: 422
Location: Singapore
Joined: August 4, 2006
 Hi Mosin,
In what ways do you think the Gray tonearm is superior to the SME and Ortofon ?

Regards

 

Agree..., posted on October 22, 2014 at 09:49:07
TWR
Audiophile

Posts: 1346
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Joined: November 13, 2003
 A gently used 2.2 at a good price can't be beat.

I currently use an Ortofon 2M Black but in the past used the Shelter 901, Dynavector XX2 and Lyra Helikon SL, always with excellent results.
Open up your mind, in pours the trash. - Meat Puppets, 1987

 

RE: Moerch available in 12", posted on October 22, 2014 at 12:56:24
kyle
Audiophile

Posts: 1839
Location: London Ontario
Joined: September 29, 1999
 Switching from a 12" to a 9" arm tube will also require you to relocate the pivot and set up the arm like a new installation. Not as easy as just changing tubes.

 

RE: Any particular reason ?, posted on October 22, 2014 at 13:47:23
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 If you check out his posted system, it might clarify his preferences. I have been interested in the Gray arm for quite a wile, but prices are now out-of-sight! Sakuma San of Direct Heating fame thinks very highly of the Gray arm and its variants.

Dave

 

RE: Any particular reason ?, posted on October 22, 2014 at 17:38:25
mosin
Manufacturer

Posts: 10719
Joined: July 24, 2003
 I like accuracy. In that, I mean both detail and tone. Accuracy is quite often confused with detail only, and that results in a clinical type representation, in my opinion.

The Gray, although clunky and crude by modern standards provides both. This is contrasted by the sterility of an SME, which I find to be uninvolved, and by the Ortofon, which I tend to love for some things, but not others. It has a house sound that is good at times, but not exactly right at others. The Gray is a good compromise for most music. There are superior choices, but among the ones you mention the Gray would be my pick.

Also, the Gray is an investment. People have discovered its merits, so the price continues to rise.

 

RE: Tonearm selection: Gray Research, SME, Ortofon , Moerch, posted on October 22, 2014 at 23:03:27
vyju@airtelbroadband.in
Audiophile

Posts: 43
Location: Chennai
Joined: May 26, 2007
 Hi,

You can try the Naim Aro with the Garrard in a Loricraft type plinth.(regular or skeletal)

Regards
Rajiv

 

I have heard the Gray tonearm once, posted on October 23, 2014 at 00:41:38
Plinius_Fan
Audiophile

Posts: 422
Location: Singapore
Joined: August 4, 2006
 It was definitely musical with a good tone. The tt was a nicely restored Garrard 301. Cart was 103R. I just felt that the presentation was a bit dark. That is the only worry.

 

RE: Any particular reason ?, posted on October 23, 2014 at 13:56:51
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 Have you ever tried a Grace 704 which is a similar design but lower mass?

Dave

 

I bought my 704 specifically because of Denon 103, posted on December 29, 2014 at 12:08:59
BigguyinATL
Manufacturer

Posts: 3475
Joined: April 10, 2002
 compatibility - sounded sooo good - still thinking about buying a new 103 cartridge for it. I still have my 704 and two headshells. Never replaced the 103 after a dreaded "Stylus Accident" 20 years ago. Using Grados (one for mono 78's) on the arm now.
"The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat" - Confucius

 

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