The supreme is a killer arm. I of course do not have experience with the previous incarnation of the Phantom II as the Supreme is my first Graham arm. All I know is that the Supreme sounds fantastic....Fast, dynamic, rock solid imaging and sound stage...Very nice extended and tight bass. |
Yes, the Supreme requires separate IC's (DIN to your choice in the phono pre). I doubt that would be an option although it couldn't hurt to ask. The probelm with that is, Graham would have to supply the continuous wire from cart clips to phono-pre jacks. In my case I use a Nordost Valhalla Phono cable. I doubt Graham would use such an expensive cable as that. I suppose they could use the same wire as they use in their top of line phono cable. |
Syntax,
I agree with your assessments of the "El Supremo". I am using an Ortofon A90 on this arm. Can't wait to get home and listen again...for hours. This arm will be going on my Clearaudio "Master" Innovation when it ships in Dec. |
10-27-11: Syntax
Here is something really useful, the adjustment tool from Graham for his Arms.
The new one for the supreme allows the height of the plastic flip guide to be adjusted according to cart height. This jig is a godsend especially for carts that have a short cantilever buried underneath the cart body like the Koetsu's, Allnic Puritas, ect. |
The 10" arm for the Graham is the way to go. That was Musical Surrounding recommendation anyway. |
10-28-11: Syntax
The 10" arm for the Graham is the way to go. That was Musical Surrounding recommendation anyway.
Did they say why?
The longer arm having more mass also increases inertial mass of the cart which can be problematic depending on the cart used. Longer arm tubes also allow for more resonance. Bob Graham said this to Musical Surrounding and believes the 10" is better overall than the 12" even though you will have slightly lower tracking error with the 12". That's how I understand things anyway. Dertonearm. the 10" arm is the sweet spot according to Graham. Lower tracking error than the 9", but less effective inertial mass than the 12" which can be good depending on the cart. |
10-28-11: Syntax
I think, Musical Surroundings has (or the person behind it) a problem to listen and to understand something right. Nothing unusual in that business btw. And Graham never said or wrote anything like that, because this isn't his opinion.
You very well could be right. They chose the 10" to show off the Clearaudio Master Innovation, which I have on order. The best part of the Graham...I can buy all three lengths of the arm and decide for myself. What length are you using ? I'm using the 10" right now on my Clearaudio Innovation Compact. Fantastic arm. |
Good Point Wrm57. The arm lift rest is quite close to the ring with my 10". I can't imagine life w/o the ring though. Nothing like flat record playback, not to mention the other bennies. I need to take closer look at the anti-skate clearence. |
10-29-11: Dertonarm
Rockitman, Wrm57, the 10" arm wand was - as the 12" arm wand - Graham's reaction to market request. Indeed you will have a hard time mounting a 9" Phantom (or any other 9" pivot) when the platter diameter exceeds 320 mm or when using an outer ring on the platter. Whether Clearaudio, VPI in specific or others - the 10" is the way to go when using the outer ring anyway. But pay attention to the off-set.
so there is no advantage with longer arms ? I though longer arms had lower tracking error ? That's why the Gradenzza is 12" the Durand Telos is 12" ect. ? Help to understand... |
10-29-11: Dertonarm
Rockitman, please - don't get me wrong.
Aside from increased effective mass a longer effective length version is always superior in terms of tangential error and sensibility to SRA/VTA variation due to the inevitable hills and valley on every LP.
It is in specific here - with the Graham Phantom and it's armwands of 9", 10" and 12" resulting effective length.
As I said: look careful to the off-set of the headshell mounting area.
It is correct only for the original 9" version.
That's why the 9" version here is the "best".
Usually I would always vote and go for the 12" version - but not here.
I wonder if the new adjustable jig is configured for each tonearm length ? The plastic alignment plate is now fully ajustable so that no matter the cart height, you can get the alignment plate parallel like a record surface. Also using the ring, wavy records are not an issue. 99% of mine are flat using the ring. I suppose with the greater effective mass, there will be better performance with low compliance carts like the Allnic Puritas (Which I am considering). |
Why would Bob Graham knowingly produce an alignment jig that is off for the 10" & 12" arms ? How much error are we talking about ? To my ears, the alignment sounds perfect...No audible distortion through the lead out groove. Too bad Graham didn't put a detent on the center of the pivot cap so that I could use my feikert. Anyone have an idea how to measure for the exact center point so that I could make my own detent ? I am going to inquire with Graham directly about this. |
From Bob Graham, via Musical surroundsings: I checked with Bob Graham and while you are correct that the alignment jig is for the 9" arm, there is actually only a 1/2" difference in the effective length of the 9" vs the 10". Mr. Graham recommends moving the cartridge back in the headshell about .05" from what the gauge shows to achieve the proper overhang.
Effective Length: 10" = 248mm
Spindle to pivot distance: 10" = 229.4mm
Looks like an arc protractor is in order. There is still a wee bit of play with the headshell in the jig. Enough, imo that even with a 9" arm, you could be off slightly zenith angle wise.YMMV |
11-01-11: Halcro
P2S distance with the Phantom II can be measured accurately with the cap removed and the Feikert pin lowered into the damping well.
This is recommended by both Bob Graham and Feikert.
This is good to know. Does the well have a detent at the bottom of it for the pin to rest itself centered in the well ? I have damping fluid in there at the momement and connot remember what the bottom of the well looks like. Thanks in advance. |
minimal connection points are highly over-rated. The Graham Supreme demonstrates this quite handily. |
