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How important is the tonearm?

I am presently shopping for a new tonearm for my new turntable. I looked at basic arm like the Jelco (500$) but also at arms like Reed, Graham, Tri-Planar all costing over 4000$.

The turntable is a TTWeights Gem Ultra and the cartridge I have on hand is a brand new Benz Ruby 3.

Here is a couple of questions for the analogue experts.

1. Is the quality of the tonearm important?

2. Is it easy to hear the difference between expensive tonearm (Ex: Graham Phantom) vs a cheaper Jelco (Approx. 500$)?

3. What makes a good arm?

Any comments from analogues expert?
acadie

Showing 1 response by soulbrass

soulbrass
246 posts
 
With respect and deference to all the learned responses above, I think it's safe to say that, like everything else in our hobby, ultimately it is synergy that will yield the best results.

A top-shelf arm with a low end cart or a low-end arm paired with a top-shelf cart will both probably be bettered by a mid-grade arm and a mid-grade cart whose mass and compliance are optimally mated.

So neither the arm nor the cart can claim top billing!
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