Technics SP-10 MKIIA tonearms

Hi Gents

Is the EPA 100MK2 still a preferable arm to put on a Technics SL-1000MK3D, or will a Graham Phantom of similar perform better or just different?

I see that the tonearm can only handle up to 10 gm cartridges, and that is with a 9.5 gm headshell. Not so great for today's heavier MC carts.
There is a local guy that makes a heavier counterweight that enables all heavy carts to be used with this arm, so maybe this is not a much of an issue with this.

any thoughts are appreciated.

Hi Lencotweaker, Lewm , Raul

There is a guy I know in Australia who has 3 of the SL1000mk3. One is the D version that has the straight arm P mount especially made for the EPC1000mk4. The guy bought a epcmk4, unfortunately the suspension collapsed. He is selling this one. I don't want the P mount arm, even thou it would match my mk4 perfectly, until it wears out.

He was going to sell me one of his mk2 tonearmns and give me another blank arm board, hence the question re the Phantom as I all ready own one. The sp10 has a obvious scratch on it and a few other marks, the plinth looks nice and he said the tonearm is 9/10. All works perfectly. He can only spare a mk1 headshell.

It is a concern that heavy carts can't really be used as the Technics headshell is 9.5 GMs and it can only take 10gm cart on the specs. Of course my mk4 cart would be on it for a while :-)

Still, it is not inexpensive, so at this point will probably pass as I already spend way too much $$ on this hobby of ours.
Also a bit concerned with the potential to have to replace caps etc, etc. Even thou the guy has never had any issues.

Cheers