Tonearms: Ripoff?

First thing I noticed is that dynamics were pretty much EXACTLY the same. The old setup with the iPhono 3 seemed darker and little less detailed, but the experience was more-or-less similar. So basically....did I get savagely RIPPED OFF?

I don't think so. Dynamics come from the recording, not the equipment. But its worthy of note that most audiophiles are referring to distortion when they use the word 'dynamics' since higher ordered harmonics are used by the ear to sense sound pressure.


IME the mark of a good system is one that does not sound loud even when it is. It just sounds natural.

I doubt my system could resolve the subtle details that a great arm such as a Triplanar or Graham, Fidelity Research, Reed, Moerch could and so on.

One thing the Triplanar gets right is the bass, which so many other arms do not. You don't have to have resolution for that- just enough bass response.

What defines high end? Is it simply a price point or something more complex?

Intention, more than anything else. It certainly isn't price.

^^ +1

A really good tone arm is a really nice investment- the bigger your record collection, the better.
The ability of the arm to properly track the cartridge is far more important than which cartridge you use. If the cartridge tracks properly then your LPs last longer- no breakup or strain when things get complex.
I've never heard a cheap tone arm really do that, although some are not bad (and are probably the ones that people say are alright when they promote older/cheaper arms).

I'm a fan of the Triplanar- nothing phases it. Tracks anything, never goes out of adjustment, One of the few that gets the deep bass right, the easiest arm to set up correctly as everything is adjustable. Has the hardest metal bearings made (which allows them to be perfectly adjusted- no slop, no damage to the bearing points; something you can't do with jeweled bearings). A damped arm tube. And so on- but its not particularly cheap. But that's OK- right now I have enough stupid rare LPs in my collection that I could easily sell it for over $100K (although it might take a while). When you have stuff thats irreplaceable, you think a lot more about doing it justice with good quality.