Graham Phantom

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Jim Hannon -- Fri, 08/05/2005 - 21:02

Has anyone tried the new Graham Phantom?
Is it worth the big bucks over the 2.2?

Thanks
Jim

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tmartin2 -- Sat, 01/21/2006 - 16:12

And are either of these better than the Triplanar?

Jim Hannon -- Sun, 01/22/2006 - 14:23

I owned an earlier version of the Triplanar and it had an upper midrange prominence I couldn't eliminate. It made the sound of massed violins sound bright.

I'm told the newer Triplanars are much better in this respect, but I haven't heard them.

Jim

tmartin2 -- Sun, 01/22/2006 - 15:56

How much more is the Phantom?

Jim Hannon -- Sun, 01/22/2006 - 20:32

The Phantom was originally introduced under $4K.
It now looks like it is being sold for $4300 retail at Music Direct.

The Triplanar retails for $3900, as far as I can tell.

wgarcia -- Tue, 02/07/2006 - 16:01

I had an earlier Tri-Planar and am currently using the newest MK VII. It is indeed much improved and does not exhibit the glare Jim rightly mentioned in ealrier versions. I will be receiving the Phantom for review in a few weeks and will be able to do a direct comparrison of these two excellent arms.

wgarcia -- Tue, 02/07/2006 - 16:02

I had an earlier Tri-Planar and am currently using the newest MK VII. It is indeed much improved and does not exhibit the glare Jim rightly mentioned in ealrier versions. I will be receiving the Phantom for review in a few weeks and will be able to do a direct comparrison of these two excellent arms.

Jim Hannon -- Wed, 03/29/2006 - 18:59

Any preview of your findings on the Phantom?

wgarcia -- Sun, 04/02/2006 - 18:56

The delivery of the arm has been delayed due to demand and parts availability. I'm now hoping to have the Phantom by mid-April and with luck will post a few thoughts at that time.

Jim Hannon -- Mon, 04/03/2006 - 18:45

I hope the strong demand coupled with a lack of parts availability doesn't drive up the price of the Phantom still further.

I've also heard a later version of the Basis Vector arm (but not on my table) which seemed to better the performance of the Graham 2.2.

It will be interesting to see if the extra $1300 vaults the new Graham ahead of the Vector.

Jim Hannon -- Wed, 08/16/2006 - 16:45

Any updates on the performance of the Graham Phantom?

I haven't been able to hear one and wonder whether it's worth the wait.
I've heard that there continue to be production delays.

Thanks

wgarcia -- Tue, 08/22/2006 - 10:23

After many delays--first by Graham and then by Red Point--it looks like I will finally get my hands on one of these Phantoms (hmm, good name!) sometime within the next 2 weeks.

wgarcia -- Mon, 09/04/2006 - 11:59

This is a very early report. I've had the Graham Phantom/Red Point Model D/Transfiguration Temper V set up and running for the past several days. The rig is not entirely settled in yet and the cartridge in particular is breaking in, but it is clear that the praise being given to Graham’s all-out effort is well deserved. Even though in some ways the arm seems over-engineered--it is a complex design that is difficult to set up (even for seasoned analogue types)--the thing is stunningly well made and beautifully finished. This is the first uni-pivot I’ve been smitten by, and I’m eager to hear it with other cartridges (such as the Air Tight) and compare it with my trusty Tri-Planar VII.

Jim Hannon -- Mon, 09/04/2006 - 13:04

Thanks for the preview, Wayne!

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