Airtight Opus 1, ch precision p1, Techdas AF3 premium combo but which tonearm?

kodomo

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
1,002
1,612
330
My friend is getting very serious about his analog set-up. He bought a CH P1, and is ordering opus 1 and AF3. Which tonearm would you recommend to him based on your experiences? For second arm and cartridge he already has SME m2-12r and Thomas Schick 12" with ZYX and spu cartridges.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
My friend is getting very serious about his analog set-up. He bought a CH P1, and is ordering opus 1 and AF3. Which tonearm would you recommend to him based on your experiences? For second arm and cartridge he already has SME m2-12r and Thomas Schick 12" with ZYX and spu cartridges.

This is similar to Gian. He has CH, AF3 premium and Opus.
 

kodomo

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
1,002
1,612
330
So what do you think Ked? You have listened to opus 1 with p1 pre a few times I guess. Which tonearms were used and which were your favorites?

This is similar to Gian. He has CH, AF3 premium and Opus.
I have written to Gian. I hope he will write here as well.
 

shakti

Well-Known Member
May 9, 2015
1,437
2,383
480
Cologne, Germany
An easy start would be a

Fidelity Research FR64s

You can use a Micro Seiki AX5 (aluminium) or AX5G (gun metal) base as starting point, both fit.
(the order of TechDAS Tonearm bases can take while)

For the FR64 bases two types of drilled diameter exists, 1x standard and 1x for B60 VTA lifter usage.

Using the FR64s , it will be hard to beat :)

As an alternative ( I personally never tried on my AF3P):
The polish distributor of TechDAS is a big fan of the

9' Kuzma 4point version,

he would go that far, that he judges the tonearm on SAT tonearm level for AF3P
 
  • Like
Reactions: kodomo

kodomo

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
1,002
1,612
330
Thanks Shakti, I also like my standart length Kuzma 4 point and recommended it as its effective mass is a good match for opus 1 hitting 10hz dead on. The 9" for point with its 13gr effective mass still matches but does not match as well with the opus as it corresponds to 11hz.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
So what do you think Ked? You have listened to opus 1 with p1 pre a few times I guess. Which tonearms were used and which were your favorites?


I have written to Gian. I hope he will write here as well.

The SME 3012r works very well with Opus in Tang's system, I don't know about heavier arms like FR. I have heard the Opus on the Bergmann Sindre and Vyger in CH phono at Gian's but those arms are attached to the TTs. I have not heard on his other arms that he on AF3 premium like Basis Superarm 9. That is where his feedback will be useful

But since your friend has SME m2 12r, he should be fine till he finds something else that he likes, as long as it sounds something like on the 3012r.

Phono is a personal choice, whether he prefers CH or a valve phono, as long as he has done his research listening, it is tough to say. The Opus sounds very good at Gian's through the CH phono with change happening mainly due to the table and arm (Bergmann as compared to Vyger).
 
  • Like
Reactions: kodomo

Bodhi

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2014
1,051
361
155
Well it has to be a 12" Graham Phantom Elite if you want to go all in ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: kodomo

Tango

VIP/Donor
Mar 12, 2017
4,938
6,268
950
Bangkok
The 3012R is excellent with Opus1 and also other carts that is light like Zyx, MSL, etc. It is raw and lively. Also only around $4,000 NOS and you don't even need to buy an expensive phono cable. You want a more sophisticated control sound go for broke go for SAT which also works excellent with Opus1.

Kind regards,
Tang
 
  • Like
Reactions: shakti and kodomo

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
The 3012R is excellent with Opus1 and also other carts that is light like Zyx, MSL, etc. It is raw and lively. Also only around $4,000 NOS and you don't even need to buy an expensive phono cable. You want a more sophisticated control sound go for broke go for SAT which also works excellent with Opus1.

Kind regards,
Tang

More like 2500
 

gian60

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2016
2,503
1,943
343
Here i am,
come back now from a tour on the lake with my wife.

I suggest your friend first, that already has sme and Thomas S. to buy X1 for P1,difference is very big adding X1 to P1 in every parameter.

For tonearm,after the good suggestion from Shakti,i see well also Graham Panthom III,or better Elite and Thales because AF3P has very deep bass and full mid bass and very good mid so i think Thales and Graham add some more air in high frequencies.

Opus i like a lot and is a perfect match with P1,both in current because impedance is very low and also in voltage around 100 ohm,only need to try what he prefer
 
  • Like
Reactions: kodomo

kodomo

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2017
1,002
1,612
330
Here i am,
come back now from a tour on the lake with my wife.

I suggest your friend first, that already has sme and Thomas S. to buy X1 for P1,difference is very big adding X1 to P1 in every parameter.

For tonearm,after the good suggestion from Shakti,i see well also Graham Panthom III,or better Elite and Thales because AF3P has very deep bass and full mid bass and very good mid so i think Thales and Graham add some more air in high frequencies.

Opus i like a lot and is a perfect match with P1,both in current because impedance is very low and also in voltage around 100 ohm,only need to try what he prefer

Dear Gian, he can get a Thales Statement Gold, so that would be a good match. He will get the x1 too but a little later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: gian60

Tango

VIP/Donor
Mar 12, 2017
4,938
6,268
950
Bangkok

BruceD

VIP/Donor
Dec 13, 2013
1,509
576
540
Get me one NOS unused I will pay you.

Yoh T,
Kedar is a tad more correct-I just sold a NOS one boxed for $2800-and am negotiating a similar ilk (unused ) at the moment for $2200.
They do pop up for K's reckoning-you just have to put your feelers out-ha:)
Good luck.

BruceD
SME.jpg
 

XV-1

Well-Known Member
May 24, 2010
3,591
2,573
1,860
Sydney
Dear Gian, he can get a Thales Statement Gold, so that would be a good match. He will get the x1 too but a little later.

Thales is a magical tonearm
 

Tango

VIP/Donor
Mar 12, 2017
4,938
6,268
950
Bangkok
  • Like
Reactions: XV-1

MadFloyd

Member Sponsor
May 30, 2010
3,076
774
1,700
Mass
Here i am,
come back now from a tour on the lake with my wife.

I suggest your friend first, that already has sme and Thomas S. to buy X1 for P1,difference is very big adding X1 to P1 in every parameter.

For tonearm,after the good suggestion from Shakti,i see well also Graham Panthom III,or better Elite and Thales because AF3P has very deep bass and full mid bass and very good mid so i think Thales and Graham add some more air in high frequencies.

Opus i like a lot and is a perfect match with P1,both in current because impedance is very low and also in voltage around 100 ohm,only need to try what he prefer

I find that the Opus 1 lacks dynamics, resolution and deep bass (although it has a lot of mid bass). It's a very laid back presentation. At least that's what I experience with my P1 (either in current or voltage inputs). I've been wondering if the Colibri Master Sig would be better.
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
13,473
2,710
London
I find that the Opus 1 lacks dynamics, resolution and deep bass (although it has a lot of mid bass). It's a very laid back presentation. At least that's what I experience with my P1 (either in current or voltage inputs). I've been wondering if the Colibri Master Sig would be better.

It definitely is laid back compared to the master signature. Fremer did not like the master signature with the CH, he thought it didn't suit from what I gathered from the review, he preferred it with the Ypsilon
 

mountainjoe

Industry Expert
Mar 25, 2015
168
74
260
Bay Area, California
eigenaudio.com
It definitely is laid back compared to the master signature. Fremer did not like the master signature with the CH, he thought it didn't suit from what I gathered from the review, he preferred it with the Ypsilon

I have the Master Sig on the VPS 100 phono stage with an Emia silver SUT and it is anything but laid back ;-)

This cart has so much energy across the board - I would describe the bass in my setup as cavernous in its depth along with very good articulation.

In fact I was surprised at how resoundingly this cart trumps my Koetsu Blue Lace Platinum - the Koetsu is great but the Master Sig is in a different ball park in terms of dynamics, bass extension, and transparency. It is perhaps in this latter aspect that I think the Master Sig really shines - it makes my Koetsu sound veiled in comparison.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bazelio and bonzo75

PeterA

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2011
12,522
10,688
3,515
USA
i think that the new Durand Tosca gimbal bearing arm might be hard to beat. it is just blowing my mind.

http://www.durand-tonearms.com/Tosca/thetosca.html

Thanks for that link, Mike. It seems that gimbal arms are getting some attention from designers again, with VPI, Durand, and SAT making new gimbal designs. The Tosca seems to have a very clever and convenient VTA adjustment mechanism. Do you know if Joel thinks that VTA should be adjusted for different LPs?
 

About us

  • What’s Best Forum is THE forum for high end audio, product reviews, advice and sharing experiences on the best of everything else. This is THE place where audiophiles and audio companies discuss vintage, contemporary and new audio products, music servers, music streamers, computer audio, digital-to-analog converters, turntables, phono stages, cartridges, reel-to-reel tape machines, speakers, headphones and tube and solid-state amplification. Founded in 2010 What’s Best Forum invites intelligent and courteous people of all interests and backgrounds to describe and discuss the best of everything. From beginners to life-long hobbyists to industry professionals, we enjoy learning about new things and meeting new people, and participating in spirited debates.

Quick Navigation

User Menu

Steve Williams
Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator
Ron Resnick
Site Co-Owner | Administrator
Julian (The Fixer)
Website Build | Marketing Managersing