I am in the process of purchasing a new Dohmann 2, Mk. 3 Turntable. I have not decided upon an arm or cartridge as of yet and was hoping that some of you are familiar enough with the Dohman 2 Turntable to offer suggestions and the reasons for your suggested tone arms and/or cartridges. I am currently using a Boulder 508 phono preamp, but am considering moving up to the Boulder 1108 phono preamp for more cartridge flexibility (I would really like to go to 2108, but cannot justify the cost). The phono preamp goes into a Boulder 1110 pre amp, into a Boulder 1160 amp and into the new Magico S3 speakers. Any guidance/suggestions would be appreciated, especially with the reasons for said suggestions. Thank you.
Tone Arm and Cartridge for Dohmann 2 Mk. 3 Turntable
- Thread starter Stevet
- Start date
I would strongly recommend the Supatrac tonearm,I know Mark Dohmann is a big fan.The arm is relatively inexpensive and has sound qualities very similar to the SAT arm.
See Mikey Fremer’s review.
The Schroder,Kuzma 4 point and various Reed arms also work well.
Mark makes it damned difficult to dislike him.
Why don’t you just give him a call in about 11 hours and ask him?
I know he also has carried the Schroder arms.
If it takes 2-3 arms, you could run a Schroder, Korf, and something else.
But then again, I like talking to the bloke, so I would call him, if I had an excuse/reason.
There are a few others that are similar, but not a lot of people that are really enjoyable to talk to at leangth.
As per Down Under, speak to Mark and he'll very likely tell you to look at the Supatrac. They have a new more expensive version in the works, a little more cost no object. When I spoke to him the other he liked is the Reed 5T
I would second the suggestions to consider both the Supatrac and Reed tonearms. I would add to the Reed contingent the model 5A.
I was able to discuss the Reed product line with the US distributor Axxis Audio at AXPONA 2024. I was impressed with their knowledge, ability and willingness to support the Reed products.
While I am less familiar with the US support network for Supatrac, both brands are on my personal short list of tonearms I want to add to my system.
Please keep us posted as you narrow your search. The Dohmann TT is an exceptional product and will reveal the best of any tonearm you choose.
I was able to discuss the Reed product line with the US distributor Axxis Audio at AXPONA 2024. I was impressed with their knowledge, ability and willingness to support the Reed products.
While I am less familiar with the US support network for Supatrac, both brands are on my personal short list of tonearms I want to add to my system.
Please keep us posted as you narrow your search. The Dohmann TT is an exceptional product and will reveal the best of any tonearm you choose.
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Congratulations to the choice of a truly world class turntable.
Mark (Dohmann) has extensive knowledge and experience with many different tonearms and would be happy to give you his personal guidance and advice I'm sure. It's true though that he recommends the new Supatrac right now for many applications where we're also waiting for these tonearms to arrive from the UK.
We've been using the Reed 5A for the last year here in Stockholm together with various cartridges from My Sonic Lab and more. Always with great (but obviously different) results. We've quite recently installed a new Analog Relax EX500. A cartridge that I personally adore and that really speaks to me in a very soulful way.
The Dohmann tables are probably as isolated and quiet as a vinyl platform can get, where differences in the choice of tonearm and cartridge will become very obvious and profound.
You've got a very neutral and powerful system on paper, where you might need to ask yourself in what direction you want to go. Are you aiming for even more resolution, transparency, dynamics and precision or perhaps improved tonality, texture, body, fluidity etc?
/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se
Congratulations!
Mark effectively OEMs (this might technically be the wrong terminology) Reed tonearms and Schroder tonearms. I simply would ask Mark for his advice based on your sonic preferences.
I've had my Helix 2, Mk 3 TT for almost a year now. I've been totally happy using the Thales Statement tonearm. I have a friend who owns the Helix 1, Mk 3, and he has the Reed 5A (also a pivoted tangential like the Thales Statement), but he purchased a Kuzma Safir which he much prefers to the Reed. These are all great tonearms.
Thank you for the information. Before receiving your information I decided to go with the Kuzma Safir and ordered one (expensive but worth it I think). But good to hear that someone else ordered and prefers the Safir. I am now waiting for the Dohmann 2, MK 3 to arrive and be set up. I am really looking forward to this new table and arm.
I have had a Helix One Mk 2 for several years, and I mostly listen to the Kuzma 4 point. I have the Reed 5A and Schroder CB also. I haven’t heard a bad cartridge yet! They’re all great, with different strengths and weaknesses: none any better, just different.
How do you like the Safir? I entertained this tonearm, but read that it needed a very stable base, and since the Helix One sits on a minus K platform, I wasn’t sure it would suit, which is similar to what I’ve read about the Schroder LT on a minus K.
I really do like the Safir arm, BUT what you have read is correct based upon my experience (it is very important to note that I have hardwood flooring and I suspect if the flooring was otherwise that I would not have the problems I am experiencing). When I am near the table and a record is playing I need to walk carefully and softly, otherwise it may, but not always, disturb the tracking and cause a skip. I am working on that now, trying to find a better way to isolate the table from even the most minor extraneous vibration coming from my flooring. So that can be a real issue for the Dohmann/Safir combination. Of course when I am sitting down listening this is not a problem at all.
What has Mark said re the skipping?
The turntable has a Minus K isolation platform built into it. It should not skip.
Mark Dohmann said that he has had a few examples of customers having the same issues as I am having - i.e. wood floor vibrations. He has suggested some solutions and we are working on it. The Minus K platform does not prevent this from happening.
what is the point of the Minus K isolation being incorporated into the turntable? The Minus K isolation platforms supposedly isolate down to 1.5Hz horizontal natural frequency and our signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency.
seems crazy that you can walk over to the table and the arm skips.
Good luck in getting it fixed.
I don’t know the details, but apparently the Helix Two is a different type of minus K platform setup from the Helix One. The Helix One is completely isolated on the Minus K platform, but the Helix Two has a different design, from what I am told by a friend who owned both. I don’t know the details, as this is just what I was told.
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