Graham Engineering Phantom III

Description

The Phantom III is the same specification as the Phantom II, but incorporates some important upgrades. In addition to the refined Magneglide stabiliser, new internal wiring for even better detail and improved freedom from any mechanical resistance, an upgraded pivot design for even greater dynamics and a new titanium armwand, the Phantom III has incorporated a new pivot housing assembly. This assembly, comprised of a constrained layer combination of brass and tungsten, provides greater energy control and damping, along with improved bearing performance. Incorporating a slightly reshaped counterweight to allow for great cartridge weight ranges and lower moment of inertia, the result is greater transparency, broader sound staging (both side to side and front to back), with greater bass impact and extension.

These refinements yield greater performance in the areas of thundering dynamics and sheer musicality, while retaining the delicacy of detail, quality and convenience features the earlier Phantom was noted for. A tonearm with Stable Balance can be identified by measuring the tracking force at the record surface level and again at a raised position above the record. If the tracking force INCREASES at the higher position, the arm has Stable Balance. Our own previous designs – the best we could make at that time – also had this limitation due to the use of side weights to provide lateral stability.

The Phantom III solves a challenge present with uni-pivot designs. Other uni-pivots with low-slung counterweights will all exhibit this force – the lower the weight, the more counter-force is applied. Although this technique is often promoted as a ‘high-stability’ design, it delivers stability at the expense of consistent tracking force and linear cartridge performance. It actually results in varying tracking forces during play when traversing even small warps, accompanied by non-linear cartridge operation and increased record wear. Once a neutral balance is chosen for use in a uni-pivot tonearm, it must be remembered that both the vertical and lateral planes will be affected the same way. Without proper lateral stability, such a design would not have consistent, correct vertical alignment and the pivot would tend to flop over to one side or another (usually in the direction of the weighted cartridge offset angle mounting). Obviously, this situation must be avoided if possible.

The solution to this lies at the very heart of the Phantom’s design and its unique ability to retrieve groove information. The key to this solution is a magnetic stabilisation system which Graham Engineering have called ‘Magneglide’ ™. With this unique patented system, all lateral stability and a portion of the damping, is provided by powerful neodymium (“rare-earth”) magnets, placed in a horizontal line from the pivot point of the tonearm. In combination with pivot fluid damping, the Magneglide ™ system allows normal vertical pivoting of the tonearm in true neutral balance with vanishingly low friction, yet provides a strong lateral stability that feels almost like fixed bearing arms. (No wobbling of the arm as it is lifted, for instance).

In addition, this dual-damped system forces the Phantom to pivot in the correct vertical plane of the stylus tip, with no rotation as the arm is raised. No regular uni-pivot can achieve this important geometric requirement. Even a few fixed bearing arms don’t get this right! If the vertical motion of the tonearm is in plane of the armtube itself (and not the correct plane of the stylus face angle), the cartridge will tend to tip over to its side as the arm is raised, as when tracking over warps. This will cause noticeable channel imbalance and reduced tracking accuracy.

The Graham Phantom III has exceeded our highest expectations, surpassing even the highly-rated Phantom II and when compared to other tonearms on the market at this price point, tests and user feedback have confirmed that the Phantom III is in another, altogether higher level of performance. Its improved energy control & damping results in a broad soundstage, great bass impact and emotional engagement. If you are serious about the quality of your vinyl replay, audition the Graham Phantom III. It has the ability to elevate the performance of your analog system many orders of magnitude.

Features

• High end uni-pivot tonearm in 9, 10 & 12 inch
• Patented Magneglide™ stabilising system
• Low friction due to pivot fluid damping
• Reshaped counterweight
• New internal wiring for better detail & movement
• Removable arm tube made of titanium
• New pivot housing assembly
• Tungsten & brass insert combination

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Graham Engineering Phantom II in operation

Product Specifications