Graham Engineering Phantom Elite Uni-Pivot Type Statement Tonearm
Redesigned Pivot Assembly with Constrained-Layer Damping
In the tradition of the original award-winning Phantom, the Elite continues the use of the unipivot bearing and Magneglide magnetic stabilization, but brings these patented features to a new level of refinement and performance. Using more costly materials and precision machine design features, the Elite will redefine what is possible in analog playback.
The pivot assembly has been redesigned, and now incorporates an entirely new pivot assembly utilizing constrained-layer damping of two different metals, both having a high weight to size ratio. A new, high-density, non-magnetic tungsten insert insures zero-tolerance bearing contact and high energy absorption. Likewise, the pivot top has been reconfigured, and results in superior external energy rejection, while ensuring chatter-free, extremely low-friction pivoting.
Patented Magneglide™ Magnetic Stabilizing System
The patented Magneglide™ stabilizing system ensures pivoting in a true vertical plane, with no azimuth deviation as the arm traverses warps. Since the arm is also in true neutral balance – again the result of magnetic stabilization controlling azimuth in a unipivot arm – the tracking force will be consistent, regardless of arm motion over warps.
Rigid Damped Titanium Armtube for Precision Tracking
The removable armtube is made with a new, larger and more rigid damped titanium design. The removable design allows for accurate, off-turntable mounting and alignment of the phono cartridge, a valuable safety and accuracy feature which has been a signature of all Phantom tonearms. The new alignment gauge that is part of this system has an adjustable height feature, so that true tangency is always assured, yielding simplicity of operation and greatest accuracy. There are three armwands available, in 9, 10, and 12-inch lengths to suit any conceivable turntable installation.
Unlike other designs where the counterweight/arm resonance can be in the audio range, and which can result in modulation of the playback signal, the Elite counterweight is decoupled at a low, subsonic resonant frequency; this results in cleaner and more dynamic bass extension, and smooth, detailed midrange, with extended, crystalline highs. All of this is achieved with practically no sonic signature of the arm itself, such as false base emphasis or bright highs, and instead is allowing the phono cartridge to work effortlessly in reproducing the music itself.
The internal wiring of the entire tonearm has been replaced and updated with new Litz-based construction and approaches the ideal dielectric absorption factor of “1”. This results in signal transfer that is whip-fast, and not impeded by the typical insulation materials that absorb and re-introduce energy into the wire at unpredictable intervals. Likewise, the cable to the phono preamp, although more robust in size, retains the same high speed transfer properties of the internal wire. The result is signal transfer virtually unchanged from the output of the cartridge all the way to the phono preamplifier.
Words alone cannot do justice to this remarkable reproducer; therefore, we sincerely suggest that you compare the Elite with any tonearm, regardless of price or design. We are sure you will agree that this tonearm will provide the smoothest, most dynamic and most accurate path of music from your valuable records to the rest of your system.
Reviews
“The Graham Phantom Elite is an engineering marvel. Its performance is breathtaking, combining effortless musicality with the ultimate in detail retrieval. A must-have for analog perfectionists.”
-The Absolute Sound
“With the Phantom Elite, Graham Engineering has set a benchmark for tonearms. Its precision and build quality are second to none, making it a reference choice for serious audiophiles.”
-Hi-Fi News
Technical Specs
Model
Phantom Elite
Type
Unipivot Tonearm
Effective length
235 mm (9“)
246,8 mm (10“)
308,8 mm (12“)
Effective mass
11,5 g (9“)
12 g (10“)
14 g (12“)
Distance spindle to pivot
217,4 mm (9“)
230,1 mm (10“)
295,6 mm (12“)
Overhang
17,6 mm (9“)
16,7 mm (10“)
13,2 mm (12“)
Arm base mount
SME (standard)
Cartridge weight
5-18 g
Output terminal
DIN 5 pin
Tonearm weight
1300 g
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