Tri-Planar Ultimate II Tonearm Review

How Does the Tri-Planar Ultimate II Sound?

If you have read up to this point, you’ll realize just how stupid this question really is. I simply do not credit tonearms for a “sound” — I credit tonearms for their lack of sound. In that respect, I can confidently say that, once optimized for each cartridge, the Tri-Planar delivered and conveyed exactly the same message though each of the three transducers. So quiet is its operation and ability to drain away outside influence, that each cartridge delivered a level of detail and rock stable image that was nothing short of amazing. In fact, as much as I have always admired the sound of my vintage Technics low output moving magnet cartridge, the Tri-Planar enabled it to deliver an upper bass and midrange clarity, detail, and unity to its sound that would be the envy of many lesser moving coils in today’s world. (A.J. Van Den Hul really nailed it many many moons ago).

In the case of the aging Accuphase AC2, the Tri-Planar enabled it to deliver cleaner and more resolved upper registers without the slight “shimmer” of instability of the EPA-500M. In addition, there was a new-found authority in the bass region that was something new and refreshing to experience from this particular cartridge. Images are classic 3D as with any Nakatsuka-San design, however the Tri-Planar enabled the AC-2 to provide greater insight and stability to the rear of the soundstage and as well as generate an improved and more realistic image height.

Once I moved to the superior ZYX Yatra after much tweaking of the damping paddle, the Tri-Planar Ultimate II was clearly able to outdistance my vintage tonearm system in some very significant ways. The newly mated pair yielded clean, tight, yet tonally rich bass. Also, thanks to the immaculate noise floor of the Merrill-Williams R.E.A.L. 101 turntable, the images were not only broad and deep, but also quiet and crystalline clear on live recordings. In fact, once the Merrill-Williams R.E.A.L. 101 / Tri-Planar Ultimate II/ ZYX Yatra marriage was made and optimized, nearly every single LP I played during this period of the review required me to lift the cueing after every one or two cuts so that I could write my notes because I simply could not tear myself away from the music. Specifically, the Tri-Planar proved to have all of those endearing qualities that have held me strong on the EPA-500 (after modifications). However, that’s only the beginning. The Tri-Planar Ultimate II enabled deeper and more detailed layering of images. High frequencies were pristinely rendered and stable without so much as a hint of blurring. The Tri-Planar Ultimate II enabled the ZYX Yatra to deliver midrange clarity, warmth, detail, and outstanding life-like performance on strings. Closely miked male vocals were beautifully resolved without so much as hint of heaviness or resonant aberrations. Indeed, the Tri-Planar Ultimate II proved to be the most silent of partners in the LP playback system. I couldn’t possibly transcribe everything from my listening notes, so instead I am including at the end of this essay, a portion of the playlist that clearly enabled the finest qualities of the Tri-Planar Ultimate II to emerge (the knee-slapping, head bopping, and goose bump moments!).

In Summary

It is clear that the Tri-Planar Ultimate II is the culmination of a lifelong passion for music. The tonearm Tri Mai has developed here is a methodically thought out, meticulously engineered, and brilliantly executed musical instrument. It offers a set of features and configurability that enable phono cartridges from all walks of life to deliver their maximum performance. In my view, this rarest of combinations of configurability, build quality, and performance, is without peers. The Tri-Planar Ultimate II is a music component of the highest order that enables phono cartridges to deliver their best. Kudos Tri Mai, for a truly exceptional product. Highly recommended.