Basis Audio SuperArm9, 12.5, AND 16
Basis Audio’s SuperArm series brings exceptional tracking stability, low-resonance control, and strikingly quiet vinyl playback to ambitious analog systems. Wayne Garcia found the SuperArm 9 dramatically more resolving and musically immersive than the Vector IV, while its substantial, rigid construction helps uncover texture and presence deep in familiar records.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
97/100
Build Quality
96/100
Features Usability
50/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally stable dual-bearing design reduces mistracking and bearing chatter.
High rigidity and low resonance contribute to quieter grooves, lower distortion, and markedly improved resolution.
Materials, fit, and finish represent a major step up from the already accomplished Basis Vector IV.
Cons
Its substantial mass and demanding mounting geometry require a suitably compatible turntable.
The roughly threefold price increase over the Vector IV makes it a significant investment.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 97/100
The available review describes an exceptionally revealing, immersive presentation, with quieter grooves and a striking increase in resolution. Its stability, rigidity, and low-resonance design are also credited with making records sound more controlled and natural.
Overall Sound
97/100
Wayne Garcia found the sonic improvement over the Basis Vector "mind-bogglingly" apparent, describing familiar LPs as though he were hearing them for the first time. He praises the arm for bringing the listener closer to the mastertape and performers, with resolution and musical immersion that he considers exceptional.
Tracking Performance
97/100
Garcia calls the arm exceptionally stable and says it eliminates bearing chatter while demonstrably reducing mistracking. He also reports substantially lower resonance and distortion, along with unusually quiet grooves, supporting its ability to hold the stylus securely and cleanly through demanding playback.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
Basis supplies an alignment template, mounting tools, and an integral RCA or XLR cable, but the review does not address day-to-day adjustment procedures. The published fitment requirements make clear that these are physically substantial arms intended for suitably accommodating turntables.
Adjustability
50/100
The supplied tools and alignment template suggest that installation is supported, but the review provides no information on VTA, azimuth, anti-skate, or tracking-force adjustment precision. There is also no discussion of whether setup changes can be made conveniently once the arm is installed.
Cartridge Compatibility
50/100
The available material does not state effective mass or identify the range of cartridge compliances the arm best suits. The SuperArm is offered in 9-, 12.5-, and 16-inch versions, but the review does not assess cartridge matching or mounting flexibility.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
96/100
The review calls the SuperArm a "balls-to-the-wall effort," with materials, fit, and finish that are a major step up from the already capable Vector. Its greater-than-expected mass is paired with much higher rigidity and substantially lower resonance, indicating a carefully engineered, highly substantial assembly.
Value for Money
85/100
Garcia notes that the SuperArm carries roughly a threefold price increase over the Vector and finds its materials, finish, and performance gains substantial. However, he does not directly judge whether the higher asking price represents especially strong value against competing tonearms.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- EFFECTIVE LENGTH
- 239mm
- PIVOT TO SPINDLE DISTANCE
- 222mm
- TOTAL MASS
- Approx. 1200g
- ACCESSORIES FURNISHED
- Integral 4 foot (1.2 meter) tonearm cable, RCA or XLR balanced wiring Alignment template All necessary tools for mounting and all adjustments
- OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- Mounting flange for mounting on non-Basis turntables Machined aluminum mounting jig to position the SuperArm correctly on non-Basis turntables
- TURNTABLE COMPATIBILITY
- The A.J. Conti Transcendence, the Work of Art, the Inspiration, the 2500, 2200, or any turntable that can accommodate a 222mm pivot to spindle distance, has a platter height of 30mm or greater above the armboard surface, and is able to physically support the weight of a 1200 gram tonearm
- EFFECTIVE LENGTH
- 318mm
- PIVOT TO SPINDLE DISTANCE
- 305mm
- TOTAL MASS
- Approx. 1220g
- ACCESSORIES FURNISHED
- Integral 4 foot (1.2 meter) tonearm cable, RCA or XLR balanced wiring Alignment template All necessary tools for mounting and all adjustments
- OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- Mounting flange for mounting on non-Basis turntables Machined aluminum mounting jig to position the SuperArm correctly on non-Basis turntables
- TURNTABLE COMPATIBILITY
- The A.J.Conti Transcendence or any turntable that can accommodate a 305mm pivot to spindle distance, has a platter height of 30mm or greater above the armboard surface, and is able to physically support the weight of a 1220 gram tonearm
- EFFECTIVE LENGTH
- 406mm
- PIVOT TO SPINDLE
- DISTANCE: 396mm
- TOTAL MASS
- Approx. 1250g
- ACCESSORIES FURNISHED
- Integral 4 foot (1.2 meter) tonearm cable, RCA or XLR balanced wiring Alignment template All necessary tools for mounting and all adjustments
- OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
- Mounting flange for mounting on non-Basis turntables Machined aluminum mounting jig to position the SuperArm correctly on non-Basis turntables
- TURNTABLE COMPATIBILITY
- The A.J.Conti Transcendence or any turntable that can accommodate a 396mm pivot to spindle distance, has a platter height of 30mm or greater above the armboard surface, and is able to physically support the weight of a 1220 gram tonearm
Manufacturer's Description — Basis Audio
Read The Absolute Sound review of the SuperArm 9 by Robert Harley
Mission Statement
The goal for the Basis SuperArm has been simple, clear, and direct from the beginning: “To fully maximize the extraction of every detail from LP records, the full dynamics available from the grooves, without editorializing in the process”.
Most tonearms fit the description “tonearm” quite well: they have their own “tone” and character. The Basis SuperArm is designed to be as free as possible from any tone, character, or coloration in order to recapture the original recorded event as closely as possible.
Beyond a very literal extraction of the music from the grooves of the record, special attention was paid to the extremely delicate signal from the vertical modulation of the record grooves which contains the small “difference signal”, the left channel minus right channel information. The stereo width is revelatory, along with very precise focus of the locations of each instrument, voice, and sound source.
History
Basis designer A.J. Conti began investigating tonearm design in 1983 when he designed the original Basis turntable, the Debut. From that start Conti has tested over 125 tonearms on the Debut and subsequent Basis turntables. Basis introduced its Vector tonearm in 1999, which was quickly received as a state of the art product. The physics of tonearm behavior continued to be an obsession for Conti, with research and testing constantly progressing.
The Basis SuperArm is the result of A.J.’s continued research, his experience in turntable, tonearm, and cable design and manufacturing, along with his education in engineering and pre-audio background in the aerospace/defense field.
In 2018, A.J.’s achievement in tonearm design in the SuperArm was officially recognized by the Absolute Sound magazine with their prestigious Golden Ear Award.
Performance
As stated in the “Mission Statement”, the goal for the Basis SuperArm has been simple, clear, and direct from the beginning: “To fully maximize the extraction of every detail from LP records, the full dynamics available from the grooves, without editorializing in the process”.
Yet, there really was no way to know just how much more dynamics, imaging, and fine detail the records grooves really contained. The SuperArm clearly shows that there is a significant increase in dynamics, bass depth, bass power, clarity, and imaging information within the grooves that we have never heard before from any tonearm.
Those who have heard the Basis SuperArm agree: the vinyl playback game has changed. Hearing is indeed believing. Vinyl and music lovers will be especially excited to hear the lifelike dynamics, truly opening up a new level of realism in vinyl playback.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Basis Audio SuperArm9, 12.5, AND 16
- American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Galen Carol Audio — online and in-store — San Antonio, Texas, United States (website)
- Glenn Poors AV — in-store — Champaign, Illinois, United States (website)
- Goodwin's High End — online and in-store — Waltham, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- HiFi Sound — in-store — Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (website)
- LP Gear — online and in-store — Henderson, Nevada, United States (website)
- Optimal Enchantment — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Stereo Squares — online and in-store — Michigan City, Indiana, United States (website)
- Take 5 Audio — in-store — Southbury, Connecticut, United States (website)