Tri-Planar

Mk VII U2 Classic

Introduced 2006$7,200 MSRP

Hand-built Minneapolis tonearm descended from Herb Papier's original Tri-Planar design, with true on-the-fly VTA adjustment via its calibrated tower. Uses precision captured bearings and a damped dual-section armtube.

MSRP

$7,200

Used market · Mint

$4,500

-38% vs MSRP

as of Sep 1, 2026

Sell or trade this Add to my system

MSRP to used market

From $4,500 at launch to $4,500 today.

Specifications

Type: 9.8-inch gimbal tonearm
Mount: dedicated Tri-Planar base
Price: $7,500 (Mk VII U2 Classic); $8,850–$8,995 (U2 SE variant, carbon fiber/silver wiring)
Bearing: precision captured ball bearings
Damping: Silicone-fluid trough damping; hardened and polished needle cones in the bearing assembly
Bearing type: Avionic dual-pivot gimbal bearing design
Adjustability: Independently adjustable in three planes: vertical tracking angle, azimuth, and lateral tracking (the "Tri-Planar" namesake feature)
Effective mass: 11 g (standard counterweight configuration)
Company history: Founded by Herb Papier, 1981; ownership passed to Tri Mai in 1999; current Mk VII generation introduced 2003
Effective length: 250 mm (9.8")
Effective mass: 11 g
Armwand materials: Composite wand with coaxial damping and continuous-run oxygen-free copper internal wiring (U2 Classic); carbon-fiber wand with silver internal wiring on the related U2 SE variant; finished in black or silver anodized aluminum
Effective length: 250 mm