Nah I'm with Marco on this one that deck is crying out for an FR-64 (probably the FX in bad boy black).
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Nice T/T, shame about the arm! ;)
More seriously, I think the 774 sounds good, but I just don't like how it looks. I like to see a nice 'fat' headshell stuck onto the end of a tonearm, so the Mission's 'minimalist' approach, in that respect, isn't for me.
I'd have put one of Denon's own broadcast arms (with detachable headshell), or an FR-64, on that T/T. Each to his own her own, I guess! :)
Marco.
Just checked the prices of the FR64's, I think I'll just stick to my Mission, as much as I'd like to try a Fidelity Research arm, at £1000+ I don't think it would be 4x better than the 774, however if anyone is selling an FR64 for around £500 let me know 😉
Don't listen to us, Mike. Just enjoy your Mission. Sonically, it's very good. Looks are a personal thing :)
Marco.
Lol, I like what the Mission does but then again I've only compared it to the stock arm which although isn't as good as the Mission I'm considering putting it back on just because it looks right if you know what I mean, the Mission looks odd on the Techie though, the FR54/64 would look 'right'. I think I've just admitted to liking the style/colour of an 'S' arm 😀
I can easily imagine the Mission outperforming the stock Technics arm. There's no comparison, really. Therefore, I'd stick with using the Mission until (if) you find something even better that suits your T/T's aesthetics.
If you're on the lookout for a quality S-shaped arm, and want to stick with the vintage option, but something cheaper than an FR, which will sound and look superb, rather than a modern arm like a Jelco, then consider those from Micro-Seiki, and the Denon arms I mentioned earlier, such as this little beauty, which can be found on the likes of German ebay for around £150:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/oNsFT1.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/P2EYYZ.jpg
Nice simple, classic vintage looks.
And that's only one of the many arms that Denon did. There are even nicer ones available, such as the DA-309:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/EYVI7o.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/6YoxYG.jpg
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/921/8FVgrX.jpg
That, or something else of its ilk, is what I'd have fitted to the Denon T/T shown earlier. It's what should accompany any classic Jap D/D turntable. Fit a DL-103 to one of those and you'd be in sonic heaven!
Marco.
Yeah the da309 is a nice arm