Upgrade The Tonearm, Why?

[RickeyM]

I'll ask the question here in a more Techie friendly forum. What exactly is it that makes a better tonearm, better? Replacing the stock tonearm seems to be a worthwhile mod because many have done it and heartily recommend it. Just what benefit does a better quality tonearm give? Excuse me if this seems like a silly question but I'm new to modding turntables and just trying to learn.

[Andrei]

There are many issues as to tonearm quality, and some issues as to features. For quality a good starting point is the Origin Live website: http://www.originlive.com/tonearms-overview.html
They do sell tonearms and also very much talk the talk but even so ...

[CageyH]

The tonearm is the interface that supports the cartridge.
You want to minimise any unwanted vibration being transferred to the cartridge/stylus as this will affect the information retrieved from the record surface, and therefore sound quality.

[Oldpinkman]

It sort of begs the question "what does it matter which turntable I use?". The implication being all that matters is robust reliable construction and a stable rotational speed. (the obvious distinguishing features of the sl1200).which would render all the other mods discussed somewhere between exotic fantasy and nerdy tweaking.

In fact, the key job of the turntable - the arm and the motor unit, is to let the cartridge work as an electrical generator accurately. Since the cartridge works by generating electricity when the stylus, via the cantilever moves a magnet on the other end in some coils of wire (or vice versa for mc) the key is to make sure that they stay still. At a microscopic level. But, environmental factors feed energy into both the platter/mat which the record is sitting on, and the arm which is holding the cartridge. And that energy wiggles the stylus and produces unwanted electricity from the cartridge which muddies and confuses the electrical signal we wanted.

Prove this to yourself. Clean your stylus with the amp switched on and listen to the noise. Then, rest the stylus on a record and tap the record (whilst the tt is not spinning). Your tapping energy makes noise through the speakers. Often you can talk loudly at the stylus and hear it play through the speakers (better with headphones - if you hear it easily through the speakers you are often close to howl around). Try tapping the plinth with a screwdriver and see if you can hear it "played" by the cartridge.

And in addition to external unwanted energy fed into this mechanical system the turntable generates a relatively huge amount of its own. Especially the stylus dragged through the groove. Turn off your amp, play a record, put your ear near the record and listen to the "needle chatter".
How your record player deals with that unwanted energy (as opposed to the wanted energy of the record groove moving the stylus) affects how your music sounds.

As the origon post notes, damping as a solution has some serious limitations. They affect platters and mats as much as arms.

[MikeMusic]

Modding any kit can improve sound quality

I went from Jelco on my Tech to a Fidelity Research
Big jump - admittedly the FR had one of Speedy Steve's arm boards. Tested both at his place as he is competent at such things and I less so

[ChrisKemp]

I asked the same question a while back.

First I upgraded the internal wires to KAB Cardas wires. That was really a big upgrade here.
Then I bought the KAB Fluid Damper. Not a huge difference, but bass was now tighter and midrange a little cleaner. But, the total upgrade of those two, was HUGE compared to standard. And most will be happy with those two upgrades.

I wanted to take it a bit further, so this summer I upgraded to a IsoKinetik Silver Melody tonearm. And boy! It blew the original KAB arm away! Tighter deeper bass, clearer midrange and voices and beutiful smooth highs! But it's an expensive arm. But for me it was wourth it.

[walpurgis]

Modding any kit can improve sound quality

Or destroy it!

You have to be careful.

[Rush2112]

In the good old days !!! There were dealers never too far away who would happily dem the difference a tonearm made but not sure how easy that would be now ! I guess it's chatting on here to find the answers but for me if you like the deck and it's worth spending on a dearer arm go for the best you can afford. I bought the SME V when I only intended to stretch to the IV and have never regretted the decision or felt the need to try anything else it's ease of use and set up has made changing cartridges a doddle.

[MikeMusic]

Or destroy it!

You have to be careful.

Outside the box with things others use.
Going in or doing 'brave' things not for me

[Rush2112]

I have to agree that DIY tonearm re wiring etc is not for me ! I remember a retired engineer coming into Chantey Audio with a shoe box contains the various parts of disassembled SME which despite his best efforts he had been unable to re-assemble after attempting a rewire! Fortunately the nice folks at SME obliged at a very reasonable cost from memory so I thinks it's definitely a case of leave well alone for most of us! Although the Internet is a wonderful source of "how to" guides.