Technics EPA-100 tonearm

[fletchdirect]

Hi All - I have a couple of Technics SP10mk2s, both in SH10B3 plinths but one is with an SME V. Apart from the performance, I like the adjustability and ease of cartridge mounting of the SME.

BUT, I'd like to try a Technics EPA-100 arm with the other SP10. This was the original arm sold at the time, to make the system of a SL-1000MK2 (SP10, SH10, EPA100). Its very well specified, titanium nitride armtube, and very adjustable - and has a SME fit for the headshell.

There isn't much good user experience info online, so wondered if anyone here had any experience of this arm? It goes for approx £1000 in very good condition, which is not too far off the cost of a new SME M2.

All help / comments very much appreciated!!

[phonomac]

Two things to watch out for with the EPA-100: the ruby bearing balls in the arm pivots can fracture quite easily if overloaded (that's why Technics used spring-loaded pivot pins), and if the rubber diaphragm in the counterweight rots or ruptures then the silicone oil leaks out and the variable damping feature is lost. You will find more info at these links:

https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/t.mpl?f=vinyl&m=897243

and

http://db.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.ht...e%3D%26sort%3D

Having worked on a couple of these my own view is that for the Mk1 the fixing of the bearing housing to the arm pillar is quite mediocre for an arm of this quality. It sort of works but is not confidence-inspiring.

regards

Angus