Arm for 1210

[keith1962]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Never been a fan of the SME iv poor v having tried on a couple of decks, sounds a bit mechanical to me. Preferred option out of the above is the FR 64 if I can find one and decide go go this route. Need to decide between 1210 and the 301 and having heard both (but not at the same time and not both in my system) I am genuinely 50/50 on which to choose. Hope to hear a well sorted 310 in my system this week and be able to compare with the 1210 so should know more then. Have to say I am VERY impressed by the 1210 with the mods it has but still the standard.arm.a better arm should make it even better I would hope. If I go the 301 route I will need a plinth but will be able to use my Audio Creative 12" arm.
Hugo, have you managed to listen to your 1210 with the new Jelco yet? Would that be as good as the FR?
KR Keith.

[Ammonite Audio]

No, not listened to the new knife-edged Jelco yet, but hopefully in the next day or so. It will be very interesting to compare it to the FR-64S, and indeed a standard Jelco SA-750D, using the same cartridge and tonearm cable in each case. I’ll have to do the sound quality comparison using the new Jelco on the SL-1200GR and the FR-64S on the old Kenwood KD-990 so not exactly the same conditions for each test.

[mikeyb]

I did a loose mockup of my FR-64S on the SL-1200GR and mounted at very close to 230mm, in one of my own Technics armboards (albeit the SME version), it does look like there would be little trouble using the FR-64S in a Technics SL-1200/1210.

You mean like this ......



One of Steve’s Ebony Armboards with my Fidelity Research FX64 arm, Orsonic AV101s Headshell and Decca Gold cartridge.

[keith1962]

Will be interesting to hear what you think. That FR64 of yours is not for sale is it should I go for the 1210?

[mikeyb]

Sorry not for sale

I think it all sounds excellent, mind you the deck has every mod as recommended on the Techiepedia section, and being honest if I was going for the same deck now, I’d just buy a new 1210G and save all the hassle

I only really bought the arm as I had a Mission 774 on it before and although that was excellent too, I just thought the FX64 would be an investment and that the S arm suited the look of the deck better than the straight 774 ( which I still have fitted to my Michell Focus One ).

Sorry can’t express my thoughts on the FX arm as I’m not sure I could tell any difference between the arms as it takes that long to change over so you forget how things sound. I know a couple of members here have heard my 1210 and have been impressed and they have better ears than me

[paulf-2007]

This Audiomods arm is currently on my 1210 but is destined to replace an SME V on my Michell TT.

These are hand made to order but do use a heavily modified Rega arm tube and are my favourite arm. This particular one has been tuned to suit my cartridges and replaced my SME V which I sold a few weeks back. I found the SME a bit too polite but this arm gives the same detail with more life. A few photos below - note the ease by which VTA can be set

The Audiomods is a very versatile arm, I used one on my 401 and on my denon before I was seduced by the stax.

[keith1962]

Sorry not for sale

I think it all sounds excellent, mind you the deck has every mod as recommended on the Techiepedia section, and being honest if I was going for the same deck now, I’d just buy a new 1210G and save all the hassle

I only really bought the arm as I had a Mission 774 on it before and although that was excellent too, I just thought the FX64 would be an investment and that the S arm suited the look of the deck better than the straight 774 ( which I still have fitted to my Michell Focus One ).

Sorry can’t express my thoughts on the FX arm as I’m not sure I could tell any difference between the arms as it takes that long to change over so you forget how things sound. I know a couple of members here have heard my 1210 and have been impressed and they have better ears than me

Ah, sorry Mikey, didn't see your post, was actually asking Hugo if he was selling

[Ammonite Audio]

Ah, sorry Mikey, didn't see your post, was actually asking Hugo if he was selling

Sorry, no. It’s the only really top class arm that I have currently that fits the Kenwood. Things might be different in due course when I have a Glanz arm here (maybe the MH-104S), but I am actually very reluctant to even think about selling the FR-64S. FR owners will understand why!

[keith1962]

I didnt really expect that you would be Hugo, just a cheeky little ask by me. I thought you had a 12" Reed arm on your Kenwood?

I heard a 401 and a 301 yesterday at Northwest Analogue and they sounded the same apart from cartridge and arm which made a huge difference as might be expected. The 301had a 12" 3012 and Koetsu and the 401 had an Audiomods 9" with one of Dom's own cartridges, the DH3. Set up like that the 401 was streets ahead of the 301 and the 1210 I have on loan with Shilabe but on the standard 1210 arm and wiring. Dom then put one of his DH1 cart on the 301 and with that it was a match for the 401 but with a slightly different presentation from the 12" arm compared to the 9" and also the slightly different plinths.

Lessons from the day are:
-1210, 301 or 401 all have that drive and pitch stability, and I would be perfectly happy with any of them.
-The standard arm on the 1210 is a massive road block and if I go with the 1210 a new arm will definitely be needed.
-The Audiomods arm is excellent and is now a contender as it can be tailored to match the cart, Doms cart is 20g or something similar and sounded fantastic on the arm.
-Dom's carts, the DH1 and DH3 are absolutely stunning in the set up I heard yesterday, and if you are looking to spend a huge amount on a cart then they should be on your list for demonstration.
Huge thanks to Dom and Natalie for their hospitality yesterday, it was really good to hear two well sorted Garrards and system.

[mikeyb]

Ah, sorry Mikey, didn't see your post, was actually asking Hugo if he was selling

No worries.