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Thread: Tonearm servicing?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2018

    Location: Suffolk, UK

    Posts: 55
    I'm Steve.

    Default Tonearm servicing?

    Anyone know / recommend somewhere in the UK that services tonearms?

    Not fault repair but a general clean, align, oil or whatever. I've been offered a high-end SME for good money but would like to get it "up on the ramp" with someone who knows what they're doing.

    I did enquire with SME but they only offer a complete 'back to new rebuild' for £666 (yes...)

    Cheers,

    Steve

  2. #2
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 9,228
    I'm Josie.

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    IME Johnnie of Audio Origami is superb...

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  3. #3
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    Personally, I'd give Phonomac of this parish a shout.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2018

    Location: Suffolk, UK

    Posts: 55
    I'm Steve.

    Default

    Brilliant, thanks both.

    Steve

  5. #5
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 1,064
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by steveharman View Post
    Anyone know / recommend somewhere in the UK that services tonearms?

    I've been offered a high-end SME

    Steve
    Which one ? A Five-twelve or just a Five ? You should be able to check it over yourself. Basically it's external condition, bearings and phono cabling., which should be pretty easy to assess when mounted. SMEs are fairly rugged and don't need oil or alignment unless obviously distorted. All best done before purchase, of course.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex

    Posts: 7,087
    I'm Dave.

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    Audio Origami is the man. Knows the subject inside out, does a great job and won't rip you off.

    If the arm is one of the recent models and looks to be in good condition, from a good home, I would just use it.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Another shout for Johnnie.

    He's fettled both my old technoarm and my SME V, top work top guy.
    He's probably forgotten more about tonearms than some folk have learned.
    AC POWER
    Hardwired 10kVA balanced mains powering entire system
    AMPS
    Meridian 557 power Amp (Modded) / PS Audio BHK Preamp (Modded)
    SPEAKERS
    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
    DAC
    PS Audio Directstream (Modded)
    TURNTABLE
    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
    PHONOSTAGE
    Pro-Ject DS3 B balanced Input (TT and Phonostage powered by Pro-Ject Power box RS2 linear psu)
    DIGITAL
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    MUSIC PLAYBACK
    Tweaked AP-Linux based Roon Server into Oppo 203 as Roon endpoint
    Ipad Roon Remote.
    Apple Music/ YouTube via AppleTV, fed to Dac via Oppo HDMI input/i2s output to Dac.
    SPEAKER CABLES
    Biwired: Duelund DCA10GA (Bass) Duelund DCA16GA (mid & treble) Duelund 12DCA used as jumpers (On
    "Blackcat Cable" Chris Sommivigo's advice - yup, even with biwire it sounds better - and it does)
    INTERCONNECTS
    All Balanced: Ghost+ recording studio XLR cables

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jan 2008

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 1,064
    I'm Mike.

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    I have Johnnie's 12" chrome PU7 on my deck and find it a lovely arm to use, quite apart from sounding good. Had a Five prior to this; great arm if a bit fiddly.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Essex

    Posts: 31,853
    I'm openingabottleofwine.

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    Another vote for Johnnie from me. He replaced the perished counterweight stub decoupling rubber bushes on a couple of 3009 arms for me. Excellent service, and quick turnaround.
    Barry

  10. #10
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: Surrey

    Posts: 4,162
    I'm Mike.

    Default

    Johnnie is *the* man for arms
    TAD CD / DAC / Pre, Technics 1210, MCRU PSU, Mike New Bearing & Platter, Stillpoints LP1 weight, Speedy Steve Ebony armboard, Fidelity Research FR64FX arm, Ortofon SPU. Aurorasound VIDA Phono Pre Amp, TAD Power Amp, TAD E1 speakers. Coherent RTZ 3 Grounding box, Coherent grounding cables, Creaktiv racks. Coherent Mains Cables. SR Blue Fuse. Interconnects : Coherent and Yannis 223.5 Connect Litz. Coherent speaker cable. Audio Magic Transcendence Conditioner. Coherent mains socket. Mains Filters : , PS Audio Harvesters, Russ Andrews Purifiers, Tacima, Vertex. Black Ravioli and RDC supports. Electric Beach S1NX platforms for TAD CD and Technics. Ferrite chokes everywhere except the above. Ears, brain

    Mike

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