Anyone use a Rega RB 300 on a Techy?

[MWalt]

I just picked up an RB 300 with structural mods (Exprissimo)and incognito wiring. I was wondering if anyone used this type of arm on an SL 1200 and if so, what is your opinion on the sound? I am currently using a Sumiko MMT with an AT 33EV cart. Worth swapping out?

[alex_san78]

Hi Mark!
I've read here some posts about synergy of Rega and Techie. As I understood it is not the best match. Search through the forum, you will find some info.

[chris@panteg]

I think you should try it , see if you like it ? As everyone has a different best sound ! As it were , if you don't like it , sell it on .

[freefallrob]

In my experience it works well and sounds much better than the stock arm or even slightly modded stock arm.

I have done a direct comparison with two SL1210mk2 (no mixing desk though!) one equipped with an RB300 and the other the standard arm, some cartridge/stylus (2M Red and Blue), the stylus was swapped between the arms, EAR834P was used as phonostage, NAD amp, B & W 705 speakers.

The Rega really had it in terms of dynamics, focus and being able to follow individual instruments, the biggest difference was when the music got complicated and demanding/loud, the standard arm compressed where the Rega remained open. As a side note i'd say on simple music the Technics arm was slightly nicer in the treble area, the Rega sounding rougher, but to be honest all the other improvements out weighed this alot.

There does seem a consensus that the Jelcos are a fine match for the Technics, possibly better than the Regas, unfortunately i've never heard one, so can't comment, hope to one day.

[Stratmangler]

I have a modded RB250 (OL stub & counterweight/Incognito rewire) on a Techie and it works well.

[RobbieGong]

In my experience it works well and sounds much better than the stock arm or even slightly modded stock arm.

I have done a direct comparison with two SL1210mk2 (no mixing desk though!) one equipped with an RB300 and the other the standard arm, some cartridge/stylus (2M Red and Blue), the stylus was swapped between the arms, EAR834P was used as phonostage, NAD amp, B & W 705 speakers.

The Rega really had it in terms of dynamics, focus and being able to follow individual instruments, the biggest difference was when the music got complicated and demanding/loud, the standard arm compressed where the Rega remained open. As a side note i'd say on simple music the Technics arm was slightly nicer in the treble area, the Rega sounding rougher, but to be honest all the other improvements out weighed this alot.

There does seem a consensus that the Jelcos are a fine match for the Technics, possibly better than the Regas, unfortunately i've never heard one, so can't comment, hope to one day.

I hear you Rob - In my experience I can see that the stock arm could kind of start to lose it's composure a tad due to it's very thin and light build, although does sound good when listening at reasonable levels. If you can keep resonance at bay as much as possible ie: protect the arm a bit from the nasties by adding a Fluid KAB damper and screw one of the plastic resonance caps into the end of the balance weight (if your not using the little chrome extra weight stub) then she'll be sounding very good indeed up to more than adeqoute volume levels. With these assists on board and the 2M Black I'm very pleased with my MK5g's composure and seperation of instruments at volumes that are more than enough for me. Remember not everyone finds they prefer the Rega arm change (Search the net and other sites like I have). I've said many times that It seems such a shame to bin the superb fly on the wheel vta adjust. A so called better arm may well end up sounding not quite that if you cant adjust vta with the ease of the beloved stock Techie. Some cartridges are ver suseptible to accuracy of vta in my experience. Being able to adjust while a tune is playing and then just hearing where it suddenly sounds right is priceless. I think it is no mistake or gimmick that Technics included it. If adjusting vta to within a nats is difficult ie; spacers and all sorts of fiddly hassle then I just couldn't be asked. I'll consider an arm change on my Techie one day, simply because I know the stock arm can be bettered, BUT I'd want something that allows me to retain the excellent stock vta adjust or comes with one of it's own that is just as good. P.S- Remember, these are just my views, based on my own experience with the vta sensitive 2M Black (Shibata stylus). I'm hoping to try It's big brother Ortofon Jubilee mc one day which shares the same high quality nude Shibata stylus, Shibata digs detail out of the groove like you wouldn't believe, very smooth and detailed when set up right and protrays timbre and texture like you wouldn't believe, very life like, 3D and addictive ! - hence all above as expressed :D

[MWalt]

The Rega RB 300 arm that I have is highly modded with much better wiring/cabling (Incognito) and the structural mod with the improved end stub and counterweight. I like the way my Sumiko/Jelco arm sounds on the deck as it currently sits. Previously, I had a highly modded stock arm and it was much better than stock, but not as good as the minty Sumiko MMT that now resides on the deck. I sold it. I have read a lot of posts on different forums, especially this one, where many have claimed a poor synergy between the Technics and the Rega type of arms. I have another project (a vintage belt drive Pioneer PL-41 ) that is highly modded that I could mount either the Rega or the Sumiko on. I wanted to hear some opinions from those that have tried this combo before I buy a new armboard for the Rega. Origin Live and ZU Audio both seem to like the Rega/Technics combo. FWIW, it seems that Americans love Rega and gear from the UK far more than the Technics SL-1200. The SL-1200 often gets looked down upon as a "DJ" turntable. :scratch:

[Nigel]

I prefer my Audio Origami modded RB300 arm to the standard Technics on my SL1210. There's an interesting Hi-Fi World review of this combination. I can't find it on the net but I have a copy if anyone would like me to email it to them.

Thinking back, Stewart Wennen, think he's from the north west of England, was the first guy I'd read that tried this alternative. We are going back to the early 2000's, was this the first ever UK Technics tweak I ask myself?

http://www.tonearm.co.uk/Technics_sl1200_1210_dj_turntable.pdf

Is another review worth reading.

[DSJR]

I'm wondering if one of those fancy wooden arm-board jobbies might suit the Techie/Rega better than the metal ones normally used? Even an HDF (or MDF for all I know) board might work well if the arm height can be got right.. All guess-work, but the RB series is a highly tightened "closed" structure and Linn made a point in their arms by having some breaks in the construction, which supposedly helped to break up energy transmission - supposedly..... :)

The RB300 in totally stock form truly came to life on an NAS Spacedeck, so I know it can sing. I also don't now doubt the benefits a re-wire Incognito style would offer as well, because the Rega internal wires are incredibly thin (I think they're thinner than those used in the R200 too) and very easily broken..

[Gromit]

On a previous 1210 of mine I did for a while use a fully AO-modded RB251 (a beautiful thing, breathed upon by the great J7) and at first was blown away by what it brought to the party. Over time though I did find it wearing - it was in many ways too much of a good thing (startling dynamics was one of those things) but it just made the deck sound clumsy as though it was, musically speaking, breaking eggshells with a sledgehammer.

I tried several cartridges in it - Lyra Dorian, Ortofon MC15 Super and an Audio Note IQ3 but none could get rid of the lack of finesse. Putting the OEM back on, whilst not as forensic in its detail portrayal, was no small relief. Now, I'm one of those people who is a great fan of the RB's. Shortly after its release I went to the RB300 on my old (R200'ded) Planar 3 and the RB was simply better in every way, certainly with the cartridge(s) I was using at the time.

Still, I am wondering if the OL armboard could have been partly to blame on the 1210? I could never get the azimuth spot on, and it was a total PITA to fit. I've still got it in a drawer in the garage because whilst yes, I could sell it, I wouldn't want to be guilty of giving someone else the grief trying to get it to work correctly.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I had a michell technoarm on my 1210 for about a year then removed it for a SME V, why? Well, I dont believe that the Rega arms have synergy with the 1210. I still use the same cartridge on my V (see my signature) that I used on the technoarm. The V took things to a whole new level and to be honest I dont think I'll replace it. The technoarm is a wonderous thing but not on a 1210. So my advice would be shop around try other arms. Lots of fun can be had putting an arm onto the 1210, virtually anything can be fitted with a little imagination. I think you'll find that other AOS'ers with tripped out 1210 have similar feelings.

[MWalt]

I just picked up a used Basis Audio 1400 without an arm. They originally came with a Rega arm option and are highly regarded here in the states. The Basis turntables are usually mentioned as peers to the VPI, Sota, Clearaudio, etc turntables. I will go ahead and mount the RB300 and compare it to my modded Techy and report back. I am still working on my vintage pioneer and will post pics when I'm done. Modding turntables is as fun as modding my Jeep or my boat. :D