nat8808
13-06-2012, 13:30
I have another of these coming my way so thought I'd pass on this one to anyone interested.
Condition:
Very smooth bearings and dynamic downforce/anti skate all working well when selected (can be disengaged too).
As you can see below, the finger lift is missing and so the previous owner had gone to town on the headshell bolts a little which is only cosmetic and I've not found it hinder cart mounting adjustment. It is not mint by any means but perfectly presentable and still shows it's beauty well!
I had been using it on my Pink Triangle Anniversary with a Koetsu when I had it - was sounding great and all working well. I would say though that visually, the internal wiring is wearing a little (exposed coper) in the bearing area so I would suggest a re-wire for future reliability.
So, to take into account the above, room in price to allow for a re-wire and non-mint condition, I'm asking £500 for a very rare arm that some would consider the best arm ever made!
Was The Absolute Sound's top arm until production stopped..
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5416/sg101113.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6329/sg101109.jpg
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2549/sg101107.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3096/sg101104.jpg
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/2695/sg100553.jpg
More Info
It is based on the superb Breuer range of arms but with design improvements such as:
Metal bearings rather than Nylon as in the long term the Nylon absorbs moisture and expands slightly. Was thought to be a problem by the Sumiko designer.
Counterweight is placed as close to the bearing as possible.
Designed by David Feltcher (of SOTA fame) and all of these were hand machined by one single master metal worker! Each has it's own serial number engraved on the bearing housing. The craftsman's skills were one of the insipirations of the designer to get the arm made in the first place.
I've an interview with the designer in a Hifi News mag - one of the Designer Series articles from mid/late 80s - where he talks about the design.
It has the smoothest bearings I've felt which is why I love the arm along with its looks and sonics of course.
Here are its specs (Mine has an 'X' weight which is designed for Koetsu wood types/Black's effective mass, 12g) :
Effective arm length: 228.6mm
Pivot to rear of arm: 63.5mm
Cartridge overhang: 18.17mm
Offset angle: 24.14 degrees
Mounting distance: 210.43mm
Height adjustment range: 35 to 57mm
Tracking force adjustment: 1.75g max calibrated (more using counterweight)
Bearing type: 4-point gimbal ball race and cone
Bearing friction: less than 10mg
Arm lead capacitance: 100pf
Cartridge weight range: 4 to 18g
Effective mass: 11g (with L weight)
Condition:
Very smooth bearings and dynamic downforce/anti skate all working well when selected (can be disengaged too).
As you can see below, the finger lift is missing and so the previous owner had gone to town on the headshell bolts a little which is only cosmetic and I've not found it hinder cart mounting adjustment. It is not mint by any means but perfectly presentable and still shows it's beauty well!
I had been using it on my Pink Triangle Anniversary with a Koetsu when I had it - was sounding great and all working well. I would say though that visually, the internal wiring is wearing a little (exposed coper) in the bearing area so I would suggest a re-wire for future reliability.
So, to take into account the above, room in price to allow for a re-wire and non-mint condition, I'm asking £500 for a very rare arm that some would consider the best arm ever made!
Was The Absolute Sound's top arm until production stopped..
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5416/sg101113.jpg
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/6329/sg101109.jpg
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2549/sg101107.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3096/sg101104.jpg
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/2695/sg100553.jpg
More Info
It is based on the superb Breuer range of arms but with design improvements such as:
Metal bearings rather than Nylon as in the long term the Nylon absorbs moisture and expands slightly. Was thought to be a problem by the Sumiko designer.
Counterweight is placed as close to the bearing as possible.
Designed by David Feltcher (of SOTA fame) and all of these were hand machined by one single master metal worker! Each has it's own serial number engraved on the bearing housing. The craftsman's skills were one of the insipirations of the designer to get the arm made in the first place.
I've an interview with the designer in a Hifi News mag - one of the Designer Series articles from mid/late 80s - where he talks about the design.
It has the smoothest bearings I've felt which is why I love the arm along with its looks and sonics of course.
Here are its specs (Mine has an 'X' weight which is designed for Koetsu wood types/Black's effective mass, 12g) :
Effective arm length: 228.6mm
Pivot to rear of arm: 63.5mm
Cartridge overhang: 18.17mm
Offset angle: 24.14 degrees
Mounting distance: 210.43mm
Height adjustment range: 35 to 57mm
Tracking force adjustment: 1.75g max calibrated (more using counterweight)
Bearing type: 4-point gimbal ball race and cone
Bearing friction: less than 10mg
Arm lead capacitance: 100pf
Cartridge weight range: 4 to 18g
Effective mass: 11g (with L weight)