Budget-ish upgrades for Technics Sl 1210

[Bass900]

Evening all!

So I've recently taken ownership of a Technics SL1210 - price was low so its a bit rough looking and sounds ok through the Nagaoka MP110 Cart and Sumiko headshell I've installed.

However the tone arm looks bent (not the natural curve, I'm not that daft, it just doesnt look true/straight when viewed from the side) I guess it was damaged in transit.

So my options are , bearing in mind that my budget is at the lower end for all things audio:

1)Purchase a new Technics tone arm
2)Purchase a tone arm that would be an upgrade (I would prefer one to use with the recently bought Headshell & cart!)

To further tax your collective minds, at present I have a really poor phono pre amp. Obviously this is a great way for me to upgrade & improve my sound so do I:
1) Purchase something like the Rega Fono Mini A2D
2) Blow a bit more cash and upgrade my Cambridge Topaz AM1 amp to something more substantial that has an internal phono stage?

All guidance is greatly appreciated!

Steve

[synsei]

Hi Steve,

If it were me I would fix the arm first and then upgrade. Fixing the arm will give you a better insight into any improvements in performance gained through the upgrade path ;)

[The Grand Wazoo]

It the arm is bent, then the TT is broke - sort that first, no question.

[AlexM]

Can you post some pictures?

Are you sure it isn't just that the collar on the headshell has rotated?

[AlexM]

P.s. I have a 1210 tone arm kicking around if you do need to replace it.

[DSJR]

If you can solder, replacement arm assemblies aren't that expensive, although it should be possible to straighten the S pipe in it's bearing mounting, using a little loc-tite Studloc to anchor it and the fixing screws. Under a ton to sort, but Johnnie 7 can do a great job fettling the arm, re-wiring it (a known weakness) from one end to t'other and with the Nagaoka and similar less physically demanding cartridges, the performance of this item should take a huge leap forward I think.