Good value tonearms [Archive] - The Art of Sound Forum

hoopsontoast

29-01-2013, 20:12

Righteo chaps, I am looking for a good value tonearm, under £100.

Will be going on my vintage Sony TTS-3000 project. Possibly to be used with a Denon DL-103, which I quite liked on my old Luxman deck.

A Sony one would be nice, just to keep the theme going but not essential.

I was planning on using an RB300 but I sold the one I had a month or so back, but I am not picky.

Anything of not for sale at the moment or to look out for?

Marco

29-01-2013, 20:53

Roy S

29-01-2013, 21:17

a nice S-shaped jobby!

I get one of those after a curry

Marco

29-01-2013, 21:28

Yup, with corn niblets stuck to it, even though you haven't eaten any! :eyebrows:

Marco.

Rare Bird

29-01-2013, 21:35

Hi Rob,

This would probably be as good as anything up to £350 new, and with a DL-103, MILES better than an RB300:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ariston-Audio-Vintage-Tonearm-RD11-with-detachable-headshell-/221181097936?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337f6bb7d0

The retro looks would also compliment your Sony perfectly... You defo want a nice S-shaped jobby!

It's a Jelco found on the 'RD11 Electronic'

I too think a modern arm would not look right with that Motor unit..Why not try source the original Sony '286' twas a good arm

Marco

29-01-2013, 22:23

It's a Jelco found on the 'RD11 Electronic'

Yup, but much cheaper (and just as good) as a modern Jelco! ;)

Marco.

Tarzan

30-01-2013, 00:32

I get one of those after a curry

:cool::lol:

Dingdong

30-01-2013, 07:38

Build yerself a unipivot.

hoopsontoast

30-01-2013, 08:50

Cheers chaps, Mark I had previously looked into DIY for the tonearm, bit too much work atm.

I have found one of the Sony ones over on german ebay, as well as that Ariston, I will keep an eye on them.

Rare Bird

30-01-2013, 10:44

Id go for the Sony 'PUA286' it's near enough a 12'' arm, you might have mounting problems with the other!

hoopsontoast

30-01-2013, 17:39

I do like the idea of a Sony one, if I can get one in budget that is.

337alant

31-01-2013, 16:50

Hi Rob,

This would probably be as good as anything up to £350 new, and with a DL-103, MILES better than an RB300:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ariston-Audio-Vintage-Tonearm-RD11-with-detachable-headshell-/221181097936?pt=Turntable_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337f6bb7d0

The retro looks would also compliment your Sony perfectly... You defo want a nice S-shaped jobby!

Marco.
Thanks Marco I bought it and very nice it is too;), it turns out to be a Jelco SA50

Alan

hoopsontoast

31-01-2013, 17:26

Yes, I was watching that :P

stupinder

31-01-2013, 17:29

Rega R200 (the old s shaped arm) but make sure the anti-skate is working. R250 also - you can have it breathed on later by a number of firms too.

hoopsontoast

31-01-2013, 17:38

Is an Audio Technica AT1005 Mk2 worth a shot? Been offered one under budget. (no arm lift though)

Marco

31-01-2013, 18:04

Thanks Marco I bought it and very nice it is too;), it turns out to be a Jelco SA50

Lol... Nice one, Alan. Was that you posting about it in the Classic section on pfm? :)

Marco.

joniakaidiot

31-01-2013, 21:43

Is an Audio Technica AT1005 Mk2 worth a shot? Been offered one under budget. (no arm lift though)

I'll be getting AT1005 mk2 for my SL-1210 soon.
Should be nice arm, that's what I've understood.

Rare Bird

01-02-2013, 00:23

Im trying my very best to make my pick-up arm the greatest ever uni-pivot!, sounds good as it is. Plans underway for a carbon fibre tube at the 9'' which would be lighter than the aluminium tube, moving to 12'' (Need new offset angle) it sould be slightly lighter than original, dare i move to a longer tube but one er the things in mind is to scrap anti-skate :eyebrows: but by increasing a longer tube i face the chance of increasing the weight! decisions decisions!

If i do increase the mass at the end if the day i can lower the cartridge compliance a bit to compensate maybe an ADC '27' styli intead of the '26' but rather not...

hoopsontoast

01-02-2013, 08:22

I'll be getting AT1005 mk2 for my SL-1210 soon.
Should be nice arm, that's what I've understood.

Cheers :)

337alant

01-02-2013, 08:46

Lol... Nice one, Alan. Was that you posting about it in the Classic section on pfm? :)

Marco.

Marco
yep that was me

Alan

hoopsontoast

01-02-2013, 17:35

All sorted, went for the AT-1005 :)

joniakaidiot

02-02-2013, 00:48

All sorted, went for the AT-1005 :)

:)

By the way,
AT1005 has quite high effective mass,
so Denon-103 might not be the best possible match, according to Cartridge Resonance Evaluator at vinylengine:

http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_resonance_evaluator.php?eff_mass=20&submit=Submit

But I ain't professional with these things. ;)

hoopsontoast

03-02-2013, 16:49

I thought the DL-103 liked migh mass tonearms?

Rare Bird

03-02-2013, 16:59

They do 'DL103' are very lo Compliance.

hoopsontoast

03-02-2013, 19:24

OK cool, are there any other carts (under £100 S/H) that will work well with the AT arm? Just as an option against the DL-103.
Cheers, Rob

Rare Bird

03-02-2013, 19:41

Well much any modern cart should work well with it.. If you can get one in the headshell (Wide cart) the Ortofon 2M Red cartridges should be goowd choice.

ps: I can't remember but don't these arms have a mass ring?