Recommendations please guys

[LittleTone]

Hi Chaps



I inherited a Technics SL150 DD turntable fitted with a SME 3009 improved/fixed headshell some 7 years ago when sadly my dad passed away.
Well' it's been in storage since then; but, I've decided to give it a go. I have a Rega Brio R with a reasonable phono input apparently.
Just waiting for the delivery of some new bedplate grommets.
It's not a combo I would have chosen and expectations aren't high. I haven't had anything to do with vinyl for a very long time; if I remember correctly my last turntable was the original Systemdeck/Mission 774/MC cart

There is a Audio technica something or other ( can't tell) fitted at the moment. I've checked the continuity of the leads and all seems fine.

IS THIS TT/ARM WORTH INVESTING IN ?

If so' I need a very high compliance cartridge I believe with maximum tracking weight if 1.5 grammes. Effective Mass of the arm I think is 6.5 grammes.

Recommendations please - possibly off Ebay to keep the cost down.

Regards
Tony

[OneyedK]

IS THIS TT/ARM WORTH INVESTING IN ?

If so' I need a very high compliance cartridge I believe with maximum tracking weight if 1.5 grammes. Effective Mass of the arm I think is 6.5 grammes.
I think so...

An Ortofon 2M bronze or black would be nice.
Or an Ortofon Super OM30/40.

Maybe you should look into the cartridge that is mounted at present and get a new stylus for it...

[walpurgis]

You can use lower compliance cartridges if the SME has the fluid damper installed, however, they may excite headshell resonances more readily.

[6L6]

IS THIS TT/ARM WORTH INVESTING IN ?

Yes, it's a fantastic bit of kit. get it operative, put a fresh cartridge on it and go buy lots and lots of records. !!!

[walpurgis]

Just a thought,

if you liked the Mission 774 arm you had previously, why not use one on the Technics. It will fit on the SME arm cut-out perfectly and work well with just about any cartridge.

I still use a 774 on a hefty DD turntable and find it superb with my MCs!

774s crop up on eBay in good condition regularly.

[LittleTone]

Thanks for the response guys
Really appreciated

Tony

[julesd68]

Green Home Electronics have a very nice 774 at the moment.
Great to deal with too.

http://www.usedhifishop.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=1223

[nat8808]

Just a thought,

if you liked the Mission 774 arm you had previously, why not use one on the Technics. It will fit on the SME arm cut-out perfectly and work well with just about any cartridge.

I still use a 774 on a hefty DD turntable and find it superb with my MCs!

774s crop up on eBay in good condition regularly.

I'd second that and by selling the SME 3009 you'd get more for it that the cost of the 774.

IMO the 3009 is a bit boring and the 774 is still a great arm. The deck is pretty good too.

[nat8808]

Green Home Electronics have a very nice 774 at the moment.
Great to deal with too.

http://www.usedhifishop.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=1223

And a good price too - you be hard to find one on ebay for less than £160 with all the associated waiting, looking and risk..

Get that 3009 listed on ebay (clean it up, take good photos, don't use flash photography as it will show up minute scratches - go for bright lighting or long exposure) and buy the Green Home arm!

[walpurgis]

And a good price too - you be hard to find one on ebay for less than £160 with all the associated waiting, looking and risk..

Get that 3009 listed on ebay (clean it up, take good photos, don't use flash photography as it will show up minute scratches - go for bright lighting or long exposure) and buy the Green Home arm!

I agree with the above.

Just a couple of points, the Mission 774 seller has not got their facts right, the arm was not made by Jelco, there was a later, totally different and inferior 774 supplied by Jelco, it's a relative of the Linn LVX I believe.

You want the British made first model (see thumbnail) with the arm tube offset to the right of the pivot and with the damping trough.

The seller says it has the required two anti skating weights, it should also come with three different sized damping paddles. If they are not there you can make them quite easily or vary the damping fluid viscosity to suit the one present.

The 774 is a great arm that is easily upgradable. The sonic difference in comparison to the SME will be huge!

[twotone]

Is that mission 774 arm an SME mount?

I have an AT 1120 arm which is an SME mount I believe, just wondering if the mission arms are a worthwhile upgrade on my own arm.

TT is an AR Legend/Turntable.

Thanks

Tony

[walpurgis]

Is that mission 774 arm an SME mount?

Yes, the 774 normally comes with an SME mount compatible baseplate, although I have seen other versions.

The Mission arm is a bargain at its current second hand prices.

I sold my Linn Ittok off in a hurry after trying a 774, the Mission was a huge improvement.

The AT arm you use probably sounds better than an Ittok, but I reckon the 774 would be a noticeable improvement. The Mission is very upgradable too.

[twotone]

Yes, the 774 normally comes with an SME mount compatible baseplate, although I have seen other versions.

The Mission arm is a bargain at its current second hand prices.

I sold my Linn Ittok off in a hurry after trying a 774, the Mission was a huge improvement.

The AT arm you use probably sounds better than an Ittok, but I reckon the 774 would be a noticeable improvement. The Mission is very upgradable too.

Thanks Geoff, is the one in the advert the same as the one in your photo?

Found this sold one on e-bay, looks very nice is that what we should be looking out for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mission-774-Original-Tonearm-and-Cable-SME-Fit-Boxed-Complete-/111010208667?pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiF i_Turntables&hash=item19d8b95b9b&nma=true&si=V%252BFNGFn1A5SO5KuUdUMX%252BVA4iBo%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

[walpurgis]

Sorry Tony, didn't see it in time, but that is the right one. Don't worry, they crop up regularly.

Geoff.