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View Full Version : Helius Aurum Tonearm!


walpurgis
22-05-2013, 20:56
I just bought a Helius tonearm (pickup arm) off ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171045130663?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

The seller did not know which model it was, but I believe it's the Aurum.

Has anybody got experience of this arm or maybe uses one?
southall-1998
22-05-2013, 20:58
Not sure Geoff. Looks like a nice arm though!!

Enjoy!
synsei
22-05-2013, 21:17
Looks like an Aurum to me Geoff, nice tonearm that... ;)
MartinT
22-05-2013, 21:19
I sincerely hope it's not an Aureus, Geoff. It looks similar and was singularly the worst piece of hi-fi equipment I ever bought new. Bearing stiction and general refusal to align and track properly barely describe how bad it was.
synsei
22-05-2013, 21:24
This is an Aureus mkI Martin: ;)

http://img.canuckaudiomart.com/uploads/large/331933-helius__aureus_1__tonearm.jpg
MartinT
22-05-2013, 21:33
Ah yes, that's it. Close, but no cigar.

Thank goodness, Geoff, I thought you'd bought a duffer.
daytona600
22-05-2013, 22:08
Helius can service your old arms , I Use a helius 10inch Silver Ruby Myself
walpurgis
22-05-2013, 22:16
From what I've seen on the net, reviews are rather varied. Most are complimentary and one or two less so. That's about the same ratio for reviews of just about every tonearm, so I'm optimistic.

Having checked on the Helius website it is almost certainly an Aurum, their photo shows no difference that I can see.

I've now got to wait for it to arrive, give it a quick fettle and then decide which TT it goes on! The base looks like it should go straight on my TD160B Mk.II, but will that mounted position allow for correct cartridge alignment? I'll have to wait and see.

It'll make a change from my usual choice of Mission 774 arm anyway (it'll have to go some to match that though).
walpurgis
22-05-2013, 22:38
What a nice chap! The seller sent me some friendly messages whilst discussing packaging and I've just had another from him saying he's also bunging in a serviceable, but of unknown age Denon DL-103 for nothing.
synsei
22-05-2013, 22:40
Wow, result... :D :respect:
southall-1998
22-05-2013, 23:13
What a nice chap! The seller sent me some friendly messages whilst discussing packaging and I've just had another from him saying he's also bunging in a serviceable, but of unknown age Denon DL-103 for nothing.

Nice one, Geoff. Your a lucky man tonight!!
Yomanze
23-05-2013, 02:14
I sincerely hope it's not an Aureus, Geoff. It looks similar and was singularly the worst piece of hi-fi equipment I ever bought new. Bearing stiction and general refusal to align and track properly barely describe how bad it was.

I know there were some issues with build, but my 80s Helius Standard tonearm was solid as is the replacement Scorpio 4 that I now own. I would try a newer arm. :)

As for the Aurum it is a medium mass arm, improved version of my old one, very well suited to the DL103.
Yomanze
23-05-2013, 02:15
Double post
walpurgis
23-05-2013, 09:58
I know there were some issues with build, but my 80s Helius Standard tonearm was solid as is the replacement Scorpio 4 that I now own. I would try a newer arm. :)

As for the Aurum it is a medium mass arm, improved version of my old one, very well suited to the DL103.

It won't be used with the Denon DL103. I'll be trying it with either an Ortofon MC25FL or ZYX R50 Bloom or maybe even an ADC if the mass is not too great.

The Denon will be tried on another TT in my Mission 774 arm. Long time since I used a standard DL103, should be fun.
Johnnie7
23-05-2013, 22:34
its a nice wee arm for that price !
walpurgis
23-05-2013, 22:44
its a nice wee arm for that price !

I've seen some of your work on the net John, it looks very nice. As good as mine in fact! :)
Yomanze
24-05-2013, 19:50
It won't be used with the Denon DL103. [...]

The Denon will be tried on another TT in my Mission 774 arm. Long time since I used a standard DL103, should be fun.

Please listen to both the 774 and the Aurum with the DL103. Would like to use a 774 with my Reson Reca have a feeling it would be a good match.


Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
walpurgis
24-05-2013, 21:30
Please listen to both the 774 and the Aurum with the DL103.

Why?

I may do, but I know exactly what the 103 is going to sound like.
Yomanze
24-05-2013, 21:43
Why?

I may do, but I know exactly what the 103 is going to sound like.

The DL103 sings with higher mass arms and does sound different with low mass arms IMO.
walpurgis
24-05-2013, 21:58
The DL103 sings with higher mass arms and does sound different with low mass arms IMO.

I'm afraid I'm going to have the DL-103 brigade up in arms, but whilst I liked the first one I owned about thirty five years ago and it's a pleasant enough cartridge, it isn't great. My last one was a 103R and even that was totally outclassed by all of my other main MCs and easily matched for sound quality by my ADC 10E Mk.II non MC. At least the 103R was better than the refined but weedy sounding DL-304 I had at the time.

I know it's nice to get a 103 for nothing, but I'm not expecting miracles from it.
Oldpinkman
11-06-2013, 19:37
Helius aurum was the mid arm from helius when i were a nipper (mid 80s). Better than their basic arm it was bettered by the gorgeous, if somewhat temperamental helius orion. I would be surprised if you like it better than your 774, which is extremely competent. It suits mc cartridges well having reasonable effective mass. Makes me a bit nostalgic for the orion though. Pt, orion, u205 was my reference system for dems.
walpurgis
12-06-2013, 17:39
We'll see. I expect I'll get round to trying it out shortly. It looks as though it should fit straight onto a TD160B Mk.II I recently bought as second TT. Never had either item before. I had a few TD150s years ago though.
daytona600
13-06-2013, 20:04
remove the crappy plastic body on the 103 & replace with a metal or wood body then a good re-tip and your off
DSJR
13-06-2013, 20:54
Helius arms generally seem to be on the lively side and if you like this, the 774 may appear a little dry or over-damped in nature. Horses for courses, but the 774 may well be the actual 'better' one, even if you may prefer the other...
Rare Bird
13-06-2013, 22:41
Ive only ever had one Helius arm that was an 'Orion'. very heavy arm that.
Oldpinkman
14-06-2013, 05:29
Ive only ever had one Helius arm that was an 'Orion'. very heavy arm that.

The orion was heavy, at the bearing block (so needed no add weight on a pt armboard) but medium effective mass. Interesting bearings, beautiful finish, my favourite once (vacilated between this and sme5 but my all-time best system had the orion) - with the much-mourned u205 of course...
I thought they were lost forever until a man in newhaven revealed he had one on a shelf. Before I could work out how to blackmail it out of him, he fitted an even better arm for me and, whilst I'd have a nostalgic curiosity if I could find a u205, I lost interest.
walpurgis
14-06-2013, 11:01
remove the crappy plastic body on the 103 & replace with a metal or wood body then a good re-tip and your off

No way would I spend money trying to 'improve' a basic DL-103. The design is limited and I have better cartridges that don't need upgrading anyway.
daytona600
14-06-2013, 13:13
I thought the 103 supplied with the Arm last old & on its way out , just giving some advice to get it back on its feet
walpurgis
15-06-2013, 19:39
I thought the 103 supplied with the Arm last old & on its way out , just giving some advice to get it back on its feet

I haven't tried the 103 yet, away on holiday at the moment. It's supposed to be in usable order. I'll check it out properly and give it a whirl when I get back, but I've owned these before, so I'm not expecting miracles. They are pleasant enough though.