Arm technics sl-1210mk2

[Soulman]

I recently heard a technics with rega rb301 and ortofon 2m blue, to say if was a revelation is an understatement.

I'm in the process if buying a deck and wondered which arm would give me most scope for improvement the jello sa-250 s shape or rega rb300 with titanium counterweight, price is similar.

Another option for a little more is an audio note arm 1 (required rb250).

All are just within budget and a price spread of £25 or so.

[Stratmangler]

If you opt for a Jelco you will need an additional cable to connect between the arm base and phono stage.

I have used a modified RB250 on a Technics and it worked really well.
I changed it for a Jelco 750D and the Jelco was a revelation.
The 750D can be bought new for a really good price here http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/tone-arms-headshells/98-jelco-sa-750d-tone-arm.html

[Johnnie7]

cheaper option would be to have the techy arm bearings fettled and rewired with some decent ofc cable

the techy arm is really nice once its been rebuilt

and its got that great VTF adjuster

[Nihil Sleighride]

cheaper option would be to have the techy arm bearings fettled and rewired with some decent ofc cable

the techy arm is really nice once its been rebuilt

and its got that great VTF adjuster


I'll second that. J's just done mine and it really is great once the work is done and such good vfm.

[Soulman]

Trip to the local shop for a demo of a rega rp3 with rb303 and regaelys2, all I can say is wow, totally destroyed the systemdek in every way you care to mention.

Offered me a slight second for £280 plus my systemdek, the rp3 is now at home on a weeks demo, it may well stay as it sounds great in my system. Maybe wait for more funds and do a technics slowly until it easily exceeds the rega, then make the switch and maybe let my 14 year old have the rega...

[Graeme]

So do you have the technics too, or did you buy the rega instead?

Have you got a TTPSU for the rp3?, i have one if you wanted to try one.

[navigator]

The Rega lineup has that magical synergy so sought after and not easily found at any price It is a particular type of presentation I love but that may not appeal to all and is loudspeaker/room dependant.
the 3 point base fitting arm works well on even standard techy1200 with variety of carts incl MC s and finds good punch and expression from carts that are unhappy elsewhere.Enjoy the journey!

[chelsea]

Surprised the systemdek was destroyed by the rega.
What arm cart was on the systemdek?

[Soulman]

Chelsea, the arm is a linn basik plus with an AT95E, it was not even close and with having to buy a new arm for the systemdek I think I'm best off starting afresh.

I want ths to be a fairly faff free experience whch s why the technics appeals so much, bombproof, eaey to setup and use. The rega, which I didn't hold out much hope for, really surprised, almost shocked me with its quality. It also desn't skip every time I move a tiny bit.

I think it will be the rega with a technics to follow as a long term project.

[Soulman]

Graeme, I'm demoing the Rega, probably will buy one and no TT psu, would love to try it. As I said the techncs still apeals but I want to get listening and then maybe get one as a project...

[walpurgis]

You're having an interesting time on AOS Des.

Anyway, I've been down the Technics route, with upgraded Rega arms and now gone in another direction.

I prefer my (much heavier) Toshiba SR-370 DD TT, which sports a slightly modified Mission 774 arm with ZYX R100 H2 MC. It sounds amazing!

[The Grand Wazoo]

Don't disregard the Systemdek just because it has a clapped out arm that wasn't really all that good in the first place! The baby is in danger of following the bathwater if you're not careful - that Systemdek can be made to be a serious turntable for minimal cost.

[chelsea]

Yes the systemdek is a very good tt.
I would try a working arm on it before choosing the rega.

[walpurgis]

Absolutely, as it happens, I don't like Rega arms either. I've had a few and they just don't 'do it' for me.

[Soulman]

It'll have to be a linn fit, can't seem to track new armboards for the systemdek down. I bought it originally, on recommendation from a few people on the wam, because its reckoned to be excellent for the price.

Would a fraction of milimetre of vertical slop in the arm make a huge difference to performance in a arm? I spent last night trying both in my system and the difference is just the same, like night and day really.

In my financial position I don't want to spend £280 if I can avoid it but will for this level of change. I feel like I may spend a similar amount on the systemdek (£150 on a suitable arm, armboard £? And £100+ cartridge) and still have to find a way of isolating the deck. If it still lags behind the rega I'd be a disappointed bunny to say the least. It seems like a big amble to me...

[twotone]

I had a Rega P3 and RB300 arm with a Denon DL-110 and it was a good TT but just good, changed to an AR suspended deck with an AT 1120 arm and the Denon cart and this was a step up from the Rega I now have a Technics SL-1200MK2, Timestep PSU, Achromat and SAE 1000LT cart and the difference is night and day from the other two decks.

I honestly didn't think vinyl could sound as good as my current set up sounds, it at least equals an Arcam JMJ CD23T for resolution and clarity but I prefer the vinyl sound over CD, I rarely play CDs now and have sold the Arcam.

I also have a Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE phono stage which has made a difference to vinyl replay but the three decks were all played through my A&R integrated amp's phono stage.

[twotone]

cheaper option would be to have the techy arm bearings fettled and rewired with some decent ofc cable

the techy arm is really nice once its been rebuilt

and its got that great VTF adjuster

Hi John, how much are we talking to improve the techy arm, ballpark?

[RochaCullen]

Yes, I'd also be very interested in hearing what it costs to fettle the stock arm.

[Soulman]

Me too, I've got a technics with stock arm and AT95E arriving tomorrow on loan to see how we go against the rega. If the fettle is reasonable I may go this route with a psu instead of the rega...

[navigator]

IMHO the techy is massively underrated by many. Public demos to openminded listeners [eg at Scalford and mini bakeoffs] show obvious advantages over spinners that are several times its price point. The treble is subject to criticism with some carts in some arms on this deck when not EXACTLY set up. I believe it will keep on giving more [even with standard bearing] as the arms increase in quality. The Linn Basik plus will give all is got but its shortcomings will be revealed by the lack of muck put into the arm from the deck/record surface. Be lucky and snap up a Rega 300 arm [or higher number]. A T 95 gives a good account until MC can arrive..

[Nihil Sleighride]

It was about £164ish after postage to J and back for the options I went for, cardas 33ga ofc internal litz wire and
super ofc external wire and modified gold neutrix phonos with the bearings fettled. Fantastic vfm.

[twotone]

It was about £164ish after postage to J and back for the options I went for, cardas 33ga ofc internal litz wire and
super ofc external wire and modified gold neutrix phonos with the bearings fettled. Fantastic vfm.

Thanks Liam, that sounds pretty affordable.

Big difference soundwise from the stock arm do you think?

Tony

[Nihil Sleighride]

For me it puts it in a different league, everything just seems more focused and together.

[Jason P]

My arm has had the full AO treatment and a KAB damper fitted. It is very very good - a nice match to the AT33PTG on the front. Can't say I have any desire to change it as the returns would be minimal for the outlay, and the PSU needs attention first. I think that a reworked stock arm is the way to go if funds are tight. Never liked the Rega (had an Origin Live OL1 that I tried) on the Technics as it sounded a little 'brittle' and harsh - the stocker is far more organic IMHO.

[twotone]

I've got an Arkless phono stage on order so once that arrives, whenever that will be, then I'll likely get the stock arm fettled but I have to say that I've noticed a bit of an improvement soundwise in recent weeks, don't know whether that's down to the cart, which was new when I fitted a couple of months ago or the Graham Slee phono that I'm currently using which is also new but the sound is really excellent and it's not just a subtle change either:cool: