IsoKinetic Silver Melody tonearm?

[ChrisKemp]

12969
12970

I'm starting the prosess in upgrading my KAB Cardas/ Fluid Damper arm. I'm in no hury.

First I was very interested in Audiomods Series V. Then I saw that IsoKinect have upgraded the Jelco 750D. Hifi Choice reviewd the arm and the IsoKinect silver cable and it got 5 of 5 stars!

The IsoKinect Silver Melody tonearm looks very much like the Ortofon 212, but the Ortofon is twice the price and too high for me.

Any views or experience with this tonearm would be great:)

Also: the external tonearm wires come with either straight DIN or right angeled. Will any fit under the Technics SL1210xx AND is the right angeled to the right seen from the front of the TT?? I ask because my Riaa is to the left of my TT seen from the front.

I'm thinking of this arm together with the ebony armboard...

Links:

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/siteuploads/silvermelody.pdf

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/analogue-lp-s/908-isokinetik-silver-melody-tonearm.html

[KevinF]

I have the 12 inch version of this arm, bought as an ex-dem.

The SA 750 Si (Jelco's designation for the Isokinetik variant) differs from the standard 750 in having silver internal wiring and the underslung counterweight. I don't know if the Ortofon Jelco has silver internally.

I have the straight Cardas 5 pin connector on mine, but the slot/pin is to the rear of the plinth. I imagine the right angled connector exists rearwards.

I am using a AT150MLX MM cart, with which the Si performs very nicely. Having heard standard Jelcos at 12 and 10 inches and thought them very good value, I think the Si gives a significant step up in performance.

[MCRU]

12969
12970

I'm starting the prosess in upgrading my KAB Cardas/ Fluid Damper arm. I'm in no hury.

First I was very interested in Audiomods Series V. Then I saw that IsoKinect have upgraded the Jelco 750D. Hifi Choice reviewd the arm and the IsoKinect silver cable and it got 5 of 5 stars!

The IsoKinect Silver Melody tonearm looks very much like the Ortofon 212, but the Ortofon is twice the price and too high for me.

Any views or experience with this tonearm would be great:)

Also: the external tonearm wires come with either straight DIN or right angeled. Will any fit under the Technics SL1210xx AND is the right angeled to the right seen from the front of the TT?? I ask because my Riaa is to the left of my TT seen from the front.

I'm thinking of this arm together with the ebony armboard...

Links:

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/siteuploads/silvermelody.pdf

http://www.mains-cables-r-us.co.uk/analogue-lp-s/908-isokinetik-silver-melody-tonearm.html

hi
i personally think this is one of the best arms for the techy (even before it was silver wired), I put the rosewood headshell on mine but the supplied headshell is very good as that is silver wired as well as far as I know, I am speaking as an audiophile with the system I have which of course is different to yours but in general terms the jelco arms have always been popular and do sound good, you may wish to consider hugos collar if you have not already thought of it as it does add to the performance slightly and it looks nice too

i trimmed the underside of my techy to get rid of as much of the rubber near the hole where the arm lead is located and find a straight tonearm connector is ok, i lifted my techy up a bit with extra rubber feet so the cable does not bend too much when it comes out of the underside and goes down the back of my rack

hope that helps

[ChrisKemp]

Thank you both! What is and what does those collars do?

Pm sent to Mains.

[Andrei]

Thank you both! What is and what does those collars do?

You must check out http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?7359-Custom-Arm-Mounting-Collar-for-Jelco-SA-750-essential-for-setting-correct-azimuth This will explain in detail.

I have one of these. This is about the only weakness of the Jelco. Incidentally I posted elsewhere that Electrocompaniet has made its first turntable:

http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y530/Andrei_nz/ElectroTurntable_zps0a6c3217.jpg (http://s1279.photobucket.com/user/Andrei_nz/media/ElectroTurntable_zps0a6c3217.jpg.html)

Do you recognise that tonearm?

[ChrisKemp]

Yes, thank you Andrei! I found it on MCRU website and I just read the link you posted. A must have if I´ll go for the IsoKinetik Silver Melody SM750. I guess the collar would not be a problem for a ebony armboard. Because if I buy the arm and the collar I´ll want the best armboard right away:)

Beautiful norwegian turntable, the Electrocompaniet!!! To bad it´s not made in Norway any more. We were very proud of that company:)

[DSJR]

Nah!

Just buy the standard Jelco (you only need silver wiring if the cartridge coils are silver and the phono stage onwards is similarly dressed up - IMO), get the Shuggie collar and see if Speedy-Steve can rustle you up an underslung counterweight :) There ya go, sorted :lol:

[ChrisKemp]

Mains Cables R Us:

Thank you David for fantastic service, quick replies and your patience with all my questions :)
I´m really looking forward to my new arm: IsoKinetik Silver Melody SM750 with the custom collar! I will write a review and take some pictures when all is installed:)

[ChrisKemp]

Just installed the IsoKinetik Silver Melody SM750 tonearm. Bought everything from Mains Cables R Us.

Even before all has settled in and there's still some tweaking to do: absolutely amazing:eyebrows: The KAB Cardas with Fluid Damper was very very god. The Silver Melody is just so much more of everything. :eek:

[Andrei]

Chris, that seems to round out the system very nicely: Table → Amp → Speakers. Just don't go and stuff it all up by playing Diana Krall, such a system deserves better. Let us know after some serious listening.

[ChrisKemp]

Hehe, thanks Andrei:) No Diana Krall, ok:)

I'll check in later after some more listening...

[ChrisKemp]

Now the arm cables and phono cable is really opening up. I also changed the loading from 250ohm to 1000ohm on my DL-103R. Wow, it is so airy, tight with a fantastic midrange. I now know what PRaT is! This is in a whole different leage from the KAB arm. That says alot because the KAB arm with Fluid Damper is really good. I also think the TechnyBoots together with Isonoe feet made a difference.

The synergy with all my gear is just as I like it and what I dreamt of when getting back to vinyl last year:) Tracy Chapman -Crossroads- never sounded so good here:)

[MCRU]

Now the arm cables and phono cable is really opening up. I also changed the loading from 250ohm to 1000ohm on my DL-103R. Wow, it is so airy, tight with a fantastic midrange. I now know what PRaT is! This is in a whole different leage from the KAB arm. That says alot because the KAB arm with Fluid Damper is really good. I also think the TechnyBoots together with Isonoe feet made a difference.

The synergy with all my gear is just as I like it and what I dreamt of when getting back to vinyl last year:) Tracy Chapman -Crossroads- never sounded so good here:)

Excellent result Chris, vinyl rules!:)

[ChrisKemp]

Excellent result Chris, vinyl rules!:)
Thank you David and thank you for also sending those plastic spacers in different sizes for the adjustable armboard! Small things, but without those I couldn´t have adjusted the right position for the custom arm collar. That shows me that you prepare everything before you ship! As with the PSU I bought from you last year, all perfect:)

Next upgrade will be the Isokinetik Silver Melody phono arm cable and Silver Melody RCA from Riaa to tube amp. I really like the sound of the Oyaide arm cable, but the Silver Melody cable might be better? Pm or email me if you like:)

[ChrisKemp]

All in place:)

[ChrisKemp]

hi
i personally think this is one of the best arms for the techy (even before it was silver wired), I put the rosewood headshell on mine but the supplied headshell is very good as that is silver wired as well as far as I know, I am speaking as an audiophile with the system I have which of course is different to yours but in general terms the jelco arms have always been popular and do sound good, you may wish to consider hugos collar if you have not already thought of it as it does add to the performance slightly and it looks nice too

i trimmed the underside of my techy to get rid of as much of the rubber near the hole where the arm lead is located and find a straight tonearm connector is ok, i lifted my techy up a bit with extra rubber feet so the cable does not bend too much when it comes out of the underside and goes down the back of my rack

hope that helps
The IsoKinetik SM750 headshell (Magnesium/ Rosewood): how much does the headshell weigh?? I can't find any data of that headshell??

[Tarzan]

Very nice looking Techie- and no doubt sweet sounding record player Chris.:eek:

[Spectral Morn]

Just installed the IsoKinetik Silver Melody SM750 tonearm. Bought everything from Mains Cables R Us.

Even before all has settled in and there's still some tweaking to do: absolutely amazing:eyebrows: The KAB Cardas with Fluid Damper was very very god. The Silver Melody is just so much more of everything. :eek:

Very nice looking.

I don't recognise the armboard.... who supplied that and makes it?


Regards Neil

[ChrisKemp]

Thank you. Armboard is from Mains, that is all I know.

Also this weekend I heard a Rega RP10/ Apheta. Not impressed at all compared to ny modified 1210M5G.

[Spectral Morn]

Thank you. Armboard is from Mains, that is all I know.

Also this weekend I heard a Rega RP10/ Apheta. Not impressed at all compared to ny modified 1210M5G.

Yes so I see - just having a look on David's site.

The underslung counter weight looks interesting as an add on for a standard 750D


Regards Neil

[worrasf]

It is Neil
See my post http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?34644-Isokinetik-SM-counterweight-for-Jelco-750

Steve

[Spectral Morn]

It is Neil
See my post http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?34644-Isokinetik-SM-counterweight-for-Jelco-750

Steve

Hi Steve

It was that post that alerted me to its existence.


Regards Neil

[worrasf]

Hi Steve

It was that post that alerted me to its existence.


Regards Neil

Ah ha! - at least one of my posts has been useful to someone :eyebrows:

Steve

[Spectral Morn]

Ah ha! - at least one of my posts has been useful to someone :eyebrows:

Steve

Indeed but planting seeds that may or may not grow is the best way of looking at this game, ones words may help, inform or encourage but often we don't ever know.

Regards Neil

[Stratmangler]

Indeed but planting seeds that may or may not grow is the best way of looking at this game, ones words may help, inform or encourage but often we don't ever know

That's very very true!
I too saw the post on the low slung counterweight (worrasf's first post), and bookmarked the page for later use.
I intend to investigate the counterweight in question.

I have already added mass to the standard (Jelco) counterweight on the 750D on my deck, and this proved to be beneficial, as the counterweight now sits closer to the pivot point than it did originally.
I used BluTack and washers.
It doesn't look pretty when viewed from the rear, but it's not noticable when I'm using the deck.

The low slung aspect may or may not improve things further - without trying it I won't know, but I will try it at some point.
So thanks for the heads up Stephen :cool:

[worrasf]

Thanks Chris

Another Jelco "Tweak" I have tried in the past with some benefit is to add mass to the top of the bearing housing (directly above the damper pot). I came to this having come across a US website (forget what) of a firm that specialises in Techy weeks (not KAB and not cheap) and they produce a weight that sits on top of the dash pot. I tried it with a counterweight from my SME 3009 II and I did think it firmed things up somewhat but I've not really delved deeply - may revisit it

EDIT - just found the website http://app.audiogon.com/listings/tweaks-jelco-tone-arm-upgrade-for-sa-750d-sa-750e-sa-750l-solid-brass-arm-pivot-damper-cleara-2013-03-19-accessories-l3y-8x8

They appear not to do this anymore
Steve

[Stratmangler]

Web page duly bookmarked.
I might try knocking summat up with ... - yep!; you guessed it - BluTack and washers :D
I've even got a proper Origin Live counterweight kicking around, so I might try that.

I'll try it when I can and post back - don't hold your breath it might be a while, what with work, Owston, goalkeeper training (the boy, not me) and a Manchester Derby coming up in the next few days my time is pretty well accounted for :eek:

[Stratmangler]

As fate would have it, the OL counterweight was closer to hand than first thought.
So it has been separated from its rear end stub, has some BluTack moulded onto it, and it has been attached to the top of the tonearm above the damper pot, and bugger me, it's made a beneficial difference in my opinion.

There's greater solidity, depth and drive in the bass department.

I might be on the market for one of them there damper pot fitting weights :eyebrows:

I found this on the web http://www.ttweights.com/estore.html#!/Jelco-Brass-Damping-Cap-Demo/p/43052063/category=10966054

[synsei]

As fate would have it, the OL counterweight was closer to hand than first thought.
So it has been separated from its rear end stub, has some BluTack moulded onto it, and it has been attached to the top of the tonearm above the damper pot, and bugger me, it's made a beneficial difference in my opinion.

There's greater solidity, depth and drive in the bass department.

I might be on the market for one of them there damper pot fitting weights :eyebrows:

I found this on the web http://www.ttweights.com/estore.html#!/Jelco-Brass-Damping-Cap-Demo/p/43052063/category=10966054

I bet Speedy Steve could knock one up for you Chris ;)

[Stratmangler]

I bet Speedy Steve could knock one up for you Chris ;)

That's a good suggestion, and food for thought :hmm:

[worrasf]

bugger me, it's made a beneficial difference in my opinion.

There's greater solidity, depth and drive in the bass department.


I'm really pleased you also heard good things from this little tweak - maybe should move it to "strokes of genius"?

Steve