Rega R200 Arm any good?

[Lee Henley]

Ive been contemplating a tone arm with a detachable head for use on my Spacedeck and came across this arm after a conversation with Phil (Oceanobsession) the other day. I currently use an Origin Live 250 arm but would like to have an arm that has the facility for a detachable head. Has anyone on here used this arm and are they any good?

The Rega arms tend to go for less than £200 which makes it an attractive option to say the least.

Other contenders would be a SME or a Jelco as I don't mind spending the extra money if these are worth it.

Very best

Lee

[JohnMcC]

The 200 was originally the Acos Lustre arm with a slightly different pivot mechanism and a different bias compensator (anti-skate). The original magnetic bias device on the Lustre has proved longer lasting than the mechanical one on the Rega. So - in my opinion - the Lustre is the better bet as it almost certainly won't need repairing. Bearings seem to be very durable too. I'm about to resurrect my Lustre arm if I can find it in the garage!

Oh, and you can find the Lustre for £10 and up on the net, probably because it's not called Rega!

[walpurgis]

Avoid the R200 arm. The anti skate mechanism is operated by an internal synthetic rubber belt. The belts are very prone to perishing and replacements are no longer available. ALL R200 arms will eventually become useless because of this. I rebuilt one about two years ago and I believe I bought the last belt left in the UK.

[anubisgrau]

wasn't there a story that a video recorder rubber belt can be used for R200?

otherwise a fine sounding arm unless you have set your goals very high. actually, i owned acos lustre and passed it on to a friend but was pleasantly surprised. it has a calmness and smoothness typical of pivoted japanese arms with good bearings but it may be not as dynamic as R250/300.

[Lee Henley]

Cheers guys for the responses, I think Im going to move on from the Rega and look for an Acos or a SME, if nothing comes up then I may take the plunge and buy a brand new Jelco 750

Cheers

Lee

[montesquieu]

Jelco 750 is in an entirely different league ... worth saving the pennies for.

[Lee Henley]

Jelco 750 is in an entirely different league ... worth saving the pennies for.

They do get good write ups, would it be a better option than a SME 3009 ii improved tone arm?

[montesquieu]

They do get good write ups, would it be a better option than a SME 3009 ii improved tone arm?

That would depend on cartridge though my money for most purposes would be on the Jelco as it's happier with lower compliance cartridges and also works well with heavier headshells. For my money the bearing is a lot better too. (the SME looks cool and has its fans but the Jelco is a far more modern proposition). I've owned both btw.

[Lee Henley]

That would depend on cartridge though my money for most purposes would be on the Jelco as it's happier with lower compliance cartridges and also works well with heavier headshells. For my money the bearing is a lot better too. (the SME looks cool and has its fans but the Jelco is a far more modern proposition). I've owned both btw.

My current cart is an Ortofon Rhondo Bronze, I'd be looking to get a few more carts once I get a detachable head shell tone arm, always fancied a mono cart

[montesquieu]

My current cart is an Ortofon Rhondo Bronze, I'd be looking to get a few more carts once I get a detachable head shell tone arm, always fancied a mono cart

Jelco all the way with the Rondo Bronze.

[struth]

There was a jelco sold on here recently that I fancied but came too quick for me...excellent arm, but the sme is too......or a fettled rb300?

[Lee Henley]

There was a jelco sold on here recently that I fancied but came too quick for me...excellent arm, but the sme is too......or a fettled rb300?

Hi Struth, yes mate I saw that Jelco arm and deliberated it for a short while, wished Id have gone for it now!

The RB300 arm is a great arm but I fancy having a play with an arm with a detachable head shell

Cheers mate

Lee

[Johnnie7]

new anti skat belts are on sale on ebay for the rega r200 arm...and i have a load of these R200 arms in stock if anyone is interested please PM me

[Marco]

Happy 100th post, dude! Wherev ya been? Hope all is well :)

Marco.

[walpurgis]

new anti skat belts are on sale on ebay for the rega r200 arm.

That's good news. There'll be people wanting those.

[Johnnie7]

Happy 100th post, dude! Wherev ya been? Hope all is well :)

Marco.

yea...100 posts !!!!

[walpurgis]

100 posts? That makes for a long fence.

Anyway, congrats. :)

[Canetoad]

Thanks Johnnie! Ordered one for my arm. :)

[Marco]

yea...100 posts !!!!

Here’s to the next 100, dude! :cool:

Marco.