Audio Note Io1

[petrat]

Bought new by the present owner from Deco Audio, this has around 300 hours of use, max.

http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff384/petrat56/PetratHiFi%202013/011_zps4juahqhr.jpg (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/petrat56/media/PetratHiFi%202013/011_zps4juahqhr.jpg.html)

For sale at £1200 ... one of the best cartridges available, this is offered at less than half the retail price.

[lordmortlock]

I must try one of these one day. No point in fastening to the end of an rb1000 I guess? Even with the heavy counterweight.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Peter,

I'd have had this in a heart beat if it wasn't for the fact I'll be dropping a few grand on getting my Croft & Sondex amps pimped to kingdon come. :steam:

I've had one of these on my radar for the last 2 years..... :wah:

[petrat]

I must try one of these one day. No point in fastening to the end of an rb1000 I guess? Even with the heavy counterweight.

Yep, it'd probably work well, Jake The Io1 is only about 11 grams, and works well on 'regular' mass arms (the current AN Arm has an effective mass of about 14 grams). Also, contrary to popular myth, it works perfectly well into a 30dB SUT or 70dB mc phonostage. Tracks at 2 grams, and is remarkably tolerant of alignment, etc ... not at all temperamental in any way.

[petrat]

Peter,

I'd have had this in a heart beat if it wasn't for the fact I'll be dropping a few grand on getting my Croft & Sondex amps pimped to kingdon come. :steam:

I've had one of these on my radar for the last 2 years..... :wah:

Yes Andrew, it's a fantastic all-rounder, and for many would be the end-game choice. One good thing is that they last for ages (I know of one with around 2500 hours, which was sent to AN and returned as having plenty of life left). And, once the time comes for a re-tip, AN actually rebuild the whole thing for about £700 ... completely new innards.

[petrat]

Now sold.

[lordmortlock]

Now sold.

And sounding quite superb with an RB1000 and an old yves cochet pp un two box head amp. Thanks again Peter ... now Let's see if I can bring myself to sell my other cartridges!

[Barry]

I would have thought the Io1 deserve a better arm than the Rega 1000. An SME V or Brinkman 10.5 perhaps?

[lordmortlock]

I like the look of the AN Arm 3 Barry. I think that'll be my next move.

[Barry]

I like the look of the AN Arm 3 Barry. I think that'll be my next move.

I don't know of that arm Jake, but if it is an Audio Note design, it ought to be a good synergistic match for your superb Io 1 catridge. Well done! :)

[petrat]

... it ought to be a good synergistic match for your superb Io 1 catridge ...

It is. As is the Arm 1 ... no difference apart from the wire, and half the price. I have owned both and could detect no audible difference. The Arm 1is not for suspended decks, though, as the external cable is rather stiff ... go for the Arm 2 instead. Same geometry as the rega, so a straight swap.

[lordmortlock]

That's good to know, thanks Peter.

Some more listening tonight and I'm not going to rush to switch arms, as what's here sounds very good. Maybe not that surprising given that the Mk1 Audionote arm was a modded rega.