Michell Focus One

[martian sunrise]

I have been offered a Michell Focus One with a Linn Basik Lvv arm and an Ortofon CMS 20e cartridge. All in good condition and working well. Probably needing a new cart.

Currently, I am using a Rega P2, with the RB250 arm and AT95e cart.

For the price I have been offered (and what i would prob get for the P2), it seems to be a no-brainer, however, I'd like to ask opinions on how much of an upgrade this will be 'long-term' and what the upgrade options are. I have read that the arm is not well regarded - what are the options for replacing it? Also, what are spares and servicing like?

Now that I am pretty satisfied with the rest of my set-up, I had thought about going down the 1210 route, and upgrading along the way (probably to the PSU/bearing stage and no further). I'd really like to hear your thoughts on the long term implications of the 1210 vs the Focus route. I have to say, I like the idea of the 1210 and the build quality and upgradeability, but have not heard a fully tweaked one.

(I know the sound is the name of the game, but you have to admit the Focus is pretty...)

Thanks in advance,

Richie.

[struth]

Excellent tt is the focus. Should be ok with spares etc. Know nowt about arm and cart though. Focus is one of my fav decks

[Gordon Steadman]

A Google search for the LVV brings up a nice pic of the Focus with one fitted. Looks great. I used to have that arm on a BD1 kit. Always regretted 'upgrading' it. The improvement was a very smooth and precise sound that seemed to rob all the life from the music. I'd stick with the fitted arm and upgrade the cart if you want to make any changes at all.

I'd sit and listen for a few weeks and see if you actually need to change anything. You might just enjoy the music.

Upgraditus is a terrible disease and 99% of the time means a sideways move.

[martian sunrise]

Upgraditus is a terrible disease and 99% of the time means a sideways move.

I worry about the effects of upgraditis with a Techie, TBH. £$€...

[walpurgis]

The Focus One and LVV should be a nice combination.

I personally would use a more rigid cast alloy headshell, if the Linn arm retains its original pressed aluminium item.

I think you meant VMS 20E cartridge did you not? The Ortofon is decent enough. Although the LVV is quite capable of working with good MC cartridges.

[martian sunrise]

It's def a VMS 20E - sorry, fat fingers.

here is the headshell. its this the OEM issue? what would you recommend as a more rigid option?
18245

thanks for the replies - i have been pretty sheltered in my rega owning life...

[walpurgis]

No. That headshell should be OK. It's non original and is the later ADC magnesium item and is pretty rigid. That in combination with the LVV arm will work with just about any low to medium compliance cartridge you care to mount.

[topoxforddoc]

It looks in nice nick - suede platter finish looks intact. Lovely turntable.

[martian sunrise]

great - thanks again.

i'll be the third owner and it is likely the orig cart/stylus. is a new stylus a better option that the at95e, or should i try something new? I have just bought a firebottle (mm only) so i will probably be looking at mm.

[walpurgis]

Is the VMS 20E the Mk.I or has it got Mk.II written on the front?

The first VMS 20E had a pretty high compliance, but should be usable in that arm. The Mk.II if I recall is of slightly lower compliance. New genuine styli have been unavailable for some time. I'm sure aftermarket items can be found, but there's no way of knowing how good they may be.

My inclination would be to try a different cartridge, but that's just my view. I'd think a Denon DL-110 would work rather well here. Being a high output MC, it will work into an MM input. It's well priced too.

[martian sunrise]

Mk I, i think - the pic isn't clear.18246

I will have a good listen first, then think about it. I am always up for a bit of change.

[edit - it appears it is a MKII, as the MKi doesn't have markings on the from - amazing what an internet search can do...]

[walpurgis]

The Mk.II is more usable. Check the stylus with a microscope if you can. If there's no visible wear on the minor outer edge curve of the elliptical diamond (visible flats). Use it. If in doubt don't!

[martian sunrise]

Okay, it is home, set up and spinning.

First impressions are good. It is in (almost) perfect condition. Sounds really solid.

It is REALLY sensitive to vibrations.

[helma]

Okay, it is home, set up and spinning.

First impressions are good. It is in (almost) perfect condition. Sounds really solid.

It is REALLY sensitive to vibrations.

It is quite high compliance and really needs a light arm to show it's best. Recommended tracking force is 1.0g. I've seen it quite often in old turntables with way too heavy arms for it. It does sound good enough even in a mid weight arm but becomes highly excitable by warps etc. because the res. frequency becomes too low, and it sounds way better in a light arm. Don't know the effective mass for that Linn LVV, it's probably a bit too heavy for it, but at least the cartridge is mounted in a lightweight magnesium headshell, so someone has probably given it some thought at some point :)

[martian sunrise]

https://lfgss.microco.sm/api/v1/files/3af59d935bec4b2f4d6ff2dd8b1e602c7c03077a.JPG

[gratuitous photo]

[struth]

Suits you sir.:). Sits nicely there on top of that nice silver amp

[Kvaal]

The cart is one of the best reputated from Ortofon. New Japan-made styli are available
at reasonable prices. They are said to be good, and with more proper compliance than before.

[walpurgis]

The Focus One looks very good Johan.

I think you are on the right track if you can get a good stylus of slightly lower compliance from Japan. That should reduce the sensitivity to vibrations a bit.

[martian sunrise]

although i'm pretty happy with the sound, for the future reference, i've found two Japanese replacement styli:

jico (http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=59&products_id=1592)

and

thakker (https://www.thakker.eu/en/needles/d-20-e-mkii-stylus-for-ortofon-vms-20-e-mkii-generic-stylus/a-5447/)

is it safe to assume the more expensive jico is better?

[Kvaal]

They are probably from the same maker: Nagaoka. You can see it from the black dot on the cantilever. Here`s another:http://www.pickupnaalden.com/english/turntable_needles.asp?M=Ortofon_VMS-20-E-MK-II__4232

[martian sunrise]

awesome - thanks johan

[martian sunrise]

I have given a test LP a spin and the cart/arm resonance is at about 6/7hz. Lower than the recommended 8-12. Will a stylus alone get it into the correct zone or should I just bite the bullet and buy a lower compliance cart?