View Full Version : How nice is this tonearm
Audio Al
30-05-2017, 03:15
Love the looks of this SME arm , Satin black and silver :eyebrows:
Very nice
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SME-309-Tonearm-/192200857244?hash=item2cc010569c:g:Vp0AAOSwi7RZK-qa
337alant
30-05-2017, 03:44
Its very nice, I was thinking of buying one myself for my Pioneer turntable
At that price though I would just buy a new one.
Alan
Yup just found a new one online for £1,685, bit steep that for a secondhand item.
Uhhhh 'space age' pretty.
Just the thing for one's 1$ thrift store bought LP.
Beobloke
30-05-2017, 15:26
Love the looks of this SME arm , Satin black and silver :eyebrows:
Very nice
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SME-309-Tonearm-/192200857244?hash=item2cc010569c:g:Vp0AAOSwi7RZK-qa
Looks nice; sounds nice. I like mine!:D
Mikeandvan
30-05-2017, 23:08
There's a 20 year old 309 on Hi fi for sale for £900, think he'd take less as well.
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 08:04
Looks nice; sounds nice. I like mine!:D
ADAM
:worthless:
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 08:06
Yup just found a new one online for £1,685, bit steep that for a secondhand item.
Alan I wasent commenting on the price . just the ascetics / looks :eyebrows:
Stratmangler
31-05-2017, 08:15
ascetic
əˈsɛtɪk/
noun
plural noun: ascetics
a person who follows an ascetic life.
synonyms: abstainer, recluse, hermit, solitary, anchorite, anchoress, desert saint, celibate, puritan, nun, monk; fakir, Sufi, dervish;
yogi, rishi, sannyasi;
sadhu, muni;
hikikomori;
raregymnosophist, marabout, santon, eremite, stylite, pillar saint, pillar hermit, pillarist, aerialist, cenobite
"St Paul the Egyptian was a desert ascetic"
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 08:25
ascetic
əˈsɛtɪk/
noun
plural noun: ascetics
a person who follows an ascetic life.
synonyms: abstainer, recluse, hermit, solitary, anchorite, anchoress, desert saint, celibate, puritan, nun, monk; fakir, Sufi, dervish;
yogi, rishi, sannyasi;
sadhu, muni;
hikikomori;
raregymnosophist, marabout, santon, eremite, stylite, pillar saint, pillar hermit, pillarist, aerialist, cenobite
"St Paul the Egyptian was a desert ascetic"
Bit early for a English lesson , or maybe late :lol:
Sorry, daftee, not my thing at all... Looks wise, something like this is more up my street:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/vDjI8L.jpg
Stax UA-9. Simple, classic, lines! :)
Marco.
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 08:48
its lovely , subtle , not in your FACE :eek:
20426
Neither is the STAX in your face... Classic, almost Bauhaus, design.
Sorry, not a fan of modern SME magnesium arms. The only ones I like the looks of, from the current range, are the Series M2. In both 9 and 12" versions: https://sme.co.uk/audio/product/series-m2/
Noice... :cool:
The rest you can keep [and that also applies, sonically]! ;)
Marco.
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 09:04
The Series M2 in the looks department is somewhat Meeh , a bit ordinary / plain looking , maybe good in other areas I think you call that sonically :)
We just have different tastes on what we both think looks good. mate. No harm in that :)
I'm also much more of a fan of classic Japanese detachable headshell tonearms, such as my own Ortofon RS-212D:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/ap90S7.jpg
Gorgeous! And (with the type of cartridges I like to use) pisses all over any modern SME arm I've heard! ;)
Marco.
Audio Al
31-05-2017, 09:12
Yes I do like the looks of those arms , very stylish :eyebrows:
I quite like the look of both the Stax and the SME. Ultimately I'm not keen on the big SME writing and prefer the all black colouring of the V. On the Stax I'm not keen on the polished metal which is a bit bling for me - I would prefer a satin finish.
farflungstar
31-05-2017, 09:24
We just have different tastes on what we both think looks good. mate. No harm in that :)
I'm also much more of a fan of classic Japanese detachable headshell tonearms, such as my own Ortofon RS-212D:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/922/ap90S7.jpg
Gorgeous! And (with the type of cartridges I like to use) pisses all over any modern SME arm I've heard! ;)
Marco.
The 12" version is now on my shopping list. Bloody gorgeous.
Indeed, although not cheap! Having owned the 9" version for years, I can confirm that it sounds superb and that the build quality is the equal of anything SME :)
Marco.
The 300 series in black and silver looks a bit fussy for my taste. My 310 in silver looks better I think.
http://i1349.photobucket.com/albums/p753/neradi/Sony%20TTS-8000/2017-05-08%2018.05.21_zpswwmdzdcl.jpg
Is that a 12" arm, Paul? If so, IMO, an M2-12R would aesthetically suit the Sony more: https://sme.co.uk/audio/product/series-m2-12r/
Or its 9" brother, the M2-9R... Better still, something quality and Japanese from the era, (S or Y-shaped, with a detachable headshell) :)
Vintage T/Ts need vintage (or vintage-style) arms! ;)
Marco.
Spectral Morn
01-06-2017, 18:19
And way over a thousand pounds dearer than it used to be, why ? SME have all the tooling, all paid for.
Anyway that is the finish I remember mine being, an early one and it sounded better too.
Is that a 12" arm, Paul? If so, IMO, an M2-12R, would aesthetically suit the Sony more: https://sme.co.uk/audio/product/series-m2-12r/
Or its 9" brother, the M2-9R... Better still, something quality and Japanese from the era, (S or Y-shaped, with a detachable headshell) :)
Vintage T/Ts need vintage (or vintage-style) arms! ;)
Marco.
I don't disagree on the aesthetics of the M2-9R/M2-12R Marco. They're lovely looking arms. According the the seller of my turntable, at the time of its launch, the Japanese believed that the optimum arm length was 10" and like many of the big Japanese decks of the era my Sony was built to take a 10" arm. I bought the 310 because it is the only 10" arm that SME make other than the straight M2-10 which I think looks a bit odd.
The Sony could take a 9" or a 12" SME but in both cases would run out of room for full adjustment which could limit cartridge choice. I've seen reviews of the deck with a 309 mounted and I know Oldius uses an SME IV on his so it may not be much of an issue in practice.
I'm happy with the aesthetics of the deck/arm in the flesh but if I were looking for a suitable 10" vintage arm I'd be after a Sony PUA-9 or Fidelity Research FR-64.
Is that a 12" arm, Paul? If so, IMO, an M2-12R would aesthetically suit the Sony more: https://sme.co.uk/audio/product/series-m2-12r/
Or its 9" brother, the M2-9R... Better still, something quality and Japanese from the era, (S or Y-shaped, with a detachable headshell) :)
Vintage T/Ts need vintage (or vintage-style) arms! ;)
Marco.
What is a "Y-shaped" arm? Do you mean "J-shaped"?
Haha - yes, apologies for the earlier idiocy! :lol:
Marco.
I don't disagree on the aesthetics of the M2-9R/M2-12R Marco. They're lovely looking arms. According the the seller of my turntable, at the time of its launch, the Japanese believed that the optimum arm length was 10" and like many of the big Japanese decks of the era my Sony was built to take a 10" arm. I bought the 310 because it is the only 10" arm that SME make other than the straight M2-10 which I think looks a bit odd.
The Sony could take a 9" or a 12" SME but in both cases would run out of room for full adjustment which could limit cartridge choice. I've seen reviews of the deck with a 309 mounted and I know Oldius uses an SME IV on his so it may not be much of an issue in practice.
I'm happy with the aesthetics of the deck/arm in the flesh but if I were looking for a suitable 10" vintage arm I'd be after a Sony PUA-9 or Fidelity Research FR-64.
Difficult to say what the optimum length should be. The tracking distortion varies as the inverse of the effective arm length, whereas the effective mass increases as the square of the length. Thus a 12" arm will display only 75% of the tracking distortion that a 9" arm produces, but its effective mass will be 78% greater.
I use arms varying in length from 9" to 12", with a couple of them being closer to 10" and 10.5".
I don't disagree on the aesthetics of the M2-9R/M2-12R Marco. They're lovely looking arms. According the the seller of my turntable, at the time of its launch, the Japanese believed that the optimum arm length was 10" and like many of the big Japanese decks of the era my Sony was built to take a 10" arm. I bought the 310 because it is the only 10" arm that SME make other than the straight M2-10 which I think looks a bit odd.
The Sony could take a 9" or a 12" SME but in both cases would run out of room for full adjustment which could limit cartridge choice. I've seen reviews of the deck with a 309 mounted and I know Oldius uses an SME IV on his so it may not be much of an issue in practice.
I'm happy with the aesthetics of the deck/arm in the flesh but if I were looking for a suitable 10" vintage arm I'd be after a Sony PUA-9 or Fidelity Research FR-64.
A 10" Jelco I suspect would also be a great match, sonically and aesthetically :)
I also agree with the Japs on the 10" thing - best of both worlds between a nine and a twelve! ;) Denon also did some nice ones....
Marco.
Beobloke
02-06-2017, 11:37
ADAM
:worthless:
Here you go, Al!
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/SME_Nak%201s_zps96bbmvxx.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/SME_Nak%201s_zps96bbmvxx.jpg.html)
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/SME_Nak%202s_zpstyfxymjh.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/SME_Nak%202s_zpstyfxymjh.jpg.html)
Ammonite Audio
02-06-2017, 11:50
Oooh! I do like those coloured lights.
Audio Al
02-06-2017, 12:33
Adam that is porn , I need Kleenex man size :D
Lovely indeed :eyebrows:
Sorry, I remain completely unmoved.... ;)
Marco.
Beobloke
02-06-2017, 13:57
Sorry, I remain completely unmoved.... ;)
Marco.
What - even by the Nak? Heathen!! ;)
Oh yes, that's LURVELY... But the tonearm does hee-haw for me.
I keep saying that vintage turntables deserve (quality) VINTAGE TONEARMS!! :ner:;)
Marco.
Since the Nakamichi was made for them by Micro Seikei, perhaps an arm from the latter would be be more appropriate? ;)
Yup, good call, Bazza! :thumbsup:
Marco.
Audio Al
02-06-2017, 15:45
Sorry, I remain completely unmoved.... ;)
Marco.
NO accounting for taste :doh:
:)
We both like the Ortofon arms :)
Marco.
Oh yes, that's LURVELY... But the tonearm does hee-haw for me.
I keep saying that vintage turntables deserve (quality) VINTAGE TONEARMS!! :ner:;)
Marco.
What qualifies as vintage? 25, 30, 40 years old? The 300 series was launched 29 years ago in 1988.
337alant
02-06-2017, 16:41
Sorry, I remain completely unmoved.... ;)
Marco.
Try taking prunes Marco it really helps:D
Alan
What qualifies as vintage? 25, 30, 40 years old? The 300 series was launched 29 years ago in 1988.
Good point, Paul. However, I'd say something quality that's no longer in production and LOOKS 'vintage' (read as, of its era)... Ignore me though, as I'd just not put anything else on a vintage Jap T/T, than a (quality) vintage Jap tonearm :)
Something like a nice FR-64, or a Micro-Sieki, or a classic broadcast arm from Denon or Audio Technica. Or something like this from SAEC:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SAEC-WE-308SX-tonearm-for-almost-cartridges-without-cable-very-beautiful-/352066477671?hash=item51f8cc1e67:g:lhcAAOSwvg9Xd3R h
Now *THAT* is bloody gorgeous! :stalks: :stalks:
Marco.
There's also the thing for me (and I'm not saying that this applies to you) of folk simply strapping SME arms onto T/Ts because they're a simple (decent sounding) option, and easily obtained, but with it, also common as muck...! ;)
It's probably the latter that turns me off them more than any aspect of their sound, as I like to be different and own things most others don't have, so in that respect am predisposed to admiring the obscure, rare or unusual. For me, that's all part of the attraction of owning vintage gear :)
Marco.
Try taking prunes Marco it really helps:D
Heh-heh... A nice hot Thai green curry usually 'shifts' me, which I've just had! Looking forward to blowing the sheets off the bed later, and pressing out a few 'turtle-headed terrors' tomorrow morning.... :eyebrows:
Marco.
Ignore me though, as I'd just not put anything else on a vintage Jap T/T, than a (quality) vintage Jap tonearm :)
Marco.
Don't you have a relatively modern Danish arm on your own vintage Japanese deck? :scratch:
Don't you have a relatively modern Danish arm on your own vintage Japanese deck? :scratch:
It's a Japanese manufactured arm made for a Danish company. Actually the Japanese manufacturer in question made many arms for other companies on an OEM basis.
Don't you have a relatively modern Danish arm on your own vintage Japanese deck? :scratch:
Yes, or rather wot Barry said. However, I don't own a genuinely vintage T/T. Perhaps if my Techy was the original one from 1972.... But, how many folk in the UK, who run a turntable, do you think own an RS-212D, or more so, its 12" brother?
I'd bet the total would be in single figures... Compare that with the many hundreds (if not thousands) of SME, Linn or Rega tonearms widely in use ;)
However, if I had the type of T/T Adam or you have, you can bet your boots I'd have fitted a tonearm that's both in keeping with the period of the T/T, and a little 'off the wall'... I don't do 'obvious choices'.
That said, the most important thing is that YOU are happy with the results achieved and enjoy the music! :)
Marco.
It's a Japanese manufactured arm made for a Danish company. Actually the Japanese manufacturer in question made many arms for other companies on an OEM basis.
Thanks for explaining the conundrum Barry. Out of curiosity what is the company concerned?
also common as muck...! ;)
It's probably the latter that turns me off them more than any aspect of their sound, as I like to be different and own things most others don't have, so in that respect am predisposed to admiring the obscure, rare or unusual. For me, that's all part of the attraction of owning vintage gear :)
Marco.
:thumbsup: me too. You're right though SMEs don't fall in that category. 310s in silver are pretty hard to find though :)
Thanks for explaining the conundrum Barry. Out of curiosity what is the company concerned?
Jelco :)
:thumbsup: me too. You're right though SMEs don't fall in that category. 310s in silver are pretty hard to find though
Sure... It's just the styling I'm not into (undoubtedly a personal thing). And it's not just with hi-fi gear that I like to own something different from the norm, but with most things I buy or am into. One thing I've always hated is blindly following the herd!
Therefore, if something's in fashion, or as per the buzzword often used these days, 'on trend', I'm liable to do the opposite!! :D
Marco.
Yes, or rather wot Barry said. However, I don't own a genuinely vintage T/T. Perhaps if my Techy was the original one from 1972.... But, how many folk in the UK, who have a turntable, do you think own an RS-212D, or more so, its 12" brother? I'd bet the total would be in single figures ;)
However, if I had the type of T/T Adam or you have, you can bet your boots I'd have fitted a tonearm that's both in keeping with the period of the T/T, and a little 'off the wall'... I don't do 'obvious choices'.
That said, the most important thing is that YOU are happy with the results achieved :)
Marco.
Despite having opted for the 310, I'm inclined to agree with you Marco. An arm like the FR64S would be more in keeping with the deck. Indeed I considered an FR64FX that was on ebay at the time I bought the deck. I went for the 310 because it was available and the FR64FX was too heavy for my cartridge at the time. Sadly timing is everything in these matters and my budget then wouldn't stretch to a new deck, arm and cartridge.
I agree that there is a certain pleasure to be derived from owning something lovely and rare like your arm. Indeed, while SME arms might be commonplace in themselves, I doubt there are any others in the country mounted on a TTS-8000 and carrying a Purpleheart NOS. :)
that seller has some lovely jap tonearms listed,the prices seem good to.
Despite having opted for the 310, I'm inclined to agree with you Marco. An arm like the FR64S would be more in keeping with the deck. Indeed I considered an FR64FX that was on ebay at the time I bought the deck. I went for the 310 because it was available and the FR64FX was too heavy for my cartridge at the time. Sadly timing is everything in these matters and my budget then wouldn't stretch to a new deck, arm and cartridge.
Absolutely, and like you say, the final choice is also cartridge dependent. As you probably know, I'm a 'high-mass/low-compliance man', which therefore significantly influences my choices in terms of carts and tonearms :)
I agree that there is a certain pleasure to be derived from owning something lovely and rare like your arm. Indeed, while SME arms might be commonplace in themselves, I doubt there are any others in the country mounted on a TTS-8000 and carrying a Purpleheart NOS.
Damn right, and I'm sure it's a superb sounding combo! Also, my tonearm may be rare in the UK, but probably ten-a-penny in Japan (or Denmark).
Marco.
Here's a lovely thing I'd fit on your T/T or Adam's: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-old-stock-DENON-Columbia-DA-302-tonearm-used-in-NHK-broadcast-station-/282491264276
I've almost soiled my pants just looking at it!! :stalks: :drool:
Marco.
That is a very handsome arm. A lovely thing indeed.
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/he4AAOSwZKBZJQBf/s-l1600.jpg
RobbieGong
02-06-2017, 21:33
Daft money here but a rare stunner all the same, regarded as one of the best http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Micro-Seiki-MAX-282-Tonearm-with-XP-282SC-armwand-/252966608842?
The info and tonearm eye candy here http://www.thevintageknob.org/micro_seiki-MAX-282.html
Indeed, Paul... It's retro-tastic! See what happens when you apply a little lateral thinking? ;)
Marco.
Daft money here but a rare stunner all the same, regarded as one of the best http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Micro-Seiki-MAX-282-Tonearm-with-XP-282SC-armwand-/252966608842?
That's a veritable belter, Robert! :wow:
Marco.
RobbieGong
02-06-2017, 21:42
That's a veritable belter, Robert! :wow:
Marco.
Ya not wrong Marco. Looks and built with serious genuine audiophile intention, from back in the hey day when they just could and did.
The 'J' one, top in the vintageknob pic is just too sweet for words :stalks: http://www.thevintageknob.org/micro_seiki-MAX-282.html actually all three are :eek:
Beobloke
02-06-2017, 22:09
Just to clarify, I don't use the SME because it looks nice, or because I want to fit in with lots of other people who like it. I use it because I like the sound it makes. One day I will be changing it for a Series V, because I like the sound that makes even more!
Yes, but it's clear you're just an unswerving SME fanboy! :lol::ner:
;)
Marco.
RobbieGong
02-06-2017, 22:29
Yes, but it's clear you're just an unswerving SME fanboy! :lol::ner:
;)
Marco.
Leave the man alone with his rather nice SME Marco ya blinkin naughty mischief :lol:
:lolsign:
Seriously though, I'd take that gorgeous Micro-Sieki, which you linked to earlier, [B]any day[B] over an SME V! Especially with the types of cartridges I use....
Marco.
Beobloke
03-06-2017, 00:02
I'll grant you the Micro Seiki is lovely, but worth $7,000? I doubt it.
As to that Denon thing, it looks like somebody threw it together in a shed and forgot the anti-skating! :D :ner:
The Micro-Sieki defo isn't 'worth' $7000 [much of that price equates to its rarity value], but for me neither is a new SME V 'worth' £4k! :nono:
That price is almost as absurd as that of the MS, and a large chunk of it derives from the perceived 'desirability' of the SME badge, which isn't something I'd be willing to pay for....
Here's the question I'd ask: how much was the Micro-Sieki, when it was first introduced, and how does that price compare with the current cost of an SME V? :)
As for the Denon, it's a classic Japanese broadcast arm, which no doubt would sound superb, with a DL-103 on the end, and fitted to say, an SP10 MKIII. And I'd take the sound that combo would likely produce over that of ANY turntable made today! ;)
Marco.
My two most recent acquisitions are for me definitely things of beauty, as well as being suburb performers:
Brinkmann 10.5 tonearm
http://www.brinkmann-audio.com/inhalt/bilder/tonarm105.jpg
(shown above the 12” version)
Heavily influenced by the Swiss Breuer Dynamic designs, that sadly are no longer made. I have used a Breuer Type 5A arm for the last 30 years.
and
SME M2-12R tonearm
https://www.oxfordaudio.co.uk/assets/download/4980/sme-series-m2-12r.jpg
Yes – I have been using SME arms of one form or another since 1970, and I’m not going to change now.
Yes, both very handsome designs. Not taking anything away from the SME but the Brinkmann I find most desirable :).
Me too! Sexy as f*ck.... Makes modern SMEs look staid and somewhat clumsy.
Marco.
Yes indeed the Brinkmann is gorgeous. In my opinion it's the nicest looking arm to appear on this thread. It seems to me that it would look right at home on a deck of any vintage as it has a timeless elegance.
Audio Al
03-06-2017, 20:12
Here's a lovely thing I'd fit on your T/T or Adam's: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-old-stock-DENON-Columbia-DA-302-tonearm-used-in-NHK-broadcast-station-/282491264276
I've almost soiled my pants just looking at it!! :stalks: :drool:
Marco.
:scratch: Really :doh: it looks pants to me , looks like a rose joint with a tube through it :scratch:
Yes indeed the Brinkmann is gorgeous. In my opinion it's the nicest looking arm to appear on this thread. It seems to me that it would look right at home on a deck of any vintage as it has a timeless elegance.
+1. A veritable design classic :)
Marco.
:scratch: Really :doh: it looks pants to me , looks like a rose joint with a tube through it :scratch:
Lol... Of course I disagree, but then I'm biased towards professional broadcast equipment, which is one of my passions, and why the Denon very much appeals to me :cool:
Marco.
The Groovemaster is rather nice.
http://www.bd-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/wally-skater-4-768x768.jpg
Spectral Morn
03-06-2017, 21:02
http://www.triplanar.com/i/tonearm_silver-black.jpg
:D
Audio Al
03-06-2017, 21:09
http://www.triplanar.com/i/tonearm_silver-black.jpg
:D
Wow a terminator tone arm :guns:
Spectral Morn
03-06-2017, 21:41
Wow a terminator tone arm :guns:
Triplanar mk7
Mine on one of my Technics turntables.
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/001_zps5qjc3qgr.jpg
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/002_zpslaykxzco.jpg
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii364/davros124/003_zps97lise4s.jpg
Audio Al
04-06-2017, 01:38
:eek: Blimey that is some engineering :eyebrows:
Shame about the TT colour :scratch:
Spectral Morn
04-06-2017, 17:24
:eek: Blimey that is some engineering :eyebrows:
Shame about the TT colour :scratch:
I like it :D
Beobloke
05-06-2017, 11:59
OK, we've had some fun and there have been some daft suggestions in the name of comedy, but Al started this as a serious thread, so I think it's time to post an arm that I hope we can all agree is utterly stunning and probably the best looking arm ever made.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg.html)
Mods - you can close the thread now, and feel free to ban anyone who disagrees for a week! :D
Bigman80
05-06-2017, 12:53
I have to agree, that this is a thing of beauty
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
As I own one I would also have to agree. It is a bit timeless in its elegant simplicity. It's beautifully machined too from titanium and stainless steel.
Bigman80
05-06-2017, 14:36
As I own one I would also have to agree. It is a bit timeless in its elegant simplicity. It's beautifully machined too from titanium and stainless steel.
🤑🤑🤑
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
The Groovemaster is rather nice.
http://www.bd-audio.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/wally-skater-4-768x768.jpg
Oh - yes I like that one. :)
OK, we've had some fun and there have been some daft suggestions in the name of comedy, but Al started this as a serious thread, so I think it's time to post an arm that I hope we can all agree is utterly stunning and probably the best looking arm ever made.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg.html)
Mods - you can close the thread now, and feel free to ban anyone who disagrees for a week! :D
Really - such as?
And no - despite its superb performance, the Alphason arm is not "utterly stunning and probably the best looking arm ever made".
walpurgis
05-06-2017, 16:58
I thought they were for listening to anyway. Not gawping at! ;)
I thought they were for listening to anyway. Not gawping at! ;)
Yes, that's why they are erroneously called 'tonearms'. :D
OK, we've had some fun and there have been some daft suggestions in the name of comedy, but Al started this as a serious thread, so I think it's time to post an arm that I hope we can all agree is utterly stunning and probably the best looking arm ever made.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg.html)
Mods - you can close the thread now, and feel free to ban anyone who disagrees for a week! :D
No disagreement there - and also far nicer looking/better sounding than any modern SME!
[Thread closed]
No, not really...... ;)
Marco.
Ammonite Audio
05-06-2017, 18:09
OK, we've had some fun and there have been some daft suggestions in the name of comedy, but Al started this as a serious thread, so I think it's time to post an arm that I hope we can all agree is utterly stunning and probably the best looking arm ever made.
http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa428/Beobloke/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg (http://s1197.photobucket.com/user/Beobloke/media/191.0550x0188_zpsagiojcw8.jpg.html)
Mods - you can close the thread now, and feel free to ban anyone who disagrees for a week! :D
Interesting that Avid chose titanium as the armtube and headshell material for their new tonearms! Maybe the old Alphason inspired that choice? Whatever, these new arms look lovely and I hope the sound matches the engineering and finish.
http://www.fanthorpes.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/AVIDTONEARM.jpg
Well, if money were no object i'd seriously consider one of these:
https://www.stereophile.com/images/styles/600_wide/public/715sat.promo_.jpg
Some more reading here:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/swedish-analog-technologies-tonearm
As I own one I would also have to agree. It is a bit timeless in its elegant simplicity. It's beautifully machined too from titanium and stainless steel.
i also own one and agree with you totally,oh and it destroys mission 774's :ner:
Bigman80
05-06-2017, 18:37
i also own one and agree with you totally,oh and it destroys mission 774's :ner:
Im not having it, Jamie. I need one of my own to try against my mission774.
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Well, if money were no object i'd seriously consider one of these:
https://www.stereophile.com/images/styles/600_wide/public/715sat.promo_.jpg
Some more reading here:
https://www.stereophile.com/content/swedish-analog-technologies-tonearm
$28,000 is a lot of dosh for an arm! But the designer seems to have thought carefully about the design. I like the idea of the 'falling weight' bias compensation producing constant torque, which most don't.
Don't agree with the designer's choice of null-radii though.
Beobloke
05-06-2017, 19:25
Interesting that Avid chose titanium as the armtube and headshell material for their new tonearms! Maybe the old Alphason inspired that choice?
I had a chat with Conrad from Avid at Munich and I couldn't possibly comment... ;)
Spectral Morn
10-06-2017, 15:14
No disagreement there - and also far nicer looking/better sounding than any modern SME!
[Thread closed]
No, not really...... ;)
Marco.
Here is the thing back in the day the HR100 S was good, but the SME 4 and 5 were in my opinion better tonearms. I remember it well and the other Alphason arms.... well they were ok, but the 100 was the best they did and sounded good on a Sonata, but off that the SME's in my view were better sounding. I know many folks disagree but I have a pretty good memory and it was an SME I wanted back then not a 100s. I did plenty of listening as well, I was one of the turntable builders and set up guys back then in a shop that sold all of those brands and more, so set them up multiple times.
Each to his own, muchacho. You obviously dig SMEs, which is cool. I don't like any of their designs featuring the use of magnesium armtubes.
For me, once you've successfully 'tuned into' their distinctive (over-damped) sonic signature, and dislike it, you can hear it no matter what turntable they're fitted to. SME's J-shaped stainless-steel arms, to my ears, give music more 'life'.
Therefore, the only arms of theirs I rate are the vintage 3009 and 3012 (preferably with SPUs on the end) and the current M2-9 and 12R. The rest, you can keep! ;)
Marco.
paulf-2007
01-07-2017, 20:47
Sorry, daftee, not my thing at all... Looks wise, something like this is more up my street:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/924/vDjI8L.jpg
Stax UA-9. Simple, classic, lines! :)
Marco.
Yes indeed, I use a UA-70 on my Denon and have a UA-7 waiting for a worthy tt
paulf-2007
01-07-2017, 21:03
:scratch: Really :doh: it looks pants to me , looks like a rose joint with a tube through it :scratch:
Yep I'm with you Al, looks crap, it's just the price that gets you guys drooling.
Lol... Paul, you need to dig classic radio station broadcast equipment, to 'get' what the Denon is all about. Trust me though, looks aside (which is a personal thing), that arm, with a DL-103 strapped on the end, fitted to, say, an SP10 in a quality plinth, would sound superb! :cool:
Marco.
paulf-2007
03-07-2017, 11:49
Lol... Paul, you need to dig classic radio station broadcast equipment, to 'get' what the Denon is all about. Trust me though, looks aside (which is a personal thing), that arm, with a DL-103 strapped on the end, fitted to, say, an SP10 in a quality plinth, would sound superb! :cool:
Marco.i didn't check out the link to the Denon, so thought Al was talking about another arm silly me. I was tempted to bid on a Denon arm recently to try on the Denon dp80 but owning two lovely Stax arms I decided not to. I've heard an SP10 with a decent arm and spu and it was ok. Anyone can throw huge amounts of money at this interest but get very little more than showing off rights. To me those people just look stupid. But each to his own.
Sure... The point I was making though, is that in hi-fi there are often specific 'tools' for doing certain jobs, which nothing else can do as well, and that's the case with Denon arms like that, and a DL-103.
Such high-mass arms really make it sing! :cool:
Marco.
paulf-2007
04-07-2017, 20:37
Sure... The point I was making though, is that in hi-fi there are often specific 'tools' for doing certain jobs, which nothing else can do as well, and that's the case with Denon arms like that, and a DL-103.
Such high-mass arms really make it sing! :cool:
Marco.point taken Marco. I have a rosewood single point arm that's pretty high mass and a 103r I ought to make the effort and mount it on my arm pod on the DP80.
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