Tonearm Advice Needed

[slipperyjim]

I mentioned elsewhere that I was set on moving from the RB300 currently on my Garrard 301 to an OL Silver. Seemed logical because I was already taken with the Rega sound.

A couple of replies seemed to question that decision and, on reflection, my only experience was fro moving up from the POS Linn Basik arm to the RB300 on my old LP12 where it certainly outclassed a mate's Ittok. This was in the days of Linn/Naim supercompatibility B/S where only Linn products sounded good on a Sondek. I subsequently discovered that nothing could ever sound any good on a Sondek, but there you are.

Going back to square one, I'm tempted to go for a 12" arm. The reduced tracking error appeals to me but also the aesthetics of a rectangular plinth pleases me more than a square stumpy one.

A few days lurking have led me to the Jelco or some kind of SME (2-12, 312, 312S or old 3012-2). There's a 2-12 on ebay now and prices for SME kit seem to vary quite a bit, not sure about Jelco. Prefer British but if the Jelco makes huge financial sense then so be it.

Opinions sought.

Any plinth help would be appreciated too. Slatedeck seem to have gone for now.

[slipperyjim]

Should add that cart is a Dynavector DV20X. This probably affects something or other but buggered if I know what.

[chris@panteg]

Hi Dai

I think Guy (Puresound) has just acquired a 12 ' SA750 he may be able to offer some advice here .

[hifi_dave]

A couple of weeks ago I purchased an SME 312S to go on a Nottingham Analogue Dais and I can confirm that it is a lovely bit of kit - as they say. On the same Dais I also use a 12 inch Notts Ace Anna arm.

A good 12 inch arm doesn't just lower tracking distortion by a few per cent, it sounds so much easier and more solid, more in the room than it's shorter brethren. I wouldn't use anything else other than 12 inches, given the choice.

[slipperyjim]

I wouldn't use anything else other than 12 inches, given the choice.

Sorry, having a bit of a Carry On moment just now :o

[DSJR]

The pauper in me reacts a bit to the significant price rise of a 12" arm when only a very few quid extra is involved, but I echo Dave's feelings on extra "ease" with a 12" arm.

A good compromise could be the 10" Jelco, who've made arms for almost everyone including Linn (all the Basiks and Ittoks I understand)

[hifi_dave]

Sorry, having a bit of a Carry On moment just now :o

I know, I know and I deliberately held off the obvious - I've got 12 inches but I don't use it as a rule - type of comment. :eyebrows:

[DSJR]

Oooh you tease :eyebrows: :p

[Haselsh1]

I know, I know and I deliberately held off the obvious - I've got 12 inches but I don't use it as a rule - type of comment. :eyebrows:

Crackin comment...:bum:

[The Vinyl Adventure]

Crack in comment?

[John]

How about something a bit more leftfield like the Terminator not to everybody taste but a serious hifi bargain that will take on any arm up to 5 times it price IMHO works well with a 301 Clive replaced an OL Illustrious (i think) on a 301 and i replaced an SME 4 silver wired arm and it totally blew that arm in every department No idea what it be like with you cart but if you ever get a Decca boy is that a good combination
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0408/trans_fi_terminator_tonearm.htm

[slipperyjim]

The terminator does seem like a nice solution but SWMBO would go apeshit if it appeared in our living room.