View Full Version : What does one consider to be the best sounding tonearm
Vrajbasi
28-06-2020, 17:24
Its a wet rainy day, having already started a thread on what one thinks is the best looking tonearm, obviously looks and sound does not go hand in hand how important are the looks? and also what does one feel is the best sounding tonearm they have ever heard or owned or would like to ever own should budget permit.
I thought my OL Encounter 3C was a superb sounding arm, however when I recently upgraded to a Conqueror 3C the jump in SQ was astonishing. So god knows what moving up to the soon to be released £24k Renown or the yet to be released (12 - 18 months) £47k invincible would bring to the party?
For me though at this moment my dream arm is the 14" Kuzma 4 point.
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To some extent it depends on the cartridge used, but all of my current arms in use sound pretty neutral to me (tonearms should not have a sound of their own - that's the job of the cartridge):
Breuer Dynamic Type 5A
Brinkmann 10.5
Ortofon 309i (Ikeda modified)
SME M-12R.
There are a couple of tangential tracking arms that interest me, but they have problems of their own so I doubt if I would pursue that course. The new Glanz arms interest me, as does the Abis SA-1.
Jac Hawk
28-06-2020, 18:51
Sorry this is a pointless thread, as Barry has said the best sounding tonearm shouldn’t have any effect it should be neutral and let the cartridge sing, again sorry but this is a thread where everyone chips in with something, no one really agrees or can say one way or the other, pointless
Beobloke
28-06-2020, 21:47
SME V. That was an easy one.
In fact, why do I still not have one?
Jac Hawk
28-06-2020, 21:56
SME V. That was an easy one.
In fact, why do I still not have one?
Probably £4k worth of reasons mate
Probably £4k worth of reasons mate...and the sound, it doesn't impart according to many but according to me it does detract... Yes I know, it looks like Darth Vader's doodle of a stealth bomber which is cool I guess, but really is there any more than that?
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Vrajbasi
29-06-2020, 13:30
The sme v is a pain of a arm in my experience, no two sound the same. The arm has evolved over the years and good one can be just stunning a poor sample can sound dry and boring. I must have owned at lest 15 examples over the years. I have just taken delivery of the Primary Control field coil arm this has proven to be a very special beast indeed.
prestonchipfryer
29-06-2020, 15:39
The sme v is a pain of a arm in my experience, no two sound the same. The arm has evolved over the years and good one can be just stunning a poor sample can sound dry and boring. I must have owned at lest 15 examples over the years. I have just taken delivery of the Primary Control field coil arm this has proven to be a very special beast indeed.
Surprising you have any time to listen with all the swapping and changing you must do trying to reach a goal that does not exist. 😉
alcarmichael
29-06-2020, 17:44
I quite scarily agreed to buy an SME 10 with the 309 tonearm after never hearing any of the ‘boring/cold/dry’ magnesium SME variants. I have put on a Killian Bakker re-tipped Cadenza Bronze and all I hear is warm, beautiful music. I think I will soon be listing my Origin Live Illustrious. The fact that the SME is an absolute joy to set up is a complete bonus.
I have to confess the SME V is the only arm I might want to buy, but with SME now refusing to service them, or to sell any spare parts, the idea is rapidly receding.
alcarmichael
29-06-2020, 19:16
I didn’t realise that they refuse to service them or sell spares. That can’t do them any favours with turntable sales.
Vrajbasi
29-06-2020, 20:43
I quite scarily agreed to buy an SME 10 with the 309 tonearm after never hearing any of the ‘boring/cold/dry’ magnesium SME variants. I have put on a Killian Bakker re-tipped Cadenza Bronze and all I hear is warm, beautiful music. I think I will soon be listing my Origin Live Illustrious. The fact that the SME is an absolute joy to set up is a complete bonus.
I have to agree Sme decks have a lot to offer especially in terms of easy to set up and a joy to use every day total fuss free ownership.
flapland
29-06-2020, 21:38
This is the official announcement of SME Tonearm sales ending. However it does state servicing and support continues.
SME will exit the tonearm retail and OEM business with immediate effect shifting our focus on our core turntable and tonearm combination business. The decision to leave the tonearm business was not taken lightly, especially as we have played a key role in the design and development of the world’s best tonearms. The growth of our turntable business and commitment to higher production levels means that we cannot continue both streams.
SME has designed, engineered and manufactured tonearms for retail and OEM sales since 1959 and achieved international recognition as makers of the best pick-up arms in the world. This tradition of tonearm manufacturing will continue with the manufacture of our highly accredited tonearms for the purpose of coupling with our comprehensive range of high-end precision turntables in which SME will be expanding in 2020.
Whilst no new orders for individual tonearms will be accepted from the issue date of this product announcement, all obligations of the warranty will be honoured. Factory service and spare parts support for tonearm owners will continue.
Stuart McNeilis
Chief Executive Officer
This is the official announcement of SME Tonearm sales ending. However it does state servicing and support continues.
SME will exit the tonearm retail and OEM business with immediate effect shifting our focus on our core turntable and tonearm combination business. The decision to leave the tonearm business was not taken lightly, especially as we have played a key role in the design and development of the world’s best tonearms. The growth of our turntable business and commitment to higher production levels means that we cannot continue both streams.
SME has designed, engineered and manufactured tonearms for retail and OEM sales since 1959 and achieved international recognition as makers of the best pick-up arms in the world. This tradition of tonearm manufacturing will continue with the manufacture of our highly accredited tonearms for the purpose of coupling with our comprehensive range of high-end precision turntables in which SME will be expanding in 2020.
Whilst no new orders for individual tonearms will be accepted from the issue date of this product announcement, all obligations of the warranty will be honoured. Factory service and spare parts support for tonearm owners will continue.
Stuart McNeilis
Chief Executive Officer
Maybe for the Mk. IV, V and 300 series. But the servicing of the 3000 series stopped years ago (I spoke to SME about this, before the company was bought out), and someone who recently acquired a 3009-R and asked SME to sell him some replacement parts for the arm, had his request declined.
I don't know if SME will conlinue to support the M2-9R and M2-12R arms: it's possible if they were to sell them with their remanufactured Garrard 301, as the two would be an aesthetic match.
prestonchipfryer
29-06-2020, 21:54
They still offer parts and servicing.
They still offer parts and servicing.
For all of their arm designs?
Vrajbasi
30-06-2020, 09:18
Sme do not have parts for the original arms and the 3012r, 3009r 3010r but will service and provide parts for the modern tonearms inc M series for now and M-R series.
Sme do not have parts for the original arms and the 3012r, 3009r 3010r but will service and provide parts for the modern tonearms inc M series for now and M-R series.
Well that's reassuring - but we will see how long it lasts.
Vrajbasi
30-06-2020, 09:34
With the unusual decisions the new owner seems to make no one can be sure of any thing, I suspect they will hike the prices of servicing but continue with most arm servicing series v etc for a long time, as parts are being produced for current production. I could also imagine them stopping servicing of the M series and m9r possibly at some point, as these are not offered on any of there turntables hence no reason to continue making parts.
I think a current service of a series v 309 series iv etc starts at £750 ish.
I recently asked for a price to service my 30/12 turntable they suggested £2500 as a starting point not cheap this was plus any additional parts.
chris@panteg
30-06-2020, 10:07
My SME V has been fettled by Johnny and has the Kondo silver wire and is without a doubt the best arm I've ever owned or used.
It sounds dynamic, big and bold, wonderfully open with stunning bass.
Just recently bought a Hana SL cartridge and am very happy with this, marvellous.
Jac Hawk
30-06-2020, 10:25
I've recently heard from a reputable source that SME may in fact be in some difficulty due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the fear is the company may not survive!!
Vrajbasi
30-06-2020, 11:21
I heard that sme have got rid of some of the workforce and downscaled operations as they are not doing any other engineering work any more.
Vrajbasi
05-07-2020, 07:21
I heard the top SAT arm yesterday it sounded breathtaking the scale and power was breathtaking at 50k it should be good. On the other hand many overpriced bits of hifi do not deliver the goods.
prestonchipfryer
05-07-2020, 07:36
I heard it through the grapevine :eyebrows:
martinjohn308
05-07-2020, 09:46
Since I got into Hi-Fi back in 1978 when I bought the Linn LP 12 I’ve had several arms and cartridges.
Tonearms. Cartridges
SME 3009 / 2. Shure V15 / 111
Hadcock. London Decca Gold
Grace 707 Supex 900E
Ittok LV11 ( 3 of ). Asak, Asak T, Karma ( 3 of ), Dynavector DV20L
Aro Dynavector DV20L, Micro Benz Wood SL, Kiseki Blue NS
I was fortunate enough to a buy one of the last Aro’s In 2003 or 4. At that time I had the Ittok / DV20L the move over to the Aro was definitely a step up. The Aro for me is the tone arm for my turntable system but all depends what cartridge you have compliance is everything.
Regards,
Martin
I heard the top SAT arm yesterday it sounded breathtaking the scale and power was breathtaking at 50k it should be good. On the other hand many overpriced bits of hifi do not deliver the goods.
What is the SAT arm and what cartridge was being used?
:worthless:
chris@panteg
05-07-2020, 12:56
Michael Fremer uses a SAT arm, the best he's heard, a snip at £30,000 though he got a discount.
It looks very well made, Fremer describes it's performance as impossible? Whatever that means.
Is this the arm? SAT - Swedish Analogue Technologies:
https://www.audiosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/6fc8cbd0d9-DSC_0140-950x545@2x.jpg
Looks very well engineered - up to SME standard. The price is of course absurd.
Vrajbasi
05-07-2020, 15:11
The Version I heard is a update on the one you pictured that's the original sat I owned one briefly quite a bit of kit. The Cartridge was an Etsuro Master Gold 22k on a techies airforce one premium.
Vrajbasi
05-07-2020, 15:14
Michael Fremer uses a SAT arm, the best he's heard, a snip at £30,000 though he got a discount.
It looks very well made, Fremer describes it's performance as impossible? Whatever that means.
I owned the original SAT the same arm Fremer owns on the same turntable the continuum caliburn, the primary control field coil arm pips it in my opinion. The arm I refer to is the cf1 at over 50k.
mean while in the real world.
hmm well my current arm beat the best of the 80's british offerings by a country mile. mission 774,alphason hr100,zeta etc. it destroyed the lot.
audio technica's top tonearm taken to another league with the mods phonomac has done.
https://i.postimg.cc/gkQX1GdK/IMG-2744.jpg
I owned the original SAT the same arm Fremer owns on the same turntable the continuum caliburn, the primary control field coil arm pips it in my opinion. The arm I refer to is the cf1 at over 50k.
Once again Nari you blithely refer to arms that most of us have not heard of, yet fail to show any images.
Is this the arm you refer to?
https://secureservercdn.net/160.153.137.40/d54.91a.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FCL-Side-View-9c0d448-1200x576.jpg
At least the price of this arm is a lot more reasonable.
Vrajbasi
05-07-2020, 18:20
Once again Nari you blithely refer to arms that most of us have not heard of, yet fail to show any images.
Is this the arm you refer to?
https://secureservercdn.net/160.153.137.40/d54.91a.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/FCL-Side-View-9c0d448-1200x576.jpg
At least the price of this arm is a lot more reasonable.
Yes this the one its 27k in the uk still a crazy sum of money for a tonearm but delivers the goods for sure. I am delighted with it makes music to my ears.
mean while in the real world.
hmm well my current arm beat the best of the 80's british offerings by a country mile. mission 774,alphason hr100,zeta etc. it destroyed the lot.
audio technica's top tonearm taken to another league with the mods phonomac has done.
My Phonomac fettled Audio Techica 1010 is the best arm I've owned. It easily bettered the linn arms I've had previously.
chris@panteg
05-07-2020, 19:49
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/how-does-28000-sat-pick-arm-sound
Vrajbasi
05-07-2020, 19:57
https://www.analogplanet.com/content/how-does-28000-sat-pick-arm-sound
I bought one on th strength of this review sadly did not do it for me, it was a big sound for sure huge in fact but rather overblown and a bit aggresive. The latest SAT seems to be much better.
My head (as a kid at 16 and saw the ads in the magazines) always said an SME V...
Had one, loved it...and as an Adult sold it.
Best I've heard by a Continent mile is Rega's new flagship.
Interestingly...the Engineering is "at least" as good as the V...it's actually better.
Every part is held together by tolerances, nothing more.
As a Mechanical Engineer and Vinyl guy I can say hand on heart that's quite the thing.
chris@panteg
05-07-2020, 23:03
The only arms I would consider swapping my V for would be either the Audionote arm 3 or the Fidelity Research FR64S.
For the simple reason is synergy with my Voyd, same with any arm/deck combination.
Totally.
Synergy synergy synergy.
In the conext of an all Rega system the Engineering makes sense.
Been where you are my friend (and remember your Handle from WAY back in the Day)...the Hobby (to me) is about picking your point of Happiness and enjoying the Music....
Never hear a top whack Mac with a Goldmund Reference...
Happily, we don't need to!
Vrajbasi
06-07-2020, 13:47
The only arms I would consider swapping my V for would be either the Audionote arm 3 or the Fidelity Research FR64S.
For the simple reason is synergy with my Voyd, same with any arm/deck combination.
I know its not always most fashionable arm out there but I would stick with the sme V over the audio note and Fidelity Research Fr64s.
chris@panteg
06-07-2020, 19:23
[QUOTE=Vrajbasi;1203265]I know its not always most fashionable arm out there but I would stick with the sme V over the audio note and Fidelity Research Fr64s.[/QUOT
At the moment I'm happy with it and it's so easy to set up a cartridge, plus it sounds great, I'd have to hear a difference before changing it.
Vrajbasi
07-07-2020, 04:21
[QUOTE=Vrajbasi;1203265]I know its not always most fashionable arm out there but I would stick with the sme V over the audio note and Fidelity Research Fr64s.[/QUOT
At the moment I'm happy with it and it's so easy to set up a cartridge, plus it sounds great, I'd have to hear a difference before changing it.
A good friend of mine who runs a Voyd Reference has just changed his series V for the graham phantom elite 9" we compared arms the phantom elite was a staggering improvement on Reference the synergy was quite some thing. The price is quite something too compared to a series V at 12k ish I suspect the latest phantom 3 at half the price could be a good option having heard it on other turntables.
If there is such a thing as synergy why do we strive to isolate the tonearm from motor noise and plinth resonance ?
chris@panteg
07-07-2020, 09:37
If there is such a thing as synergy why do we strive to isolate the tonearm from motor noise and plinth resonance ?
My understanding is that the Arm should be coupled directly to the armboard/subchassis in the case of the Voyd anyway.
I had a Kuzma Stogi on a Townshend Rock for over 30 years, I’d had a Helios, Ittok, RB300 previously and it beat all of them, £350 back in 1987 and a stone cold bargain, built like a tank.
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I had a Kuzma Stogi on a Townshend Rock for over 30 years, I’d had a Helios, Ittok, RB300 previously and it beat all of them, £350 back in 1987 and a stone cold bargain, built like a tank.
Doesn't surprise me in the least, the Kuzma Stogi is an excellent, and IMO, an under-rated arm. As you say "built like a tank", and looks it!
https://www.kuzma.si/modules/uploader/uploads/s_product/pictures/3.1.2.01.-stogi.jpg
Vrajbasi
10-07-2020, 22:38
Doesn't surprise me in the least, the Kuzma Stogi is an excellent, and IMO, an under-rated arm. As you say "built like a tank", and looks it!
https://www.kuzma.si/modules/uploader/uploads/s_product/pictures/3.1.2.01.-stogi.jpg
I agree all Kuzma arms are wonderful owned a Kuzma Stogi ref and various four points and a Airline a wonderful arm indeed.
chris@panteg
11-07-2020, 08:45
I still have the hifi choice review from 1991 of the Kuzma and the Stabi turntable, highly recommended.
I must say I'm quite taken by the Project signature 10 inch arm, very competitive price at £1750 and looks gorgeous in the chrome finish.
Yes, with both Jelco and SME leaving the tonearm market, there's a big hole to fill ... who know, maybe Pro-Ject will step up?
To answer the original question, probably the 'best sounding' arms I've heard are linear trackers ... or rather not heard, as they don't 'sound' of anything much, afaict. Difficult to do properly and usually costly and fiddly, but the very best can really show the true capability of the top decks.
Vrajbasi
13-07-2020, 07:26
The Reed 5T Tangential is one amazing sounding arm heard one recently and compared to many silly priced arms offers a lot as it is quite innovative certainly an interesting bit of kit. I have to agree the best arms I have heard tend to be Linear trackers they seem to disappear leaving hardly any character of there own. Generally take a lot more getting used to and don't often come cheap and need care and attention in set up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44HMDmE5aZg
loheswaran
13-07-2020, 21:42
Money no object - the Derenville active linear tracker -
Money no object - the Derenville active linear tracker
Given the superb precision machining involved, it probably justifies the €30,000 price tag - and it is a true linear tracking tone arm, unlike the Reed. Also, unlike many linear tracking arms, with the Derenville the arm wand is sufficiently long to cope with warp-wow.
I would love to hear one.
loheswaran
14-07-2020, 19:39
Given the superb precision machining involved, it probably justifies the €30,000 price tag - and it is a true linear tracking tone arm, unlike the Reed. Also, unlike many linear tracking arms, with the Derenville the arm wand is sufficiently long to cope with warp-wow.
I would love to hear one.
I agree. The active tracking helps prevent the disparity with vertival and horizontal compliance. The cabling is sourced from the medical industry. I think the manufacturer flies out and fits it for you too. Sorry but I think the SAT and the expensive Vertere are still pivoted arms and will be compromised by the various Bearwald v Lofgren arguments ad infinitum...
I suppose it could be argued that anyone who can afford such an arm would only play records that are absolutely flat, so not have any need to worry about warp-wow and 'scrub flutter'. But most of us live in the real world, where records are not always in pristine condition, become warped and sometimes have off-centre holes.
The Reed arm is a pivoted arm, despite the clever active variation of the effective arm length, so whilst the tracking error variation across the record playing surface may be very much lower than that for a conventional pivoted arm, it will not be zero everywhere. Also there appear to be too many bearings and linkages in the design for me to have much conviction of the arm's rigidity and lack of structural resonances.
Ammonite Audio
15-07-2020, 07:39
The Reed 5T is of course, at its heart, a conventional pivoted arm but the laser/servo controlled base does not simply rotate, but actually moves fore/aft to follow a precise arc; and that does really mean that it behaves (at the stylus point) exactly like a linear tracker and you should watch some videos to see that in action. The elegance of this system is that the arm itself handles just like any other conventional design, but unlike most linear trackers the effective mass is the same in both horizontal and vertical planes. On top of that, there is no risk of abnormally high sideways loads on the stylus/cantilever which is most certainly a risk with most linear tracking designs where simple gravity can play havoc with air bearing sleds wishing to go 'downhill', or getting stuck on dust etc. Audiophiles love the concept of linear tracking arms, in the belief that eliminating tracing errors will magically result in the best sound reproduction, but I've yet to hear a linear tracker that met this expectation - indeed most seem to be mediocre/average sounding at best, and pretty awful in ergonomic terms. Yes, there will of course be exceptions. The world's best tonearm designers accept the compromise of some tracing errors, because in the round there are far more important aspects of good tonearm design than that.
I nominate the Glanz MH-124S as the best sounding tonearm. Certainly the best that I have ever heard and with build quality that betrays its maker's other life as a Japanese swordsmith.
I suppose it could be argued that anyone who can afford such an arm would only play records that are absolutely flat, so not have any need to worry about warp-wow and 'scrub flutter'. But most of us live in the real world, where records are not always in pristine condition, become warped and sometimes have off-centre holes.
The Reed arm is a pivoted arm, despite the clever active variation of the effective arm length, so whilst the tracking error variation across the record playing surface may be very much lower than that for a conventional pivoted arm, it will not be zero everywhere. Also there appear to be too many bearings and linkages in the design for me to have much conviction of the arm's rigidity and lack of structural resonances.
I'm inclined to agree - linear tracking arms are not the panacea they are claimed to be.
Unless the arm is driven by say a lead screw (with a sensor to adjust for sled advancement or delay relative to the groove), the arm has to be pushed by the record groove and stylus and cantilever of the cartridge. Despite what some say, I cannot believe that does not produce asymmetric wear of the stylus. Also if the arm is moved by the record groove, there will be considerable torque placed on the linear bearing of the arm. That is why most linear trackers have short arm wands, which means they do not handle record warp well.
But that said, the 'cost no object', state of the art Derenville arm does command respect and would appear to have overcome most of the problems of linear tracking arms. Whereas, despite the obvious ingenuity, the Reed 5T looks to be unnecessarily complicated with multiple bearings, that causes me to suspect the structural rigidity and lack of flexing resonances. I would however be interested in hearing both arms.
For me "the less is more": a simple pivoted tone arm with good low friction and stiction-free bearings is all I require. Tracking error second harmonic distortion need not be more than ~0.5% with a well designed arm. This is one of the least distortion artefacts of record reproduction, compared with those caused by tracing ('pinch') distortion and distortion of the cartridge itself.
Vrajbasi
15-07-2020, 15:38
Two of the best arms I have ever heard are the Airtangent reference which was 14000 in 1992 so crazy money this was a complex thing with remote VTA, the other the arm that came with the Rockport system 111. Both arms were made for short periods due to cost of production but show that linear tracers are special beasts. I like the reed 5t after hearing it againt the top glanz and even the twice as expensive sat. I would need to spend more time with it at home to give a definitive answer, but I could hear its was a special arm indeed.
Probably the best I owned was Bill Firebaugh's Well Tempered tonearm on so many levels but love the one your with for convenience at least - SME 3009 MK1:
My friend has a SME V on a blazed up Orbe and another a SME Model 20... Both are still shocked at what the MK1 can achieve...
https://i.postimg.cc/sx4LZyzq/IMG-6626.jpg
Derainer
02-03-2021, 19:47
Given the superb precision machining involved, it probably justifies the €30,000 price tag - and it is a true linear tracking tone arm, unlike the Reed. Also, unlike many linear tracking arms, with the Derenville the arm wand is sufficiently long to cope with warp-wow.
I would love to hear one.
Barry,
I don't know where you live - but if you want to listen to our linear tracker - I very kindly invite you to visit me in Lippstadt (Germany).
Bring your favourite LPs and lots of time. I will take care of food and drinks.
Best Rainer
MindRise
03-03-2021, 23:22
My experience so far is with two modified Rega arms, one of them is an early Audiomods. I have no complaints but I know there are better arms.
Reed, Thales and KLaudio have tonearms that intirgue me and would love to try but I can't afford any of them. I may be wrong but I believe most if not all videos I have watched with these arms were with high mass decks. My only worry about synergy would be that, some arms are not ideal for suspended decks. As far as everything else you should be able to put any arm in any table if the table's size allows it.
BTW...several 70's Japanese tables came with impressive arms that have stood the test of time.
My experience so far is with two modified Rega arms, one of them is an early Audiomods. I have no complaints but I know there are better arms.
Well said :)
I started to listen to kit and not the music- it’s been quite difficult to get out of that mindset
The Thales arms have interested me also - I saw one for sale, almost went for it:scratch:
http://https://www.tonarm.ch/en/products/thales-easy (http://www.tonarm.ch/en/products/thales-easy)
anubisgrau
07-03-2021, 18:08
Anyone heard Supreme Analog Tangenta?
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luMU94lYmXg/XM1TRWjHSqI/AAAAAAADN1A/54fU2lFp4qQSkj1FQ761XbhbvojnOpkUACK4BGAYYCw/s640/SA5-2.jpg
Malky1422
25-05-2021, 08:12
To me Hi Fi is interesting a any price point. I have Acoustic Signature TA5000 with Soundsmith Sussurro and its the best I have heard, but after around 5 or 6 Grande for me they can keep them I would rather buy a nice motorbike. The old Jelcos at a few hundred quid I believe are awesome for the price and they are well made in Japan. It is a crying shame that the China Virus finished them off. I don't believe there is a "Best Sound", its subjective and there are far too many combination possibilities. If it sounds good ...then it is.
paulf-2007
26-05-2021, 17:32
Anyone heard Supreme Analog Tangenta?
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luMU94lYmXg/XM1TRWjHSqI/AAAAAAADN1A/54fU2lFp4qQSkj1FQ761XbhbvojnOpkUACK4BGAYYCw/s640/SA5-2.jpg
Looks like a weapon of mass destruction gordan
audioblazer
06-07-2021, 15:28
SME 3012R . 1 of the best Performance to price ratio . Like it so much that I bought 2 in a month:lol:. In comparison to the pricey Axiom , I wouldn’t say it’s 5-10x better . That’s the price difference
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51294855199_200b632ba1_o_d.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51293393562_b362d95112_o_d.jpg
Must confess I love what Origin Live arms do, in the last 4 1/2 years I've moved up from an Encounter 3C to a Conqueror 3C, a BIG jump in SQ. Once my new 12" armboard arrives from Brinkmann in Germany, probably end of the month, I will be grabbing a 12" Enterprise Mk4. Mark Baker has offered me a VERY generous PX deal on the Conqueror, so much so I couldn't not upgrade. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210706/3f399f6c5e5358648af4ab8c0c6bcfa7.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210706/93450650878b8f95450a317654e171af.jpg
Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk
SME 3012R . 1 of the best Performance to price ratio . Like it so much that I bought 2 in a month:lol:.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51294855199_200b632ba1_o_d.jpg
The SME 3012R was the culmination of SME's knife edge bearing designs.
I have its fore-runner, the SME 3012/II, as well as the latest M2-12R. The M2-12R is, IMO, the superior arm.
audioblazer
08-07-2021, 08:31
Ok . TQ Maybe I should check out M2-12R. Quite fun playing ard with vintage stuff …since it’s much more affordable
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