Mission 774 on a Techy

[worrasf]

Just putting the finishing touches to installing a Mission 774 on my SL-1210.
Not the most straightforward of mods I've done . I chose an acrylic SME armboard from The Vinyl Source rather than a metal or ebony one and I'm glad I did. The armboard required a fair bit of judicious trimming to enable the Mission base plate to be mounted correctly. The arm pillar sits quite low down in the armboard which results in the bias arm riding a little high while resting on the deck top plate. I'm expecting this to reduce the bias force a little on the outer tracks but it kicks in as the arm traverses a little distance so I doubt it will be a problem in use.
I used an arm rest/clip off a Pioneer PL12D which fits a treat.
The arm balances nicely and alignment was pretty straightforward using a Goldring 2500.
I've not got around to connecting it up yet but I think it looks pretty neat.
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[walpurgis]

Very neat! :)

[worrasf]

Thanks Geoff

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[chartz]

Hi,
Well done that.
That Mission tonearm is not common to see this side of the Channel.
It looks a bit Heath-Robinson to me !
I also modified my 1200 but I used the ubiquitous RB300, nothing to be proud of :rolleyes:

[walpurgis]

That Mission tonearm is not common to see this side of the Channel.
It looks a bit Heath-Robinson to me !

Maybe, but that's part of its charm in my book. You'd have a shock if you compared it to the Rega. I know, as I've used both on a Techie. The sound really opens up with the 774.

[chartz]

Now, has anybody one for sale then?:whistle:
Will it take a DL103 as happily as a Mayware?

[walpurgis]

The 774 will work with virtually any cartridge, high compliance or low compliance. Just vary the fluid damping accordingly. Very high compliance carts are unlikely to really need damping, but I did use it with ADC's. I have used a DL-103 (and DL-301) successfully in one.

[worrasf]

I have now had a chance to listen to the Mission 774 in my main setup and it is sounding superb. It is night and day better than the Jelco TK850s/Jelco HS-30 I was using in this TT before with the same Goldring 2500. Soundstage is wider but instruments are better focussed with more "space" around. Percussion/bass is more tuneful and deeper. Cymbals/Sitar are "zingier" with more energy. All together far more musical.
I am waiting for J7 to send me back a rewired 774 wand and then I'll try the Decca Supergold in this TT. It's already sounding very good in the 774 I've just installed on a TD150.

[walpurgis]

I suspect it will be a proper battle between the TD150 and the Techie. Both decks are very capable, but I'd not be surprised if the TD150 takes the honours :).

The Thorens is still not appreciated properly. Glad I got myself a good one before everybody catches on and prices rocket. (got a couple of spare armboards too, including an SME fit one)

[chartz]

The Thorens is the template. The others copied it.
But a belt drive will never be speed-stable enough. The DD wins.
The Technics is the template here.
I don’t care much for anything else than stage depth: you know, the 3D experience.
Width is unimportant to me. Dynamics don’t matter much either.
Does it do 3D?

[walpurgis]

The TD150 has considerable peripheral platter weight, giving excellent flywheel effect. Speed stability is not a problem.

[worrasf]

I've now got an original Mission 773 high output MC (the silver plated one) installed in the 774. I sent it to Dominic Harper at Northwest Analogue for a checkup who pronounced it all good.
I'm running it into a Rothwell MC1-H SUT/Simplex MM phono stage combo.
To say I'm pleased is an understatement. Incredibly dynamic and musical. Huge bass and clear extended highs without being hard or brittle. Seems particularly suited to percussion (Ravi Shankar) Jazz and acoustic guitarhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201119/0b2ee3058756c2025017392b30d17384.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201119/3474b13ed94c4b4988f20c6de52fc4de.jpg

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[walpurgis]

Nice! :thumbsup:

[worrasf]

Nice! [emoji106]Thanks Geoff - it's good when things work out.
Dom is pretty sure the 773 is of Dynavector lineage.

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[Ali Tait]

Looks great. Will be moving this weekend, which means I can finally get my vinyl and decks out of storage after three years(!). Have a BTE Designs GL 75 with a Mission arm on it. Got it rewired by Jonnie years ago with Ikeda silver wire, made a real improvement to my ears.

Also have a twin tier slate plinth which I'll be fitting a NOS 401 into, once I strip it down to clean and lubricate. Recently bought a Terminator, so I'm looking forward to trying it out with the Garrard.

Hopefully my Modwright phono stage still works lol.

[worrasf]

Looks great. Will be moving this weekend, which means I can finally get my vinyl and decks out of storage after three years(!). Have a BTE Designs GL 75 with a Mission arm on it. Got it rewired by Jonnie years ago with Ikeda silver wire, made a real improvement to my ears.

Also have a twin tier slate plinth which I'll be fitting a NOS 401 into, once I strip it down to clean and lubricate. Recently bought a Terminator, so I'm looking forward to trying it out with the Garrard.

Hopefully my Modwright phono stage still works lol.Thanks. Sounds like you are going to be busy.
I think rewiring the 774 is very worthwhile - after all the original wire is over 30 years old. J7 rewired 1 of my 774's but I did the other 2 myself - really easy compared to the Technics arm. I've found that "dressing" the cable between the rear of the arm and the base plate is really important - if there is any stiffness or spring effect here it adds a biasing force. I particularly noticed it with the 773/774 combo where it took me ages to get it right. Wasn't so much of a problem with the 774/Paradoxpulse DL-103R as it is so much heavier (needed a custom heavy counterweight).

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[Ali Tait]

Yes, I'm using a Benz Gullwing SLR so have some coins taped to the CW to balance it out. :-)

I did get one of the 12" wands from ebay when they were available, not tried it though.

[worrasf]

Yes, I'm using a Benz Gullwing SLR so have some coins taped to the CW to balance it out. :-)

I did get one of the 12" wands from ebay when they were available, not tried it though.XAD (eBay store) do a few aftermarket mods for the 774 arm including a very nice heavy counterweight if you ever need to spend those coins LoL

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[Ali Tait]

Yes meant to get a CW, but then all my gear ended up in storage..

[Ali Tait]

Just had a look, don't think that shop is there anymore.

[Ali Tait]

Found it, it's xaudiodesign for those interested.

[worrasf]

Just had a look, don't think that shop is there anymore.Nope still there - bought from them last week.
Search for xaudiodesign within eBay

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[Ali Tait]

See my previous post. :-)

[Ali Tait]

Funny though, I searched Mission 774 and none of his stuff came up. Strange.

[MisterKevster]

....... I've found that "dressing" the cable between the rear of the arm and the base plate is really important - if there is any stiffness or spring effect here it adds a biasing force.

Any tips on doing this Steve? Can see how too short/long can both be problematic.

[worrasf]

Any tips on doing this Steve? Can see how too short/long can both be problematic.
I've found that 13cm from arm tube exit to furthest pin on the red connector block is ideal.

It helps to separate the 4 wires if they are braided between the red plug and the rear of the arm tube. The wires should run in a smooth arc above the bias weight arm. I tested the arrangement by disabling the bias mechanism (just slip the thread off the pulley) and playing a blank area of a vinyl test disc to ensure there was no latent bias force - moving the wires in different directions until it was totally passive. Trial and error.

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[MisterKevster]

Thanks Steve.....I know some folks choose to braid wires here.
Can see how that might contribute negatively in terms of unwanted lateral forces.

[worrasf]

Thanks Steve.....I know some folks choose to braid wires here.
Can see how that might contribute negatively in terms of unwanted lateral forces.No worries - Dominic Harper at Northwest Analogue gave me this sage advice so it's not just my amateurish idea [emoji848]

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