Tonearm upgrades

[Nicks951]

Just idly wondering where I would go next with tonearm on my Focus One, if anywhere.
Currently a Linn Basik Plus with K9. So the plinth is drilled out for Linn.
At the moment it goes via a Pro-ject Phono Box MM into my Sonos AMP (the new one).
I’d like to run it through my Arcam AVR380 and Rega ELAs, but have to find a suitable space.

So it begs the question of whether the deck would improve noticeably with a somewhat better arm and if so, given the Linn mount limitation, which ones. Probably wouldn’t get away with much over £300-400.
Higher end Linns cost too much. Wondered about Missions or lower end Michells.
The obvious Rega/SME mount choices would need new holes and I’m not sure if that’s possible with a Linn hole already there.
Any thoughts?

Cheers
Nick

[Lurch]

For Linn geometry you could have a look at 9" Pro-Ject Arms, not 100% sure but one of the newer carbon arms could well be an upgrade.
Another area to seriously consider is your cart, as whilst the k9 is okay, there are far better out there for your Budget from AT, Ortofon & Goldring.

[Nicks951]

Thanks! The cart is a good thought and may well be a better way to allocate funds. Incidentally, I do also have a Linn Trak with not many miles on it. But I believe the LV Plus is not so good with MCs. Plus I’d need an MC phono amp. Although I could use the preamp section of my old Arcam Delta 290. Hmmmm…

[willbewill]

Another area to seriously consider is your cart, as whilst the k9 is okay, there are far better out there for your Budget from AT, Ortofon & Goldring.

Agree, I'd look to a cartridge upgrade first

[walpurgis]

The higher mass Linn LV-V arm is an economic drop-in substitution and has the ability to handle lower compliance MC cartridges. A Denon DL-110 high output MC will suit the LV-V and be a significant improvement over the K9 and it will work into an MM phono stage.

[Nicks951]

Ahh. Interestingly I “upgraded” from LV-V to LV Plus. The LV-V might still be in the loft. I had assumed the Plus to be a good, if not large, step up!

[walpurgis]

Ahh. Interestingly I “upgraded” from LV-V to LV Plus. The LV-V might still be in the loft. I had assumed the Plus to be a good, if not large, step up!

It may have been with high compliance carts, but the majority of MC's are lowish compliance and like a bit of mass.

The LV-V can be improved with a more rigid cast headshell rather than the standard item.

[Nicks951]

That’s a thought. Do you happen to know where one might find such a thing? I’ve had a pretty good look and couldn’t see anything ��

[walpurgis]

That’s a thought. Do you happen to know where one might find such a thing? I’ve had a pretty good look and couldn’t see anything ��

Cast alloy headshells are easy enough to find. I've actually got a few new spare ones, KAM branded and perfectly decent quality if you need one.

[Nicks951]

Thanks! I see. I was being too specific with my searches. I can see quite a few now. How much are yours?
I also see titanium ones, is that a good thing?

[walpurgis]

Thanks! I see. I was being too specific with my searches. I can see quite a few now. How much are yours?
I also see titanium ones, is that a good thing?

Ignore the titanium ones, it's just 'titanium look' paint finish on alloy that you pay premium for, there's no advantage. You can have one of my silver cast alloy ones for a fiver.

[Lurch]

There's a nice low hours high output (ideal for mm input) Hana SH just gone up on the wam, damn good price for an excellent cart.
https://www.hifiwigwam.com/forum/topic/154560-fs-hana-sh-high-output-mc-cartridge/

[Beobloke]

Sounds like you need an Alphason!

All are Linn-mount and even the Opal will wipe the floor with a Linn Basik Plus IMHO! Buy the best model you can afford and enjoy it.

[Nicks951]

Ignore the titanium ones, it's just 'titanium look' paint finish on alloy that you pay premium for, there's no advantage. You can have one of my silver cast alloy ones for a fiver.

I had a feeling that might be the case with those. I’m going to venture into the loft sometime soon to see if I can find the old LV-V. If I do I’ll get back to you on the headshell.
Thanks for the advice!

[I.D.S.]

Hi Nick,i've a very nice Techno arm here looking for a new owner and i see your just over the boarder in 'ampshire. Ian.

[Nicks951]

Hi Ian,
Sorry I missed your reply to this thread!
Which Techno and how much? If it’s still with you of course.
Do they fit into a Linn sized hole? I know some of them are based on Regas aren’t they ?
Cheers
Nick