What/best arm for a Mitchell Orbe?

[sprint]

Looking to buy a Mitchell Orbe turntable.

Would like a SME V or IV but really both our outside my price range at the moment even with discounts.

Have look at 2nd hand but people are still asking well over £1K.

Which would be the best alternatives to look at, Mitchell Tecnoarm, SME 309..............?

Cartridge would be a Benz-Micro Wood

[griffo104]

I have a Michell Orbe SE with a Technoarm on it and it's a very good match. I've used the arm with a wide range of carts and all seem to fit pretty well.

I've also tried an SME 309 and although better than the Michell in several areas I didn't feel it justified the cost difference but SME are a very good match with Michell decks.

I've also heard a few OL arms as well on a friend's Orbe and I think he currently has the latest version of the Illustrious and it's also very good but maybe a little too pricey.

Pretty much any arm is a possibility as Michell can custom make armboards for you and they are an absolute doddle to change on the Orbe - even a cack handed muppet like myself finds it easy.

[sprint]

I have a Michell Orbe SE with a Technoarm on it and it's a very good match. I've used the arm with a wide range of carts and all seem to fit pretty well.

I've also tried an SME 309 and although better than the Michell in several areas I didn't feel it justified the cost difference but SME are a very good match with Michell decks.

I've also heard a few OL arms as well on a friend's Orbe and I think he currently has the latest version of the Illustrious and it's also very good but maybe a little too pricey.

Pretty much any arm is a possibility as Michell can custom make armboards for you and they are an absolute doddle to change on the Orbe - even a cack handed muppet like myself finds it easy.

Thanks for the reply and comments, which are very helpful.

Price is very much a limiting factor at the moment as I have the initial outlay on the deck so the OL Illustrious is also out.

[Wakefield Turntables]

+1 for the technoarm on your Orbe, indeed any rega from the 250 onwards would sound very very nice, try ortofon or audiotechnica cartridges. I have listened to an Orbe system with something similar at a local hi-fi dealer and it sounds excellent. The SME is better IMHO, you could always try a 309 or even a IV ?

[DSJR]

If cost is an issue, then get the technoarm (my mate hifi dave had one for dem last time I was there ). SME's do cost dearly, but they're such a pleasure to use and own and they also suit the Orbe so well. With the technoarm, just choose the cartridge carefully. An old mate has a Sumiko Blackbird in his and loves it.

[griffo104]

well I've had the following carts in my Technoarm:

Goldring Elite
Denon DL304
Denon DL301ii
Denon DL103
Lyra Dorian

All except the DL103 have been a good match. the Lyra being my favourite one but I currently have the DL301ii in there and it's a pretty fine job for not a lot of money.

I also think the Goldring MM carts are an excellent match for the Technoarm.

I've also heard the Sumiko Blackbird which is a very good cart, very easy flow and completely lacking in anything mechanical. A very good cart. I nearly bought one for my setup last year but then I had to spend the money on my other half's car

[sprint]

Thanks for all of your replies and comments so far, which are very helpful.

[Misnomer]

I would agree with getting a Tecnoarm. I've just added one to my Gyro and it has absolutely throttled my Audio Note Arm One, which is a modded RB250.

I'm running a Sumiko Blue Point Evo III on it and am very pleased! (previously using a DL160? and Audio Note modded Goldring 1042.

I think I was lucky in finding a good eBay deal from a fellow Canadian. Got the arm for £206 almost new.....he's the proud owner of a new-to-him Micro Seiki deck.

Jeff Z

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just to complicate things. Have you had a look at the latest Funk tonearm's, they seem to have completely rejigged the Rega tonearm again. The cost for the FXR 1000 I think is approaching something of a second hand V.

[DSJR]

How to shoot oneself in the foot - make a pretty sound mod and then charge the earth for it. At least George Hadcock made his own excellent (when working) tonearms from scratch - literally - and didn't rely on bodging someone elses efforts to suit his ideals......