Ammonite Acoustics News

[Berni217]

Hugo,

What are the differences between the Mk1 and the Mk2 version of the collar. I believe I have your Mk1 version. Can I use the "new" spacer with it?

Thanks,
Bernard

[Ammonite Audio]

Hi Bernard

The new spacer can be used with the old collar, but there will be a visible 'step' around the periphery since the new collars and spacers are slightly smaller in radius, by 1mm. That little design change was done to eliminate any compatibility issues with certain armboards, eg the Sound Supports one for the Technics SL-1200/1210; also it means that the spacer can also be used with the original Jelco collar.

That aside, the main change in the Mk2 collar is the sharp side-cutout in the pillar hole, which provides two sharply defined vertical knife-edges against which the arm pillar is held gently but totally securely, without having to tighten the grub screw by any more than a slight 'nip'. In other words, there is now no possibility at all of any vertical rocking of the arm pillar in the collar - if the platter and armboard are level and true to each other, then the arm pillar will be correctly vertical to that level plane. The grub screw is also now nylon-tipped, replacing the separate screw and small nylon stub that I used to supply - this change was done simply for users' convenience and ease of use, even though the screw itself is actually rather expensive.

If you are considering a new collar with a spacer, give me a shout and I can do you a better deal, as an existing customer.

[Berni217]

Hi Bernard

The new spacer can be used with the old collar, but there will be a visible 'step' around the periphery since the new collars and spacers are slightly smaller in radius, by 1mm. That little design change was done to eliminate any compatibility issues with certain armboards, eg the Sound Supports one for the Technics SL-1200/1210; also it means that the spacer can also be used with the original Jelco collar.

That aside, the main change in the Mk2 collar is the sharp side-cutout in the pillar hole, which provides two sharply defined vertical knife-edges against which the arm pillar is held gently but totally securely, without having to tighten the grub screw by any more than a slight 'nip'. In other words, there is now no possibility at all of any vertical rocking of the arm pillar in the collar - if the platter and armboard are level and true to each other, then the arm pillar will be correctly vertical to that level plane. The grub screw is also now nylon-tipped, replacing the separate screw and small nylon stub that I used to supply - this change was done simply for users' convenience and ease of use, even though the screw itself is actually rather expensive.

If you are considering a new collar with a spacer, give me a shout and I can do you a better deal, as an existing customer.

PM sent.

[Ammonite Audio]

Special Offer until 31 December 2014

Ammonite Audio's improved Jelco tonearm collars and spacers are discounted by 20% until the end of the year. Spacer and collar bundles are subject to an additional 5% discount.

So, treat yourselves for Christmas and head for the shop now!

[Ammonite Audio]

Here is my old Ittok, fitted with a one-piece custom CNC machined alloy armtube, on the venerable TD-124. The theory behind this project was to eliminate the three different materials in the clanky old Ittok's armtube, eg headshell, tinny tube and end-stub, and replace those with a single piece of acoustically homogenous material. There are a couple of little wrinkles to iron out, but it does sound rather glorious - meaty yet refined, with a far-reaching bass quality that the old Ittok never seemed to manage.

I'd love to pitch it against an Ekos SE! If others agree with me that it's a good product, it may go into limited production, as a cheap way of resurrecting a knackered Ittok, or turning one into a new top-flight tonearm at a sensible price. The Ittok has its flaws, but it has to be one of the easiest arms in the world to handle and use, so in my view it's worthy of an upgrade like this.

[Canetoad]

That's rather nice Hugo! What sort of cost would be involved if you went into limited production?

[Ammonite Audio]

That really depends on how much more it costs me to develop (prototype CAD work and CNC engineering is expensive), but hopefully sensibly priced and "affordable"

[YNWaN]

That is a really lovely bit of machining!

[Andrei]

Ammonite Audio's improved Jelco tonearm collars and spacers are discounted by 20% until the end of the year. Spacer and collar bundles are subject to an additional 5% discount.

So, treat yourselves for Christmas and head for the shop now!

Do you recommend the spacer on the Technics SL1200?

[struth]

top work Hugo. sure it would be a success