Do I replace my tonearm

[wino2020]

The Spirit is an excellent cart and worth maximising. Plenty choice in arms. I presume that the Nima is a typical Rega fitment and geometry so having something with similar would minimise changeover issues.
Two others I would suggest are the Acoustic Signature TA series, which has magnificent engineering and multiple length options, and of course an Audio Origami. Second hand AO are not infrequent these days.

[AJSki2fly]

Anyone tried the Funkfirm fx3 or an SME V? I read somewhere that re-wiring a V with Better makes a big difference. Would an Audiomod arm be a set up?
Your input would be appreciated!

Chris, I have been looking at changing my TT and a Pink Triangle was in my list, during my investigations I came across several comments on various forums that and SME V did not work as well with a Pink Triangle as a IV. I suspect this may be due to the tone difference between the two arms. I currently have an SME IV which I find very good on my Gyrodec but I am aware that SME arms can have a reputation for having a slightly dry tone, this should be countered for I believe with a PT as they have a reputation for an extremely good mid-range. I have been told that a Koetsu RED works very well with an SME IV on a Pink Triangle but have not heard it.

I also came across an Acoustic Research TA-1000 arm in use on a different TT see - https://www.audioemotion.co.uk/acous...arm-4311-p.asp, I don't think we see them much in the UK. Two respected dealers with great knowledge recommended this arm to me, both indicating it gives a very musical and neutral rendition, and it punches well above its RRP. One dealer said that in his opinion this was the better arm in their range, it just works, so he was saying not to spend money on a more expensive one as they could be a bit clinical.

If you considered the TA-1000 then I would try and get a loaner if at all possible or take your PT and cartridge to a dealer to set it up and try. Bear in mind that the TA-1000 is a lighter arm and you would need to consider its compatibility with your cartridge, although if you could consider another cartridge with the money saved, possibly a Benz Micro Wood SL or Ruby Z or Ebony S, these are very musical cartridges IMO. See the review it has and effective mass of 12gm and weighs in at 895gm, slightly lighter than a SME IV at 1100gm, but it should work.

From my what I have been told about Pink Triangles is that they do not necessarily produce real punchy bass, that does not mean they do not produce bass just not big bass. With this in mind than a cartridge/arm combo good across the frequency range will be important.

I hope this is useful or helps a bit.

[wino2020]

I bought my TA1000 from Audio Emotion and I would agree it is a superb arm. They do give very good advice too so could certainly comment on suitability for a PT. I now have an AO 12” which is essentially twice the price and is thankfully a bit better! So I can also vouch VFM of the TA1000.

[guero]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps- Adrian your post was very comprehensive and has given me something to think about. I will do some research and try for a demo with my deck if it looks a good fit. I'd like to see what I can get out of the PT and the transfiguration. I have heard that the deck doesn't do huge bass, that said I don't feel I'm missing anything. I am mindful of the need to match carefully so a demo is clearly the way forward.

[guero]

Yes, the phonoMac is very interesting and I will look into whether it would be a good combo with a PT. I seem to see them on decks without suspension more often than not.

[guero]

Yes, the Nima is Rega geometry- I have a company called true point down the road who make arm boards for Pink Triangles. In fact they seem to specialize in them! I will have a look at the arms you have mentioned. Cheers

[montesquieu]

The Audionote arms are Rega geometry and absolutely superb. I used one to great effect on a Voyd with an Audio Note Io, and before that with Shelter 501, Ortofon Jubilee and Koetsu Rosewood. (You can get a heavier counterweight for heavier cartridges so you aren't restricted to high-medium compliance ones like you are with a lot of Rega variants.

The standard arm with copper arm cable is pretty reasonable too, the sweet spot from my perspective is the Arm2 which has silver internal wiring and an Audio Note AN-V silver litz arm cable that would cost more than half the value of the arm if you bought it separately.

If I didn't need removable headshell arms I'd happily have one of these again. Available in silver or black.

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[Audio Al]

Am currently using an Origin Live Encounter 3C on My Brinkmann Bardo. Its a stonkingly good arm and not silly money new for what it's capable of. No azimuth adjustment, but does have on the fly VTA adjustment.

+1

[richmain]

Origin live arms beats any others i have ever had regardless of price.The Encounter is a good place to start,sold my S.M.E. V for one of these and have worked up to the Enterprise (12 inch).

[montesquieu]

Another arm worth thinking about, more expensive than the bargain-priced AudioNote arms but worth a look is the Timestep 609, I had the 12in version of this and would probably still have it if an Ikeda IT-407 hadn't come along. Available in 9, 10 and 12in and with the (for me) all important removable headshell.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product/timestep-tonearm/



As for the Origin Live stuff I'm really not a fan of Rega-derived tonearms they do tend to restrict you somewhat to high-medium compliance cartridges when the real interest these days is in medium-low compliance.

In between the Audio Note Arm1 and the Timestep is the new Jelco range too, knife-edge bearing and all, I heard the TK-850 on Petrat's Platine Verdier and I thought it was a really excellent performer.

https://ammonite-audio.co.uk/product...50s-9-tonearm/