Which tonearm?

[alcarmichael]

After all you have heard and learned over the years, if you had to start again or choose one tonearm to live with, which one would it be and why?

[Boyse6748]

After all you have heard and learned over the years, if you had to start again or choose one tonearm to live with, which one would it be and why?

Dynavector 507 Mk2, wish I had found it sooner.

Tried most other arms over a lifetime….. nothing else compares.


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[alcarmichael]

I have a feeling I tried to buy yours from you some time ago…?

[Barry]

In my time, I've heard the following tonearms in my own system:

SME 3009/II S2
SME 3009/II (improved) fixed headshell
SME 3009/II (improved) detachable headshell
SME 3012/II S2
SME M2-12R with heavier S2R headshell

Audio Design (later know as Keith Monks) M9BA mercury contact pick-up arm

Breuer Dynamic 5A

Brinkmann 10.5

Decca International

EMT 929 (mounted on an 930 turntable)

Grace G707 (mounted on a Linn LP12 turntable)

Infinity Black Widow

Ortofon 309 (Ikeda modified).

In all cases, unless stated, the arm's were mounted on Thorens TD124/II turntables and used with a variety of cartridges, both fixed coil and moving coil.

For fixed headshell arms I would choose the Brinkmann 10.5, since Breuer arms are no longer available.

The Infinity Black Widow has an exceptionally low effective mass of 3g, so is only suitable for use with high compliance cartridges, such as the ADC25, 26 and 10E.

This leaves the 12" arms. Of these I would probably choose the the SME M2-12R as being the more versatile, though the Ikeda modified Ortofon 309 is optimum with the Ikeda 'cantilever-less' fixed-coil cartridge.

Unfortunately, with the possible exception of the Brinkmann arms, none of the above are made now, so if I wanted to buy a new arm I would consider the Glanz arms.

Another option would be to buy an arm which has been 'fettled' by a tonearm enthusiast: such as the Phonomac modified Audio Technica 1010 arm.

[mbic]

SME tonearms IV & V. Ease of set up, particularly alignment using the sliding base, no twisting and pulling of the cartridge, and of course sound quality.

[Barry]

I was going to suggest either SME V or IV arm, but didn't as you would have to find a used sample because SME no longer sell the arms alone.

Also there is a rumour going around that since SME changed the US supplier of the arm casting, the arms now display considerable variation in quality.

[alcarmichael]

I have had a 309 and a V before. I loved everything about them. I would consider another...

[Beobloke]

SME V

I’ve yet to hear anything beat it.

[Boyse6748]

Perhaps you need to read post #2 then.

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[Barry]

Perhaps you need to read post #2 then.

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Did you compare your DV 507 Mk 2 with an SME V?