SME V and Technics EPA-100

[pure sound]

If we're talking vfm the SP10 pictured above with double layer slate plinth & rebuilt Alphason arm came in at about £450. Now how much was the KAB1210 & Jelco combination again?

[Marco]

LOL. And which one is all brand new again?

Marco.

[pure sound]

like that matters!

[Marco]

'Course it does - most of the 'gubbins' inside those ol' SP10s are getting a bit stale!

Marco.

[Mike]

Well I can think of a reasonably well-paid physician, who used to post on forums a lot,

Someone beginning with 'B' maybe?

As for the 'badge' thing, is it not the case that these badges are 'earned' somewhere along the line? I tend to find that there's a reputation that goes along with them, generally for excellence in some field or other. Reputation's (good and bad) tend not to come out of nowhere.

Anyway, on to another matter....

Jelco 750 Vs Ittok

I saw an opinion offered in the magazine previously mentioned, where the writer suggested that the Jelco may not be as good as a Linn Ittok. Assuming, that is, the the Linn's bearings where 100% healthy!

Discuss...

(Tonearms are a hot topic for me ATM)

[Mike]

the SP10 pictured above with double layer slate plinth & rebuilt Alphason arm came in at about £450.

Jeez!

I'll give you £500!

[Spectral Morn]

I care not a jot about comprehensive manuals in English or any other language. They're unnecessary with something like a tonearm - it's not a Blue Ray player, AV amplifier, or something of that complexity we're talking about setting up. And besides, Dave does all the setting-up and supplying of excellent service - it's called having a good dealer, so I don't worry about such things

Hi Marco

If we keep going at the rate we are, there wont be any dealers good or bad. Having played about with a lot of arms over the years(not Jeleco, unless the arms, on I think Revolvers count), even I(no arrogance intended) and apart from some classic vintage arms,Air Tangent,Morch, I have worked with all the good arms, so Iam not a novice find a good set of instruction useful. It always pays to just have a look, just in case something is different than the norm(you can't always tell by just looking,I can't anyway). The finest set of instructions anywhere are those supplied by SME. Accessories second to none. You want to see the instructions Graham's have. Great arms, crap instructions. My wife could install a SME arm.

Well I can think of a reasonably well-paid physician, who used to post on forums a lot, and who bought an SME20 for its 'badge'. You may have heard of him. If not, I'm sorry, but I can't name names. I also know of someone else directly out with of forums who bought and SME20 mainly for its 'badge'.

I am surprised by this, he always wants to portray himself as above such things including everything else in Audio too.

As with the SME you need to get rid of any of the g.........l vdH cable (internal or external) that Alphason were spoiling their arms with.

Guy

Guys right this is the single biggest thing that ruins the SME arm range. I must get my SME 5 rewired sometime(I wouldn't try my self) SME have a reputation that IMHO stands above the Badge snobbery thing(Yes some do buy it for this reason but thats not SME's fault is it). The other issue is that they are not universally compatible with every TT. I know this well as many years ago I used to run a Voyd Valdi TT. I had a Rega RB 300 on it, Fantastic sound IMHO. I wanted an upgrade so I bought a SME 309(based on reputation,not badge) arm. What a disaster, the sound quality dropped a lot. It wasn't until I put the 309 on my Oracle (which suits the SME arms) that I heard what the 309 could do. In saying that my ET2 arm was better on the Oracle(boy I should not have sold that arm).


Regards D S D L---Neil

[Marco]

Mikey,

Someone beginning with 'B' maybe?

That's the chap!

As for the 'badge' thing, is it not the case that these badges are 'earned' somewhere along the line? I tend to find that there's a reputation that goes along with them, generally for excellence in some field or other. Reputation's (good and bad) tend not to come out of nowhere.

Agreed, but when it comes to hi-fi the only considerations I have are SPPV, reliability and back-up. "Reputations" don't interest me one iota, however well earned they are, or not, as the case may be. I judge things on an individual basis from a clean slate.

I saw an opinion offered in the magazine previously mentioned, where the writer suggested that the Jelco may not be as good as a Linn Ittok. Assuming, that is, the the Linn's bearings where 100% healthy!

Yes that was a strange one. I've never carried out a direct comparison so wouldn't know for sure. I only comment conclusively on things I've tested.

However, I've owned both arms and I know which one I'd be using on a 1210 with a 103! Moreover, Ittoks are designed for use on an LP12 where their balance of colorations combine to 'great effect', that is for those who like that sort of thing

Marco.

[Mike]

I used an Ittok for many years, in it's natural habitat, and quite liked it.

Anyone ever used one on a different deck?

[Marco]

Neil,

I am surprised by this, he always wants to portray himself as above such things including everything else in Audio too.

Yes I'd forgotten you'd, erm, 'crossed swords' with him on Zerogain.

I could say plenty but I'm not prepared to go into any more detail on the matter, as he isn't a member here. Safe to say though he's not renowned for his 'ears-first' selecting of hi-fi kit

Ok, I've got Al, (alb) on the forum, bringing his D.I.Y OBs and valve-based DAC coming round for a session, so I'm off to organise the music play list and the beers

Much later, chaps!

Marco.