Magna Audio's custom-made counterweight balance and armboard service!

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

I've been through the 12" arm thing and back again.
12" arms I tried sound great for bass and highs but lack the drive / get up and go of a 9".

I concur completely, as those are the results of my own findings. The best 9" arms, quite simply, 'boogie' better. 12" arms may be technically more accurate (they certainly sound smoother), but they sure as hell aren't as much fun to listen to - certainly not to my ears!

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

Hi Mike

the lowest price I could find for the Ortofon TA-110 (which is BTW the only Ortofon tonearm that fits the Techy AND that's currently available) is from this greek seller.
http://athensproaudio.gr/hi-fi/playe...alance-en.html
The arm got a great review from Adam Smith (Beobloke).
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...56343320,d.bGE

Hope this helps

Thanks Michael
So this is a replacement for the 212D.....

[MikeMusic]

Hi Mike,

Obviously the TA-210 is out, as it's a 12" arm...

I do rate the new TA-110, and if I were getting one I would buy it from Simon (at Hi-fi Sound in Stockton-on-Tees), where I've bought all my Ortofon 'bits', as he's a top bloke and *may* give you a small discount, most likely if you mention my name

However, IMO, the RS-212D is the better tonearm (built to a higher, more exacting standard, which includes the 'Dynamic Balance' system that improves tracking - an effect I have tested, and so can confirm its efficacy). However, before ordering it from joynetcafe (whom I've used before and can recommend), I'd check with Simon to see if Henley can still obtain stock.

If not, I'd go for the brand new RS-212D from joynetcafe - but if you're serious about obtaining this tonearm then I'd bag it ASAP before stocks dry up completely!

Although, like I said, give Simon a shout first: http://www.hifisound.co.uk/

Marco.

Thanks Marco
£1400 seems like a hell of a price to beat.
I'll give Simon a nudge.
I wasn't in a rush until you said they stopped making them !

[Magna Audio]

Hmm, the TA-110 9" doesn't look like a SPU carrier somehow? Effective mass 3.5g? Headshell mass 15.5g. Plus 0-3g tracking force range.

My Royal N only came alive once in the FR64s headshell / arm effective mass of the 64s is 35g

Effective mass data on the 212D seem a bit elusive but the range is 0-4.5g or 0-5g.

Do I read it then as Ortofon don't have a 9" arm to handle the SPUs they make? Seems odd. Perhaps they have a CW booster?

Thanks Michael
So this is a replacement for the 212D.....

[JazzBones]

Hi Steve,



I concur completely, as those are the results of my own findings. The best 9" arms, quite simply, 'boogie' better. 12" arms may be technically more accurate (they certainly sound smoother), but they sure as hell aren't as much fun to listen to!

Marco.

Marco, what would be your gut feeling and wisdom beyond years experience about using a Naim Aro unipivot arm on a highly specced 1210 complete with SS ebony or African hardwood mounting board... Something I would like to try at a future date? At the mo I'm using a modified (AO silver wired, damped) Linn Ekos. I swapped back to this after using a Jelco 750D, which I still own, preferring the Ekos (Akos ). The JellyD is still a very good arm which I will be using on my Modified LP12 (Office system). Avid do, or did, an SME slide fitting to accommodate the Aro which would allow for adjustment and also provide a useful arm clip to hold the Aro in place when not as opposed to the horrible right angle nail that Naim themselves use as an arm rest.
Ron

[Marco]

Thanks Marco
£1400 seems like a hell of a price to beat.
I'll give Simon a nudge.
I wasn't in a rush until you said they stopped making them !

No worries, dude. Don't forget that, being in the UK, Simon is only a quick phone call away, should any problems arise, and he has an excellent relationship with Henley (the UK importers for Ortofon products).

I've had first-hand experience of his (and Henley's) excellent customer service. You will not have the same level of care or peace of mind by ordering directly from Japan. I'm not saying that joynetcafe wouldn't look after you, but the fact is they're 1000's of miles way and don't have the same infrastructure in place (in terms of handling the sale of Ortofon products), as Hi-fi Sound and/or Henley, so I'd think carefully about that....

Furthermore, don't forget how much you'll get hammered for tax and import duty, should you buy direct from Japan (and it will be significant, so be sure to factor that into the equation), not to mention the risk of anything getting lost or damaged en-route to you. If Simon can get an RS-212D, he'll simply order it from Henley, and you'll be covered for all eventualities along the way, not to mention, when the arm arrives at Simon's place, it'll be examined and tested before it is sent onto you.

Therefore, if it were me, I'd have to be saving PLENTY, and I mean plenty, (by ordering it from Japan), for it to outweigh the advantages of going through Simon - *if* he can get you the tonearm in question

Keep us posted of the outcome!

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

No worries, dude. Don't forget that, being in the UK, Simon is only a quick phone call away, should any problems arise, and he has an excellent relationship with Henley (the UK importers for Ortofon products).

I've had first-hand experience of his (and Henley's) excellent customer service. You will not have the same level of care or peace of mind by ordering directly from Japan. I'm not saying that joynetcafe wouldn't look after you, but the fact is they're 1000's of miles way and don't have the same infrastructure in place, as Hi-fi Sound and/or Henley, so I'd think carefully about that....

Furthermore, don't forget how much you'll get hammered for tax and import duty, should you buy direct from Japan (and it will be significant, so be sure to factor that into the equation), not to mention the risk of anything getting lost or damaged en-route to you. If Simon can get an RS-212D, he'll simply order it from Henley, and you'll be covered for all eventualities along the way, not to mention, when the arm arrives at Simon's place, it'll be examined and tested before it is sent onto you.

Therefore, if it were me, I'd have to be saving PLENTY, and I mean plenty, (by ordering it from Japan), for it to outweigh the advantages of going through Simon - *if* he can get you the tonearm in question

Keep us posted of the outcome!

Marco.

Thanks Marco
Take a stab at customs duties on £1400
Remember to stick your finger in the air

[Marco]

Hi Steve,

Hmm, the TA-110 9" doesn't look like a SPU carrier somehow? Effective mass 3.5g? Headshell mass 15.5g. Plus 0-3g tracking force range.

My Royal N only came alive once in the FR64s headshell / arm effective mass of the 64s is 35g

Effective mass data on the 212D seem a bit elusive but the range is 0-4.5g or 0-5g.

Do I read it then as Ortofon don't have a 9" arm to handle the SPUs they make? Seems odd. Perhaps they have a CW booster?

Indeed there is (scroll down and see the section regarding installing the 'extra mass ring' for the TA-110): http://www.ortofon.com/products/tonearms/ta-110 Also, 3g VTF is the max that can be achieved, using the stock CW. With the extra mass ring fitted, that will change significantly!

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the spec for the RS-212D, in terms of mass, as one also has to consider how much mass the grinded wooden headshell adds to the equation, which the SPU is housed within, including the mounting hardware and wires.

Furthermore, and most importantly, you've heard the 212D, in conjunction with my (then) SPU Classic GM(E), in your own system, when I was down at your place, having my ebony armboard fitted, and if you remember, it didn't exactly sound shabby (or did any sonic evidence exist suggesting a lack of mass)!

We also compared my T/T, fitted with said arm and cartridge, with your SP10/FR64S/SPU Silver-Meister, if you remember...

Marco.

[Marco]

Thanks Marco
Take a stab at customs duties on £1400
Remember to stick your finger in the air

Based on previous experience, I reckon you'd be looking at around £200-250, plus it could be held up in Customs for weeks, especially at this time of year...

Marco.

[MikeMusic]

Based on previous experience, I reckon you'd be looking at around £200-250, plus it could be held up in Customs for weeks, especially at this time of year...

Marco.

Thanks Marco. And I won't/can't hold you to that as I know customs make up the rules as they go along