Bigman80
Grandmaster
The HiFi Bear/Audioaddicts/Bigbottle Owner
Posts: 16,430
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 26, 2019 8:08:21 GMT
Title says it all, so here’s mine:
Hits.
Linn Ekos. Way better than Ittok. Dynamic, clear, punchy and undoubtedly a super arm AFAIC.
Origin Live Silver mk2. Majors on clarity and life. Given that OL strayed out modding Regas, this couldn’t sound more different to their grey, dull and lifeless vibe.
Helius Orion 1: Not for the faint hearted, Finely etched and brisling with power. I’d love another.
Mayware Formula IV. OK so it wasn’t expensive.So what? It simply does things entirely differently. It lacks the dynamics of conventional arms, but the freedom and ease makes them sound too “up tight”.
Roksan Tabriz zi: Only lacking that last bit of weight. Otherwise a very capable arm. I’ve only tried the HD cable version.
Miss:
Linn Basik/Basik Plus: A stinker. Tracks poorly, won’t work with a decent MC and sounds scrappy as hell.
Maybe:
Rega RB250/300: You can scrape by with one on a Roksan because the extra life of the deck offsets the sloth of the arms, but they need a full rewire and an OL structural mod to be good. Add a VTAF and they can be very good.
Helius Scorpio: Ok-ish mid price arms, but they can be unreliable. Clarity is good though. They just need more authority.
Alphason Xenon/HR100s: I’ve had a good few of these and they have been variable depending on the deck and cart. Worked great on a Xerxes or an Analogue Works. Failed on a Rock and an Alphason Solo. A mixed bag in an LP12. Light and airy but not a real boogie machine.
Linn Ittok: Not a bad arm but not a patch on the Ekos. Price is silly today.
Still a few arms I’d like to try at home:
SME IV or V: I’ve heard these a few times and heard them sounding anywhere between dull and epic
Zeta: The planets have never aligned on this one. Never even see in the flesh.
Kuzma Stogi: Again I’ve never seen one.
Manticore Magician: Again I’ve yet to see one at a time I’m looking for an arm.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 14:05:09 GMT
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Post by dsjr on Oct 26, 2019 14:15:54 GMT
I was recently very pleasantly surprised by a Mission 774, which 'sounded' great to me on an original 1979 spec LP12 which didn't even have a Nirvana kit fitted - absolutely no boom or bass hangover, which shocked me more than a little. The fact that this dog's dinner of an arm was singing so sweetly with good bearings and working cueing device etc. after forty years was another happy surprise  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 14:19:55 GMT
I was recently very pleasantly surprised by a Mission 774, which 'sounded' great to me on an original 1979 spec LP12 which didn't even have a Nirvana kit fitted - absolutely no boom or bass hangover, which shocked me more than a little. The fact that this dog's dinner of an arm was singing so sweetly with good bearings and working cueing device etc. after forty years was another happy surprise Most people trying a 774 are pleasantly surprised. I've been using one since 1980 and not felt the need to move on. I sold my Ittok because I preferred the Mission. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 14:22:43 GMT
The Bearings it used were bomb proof Dave.
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Post by karma67 on Oct 26, 2019 14:26:34 GMT
i would love to try a mission mechanic,the at-1010 im using now i fear would better it but on looks i like the zeta/mechanic heavy weight appearence
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 14:33:41 GMT
Mechanics are rare [Can i use that word] they really are.. I think the '774SM' was just as good
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 16:20:44 GMT
Worst ever was probably Mayware Formula 4, followed by SME 3009 SII and then 3009 SIII.
I quite like the Linn Basik (I presume we mean LVX not the earlier LVV).
Rega RB300 I like.
I currently use an Audio Technica AT1005 MkII and rate it quite highly.
Fave ever probably Mission 774. I regret that for decades I meant to get round to buying a S/H one whilst they were cheap but never did and they are now out of my league on price and certainly go for more than I would be willing to spend on one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 16:23:23 GMT
Utter Bollox The mayware was a superb sounding arm.. No i mean the s shaped LVV Basik..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 16:28:08 GMT
No such thing as a 3009 SIII. The arm you are referring to is just called a series III & just that.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 16:54:21 GMT
The best ever tonearm is my own arm. Best cartridge is my thumb with it's pointy nail tip. Tracking force at 12 grams.....Sounds boooootiful!!
S.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:01:31 GMT
No such thing as a 3009 SIII. The arm you are referring to is just called a series III & just that. Bullshit! It's a 3009 SIII |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:03:03 GMT
No such thing as a 3009 SIII. The arm you are referring to is just called a series III & just that. Bullshit! It's a 3009 SIII You show me proof that it says 3009 for the series III.. It does not |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:04:16 GMT
Utter Bollox The mayware was a superb sounding arm.. No i mean the s shaped LVV Basik.. It's the worst arm I've ever heard. I had two... no I wouldn't pay money for them... I was given them. and got shot after hearing them. Worst front end I ever heard was a Lenco GL75 with Mayware arm. Unlistenable. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:11:02 GMT
Handbook & original Product Lit.. Never ever said anything about a 3009, cos it was not   |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:13:26 GMT
Utter Bollox The mayware was a superb sounding arm.. No i mean the s shaped LVV Basik.. It's the worst arm I've ever heard. I had two... no I wouldn't pay money for them... I was given them. and got shot after hearing them. Worst front end I ever heard was a Lenco GL75 with Mayware arm. Unlistenable. Your so funny. Mayware are are very open sounding arm.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 17:14:21 GMT
It is a 3009. Try looking at an SME alignment protractor for it.
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Post by sq225917 on Oct 26, 2019 17:40:34 GMT
In reverse order.
Kuzma s 12"
Sme v
Kuzma s 9"
Aro
Ittok
Rb700
The kuzma is a keeper until I find a good linear air bearing
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 26, 2019 23:51:28 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 7:19:24 GMT
I was recently very pleasantly surprised by a Mission 774, which 'sounded' great to me on an original 1979 spec LP12 which didn't even have a Nirvana kit fitted - absolutely no boom or bass hangover, which shocked me more than a little. The fact that this dog's dinner of an arm was singing so sweetly with good bearings and working cueing device etc. after forty years was another happy surprise I really like the Mission 774 arm. Its a steal if you find a nice one. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 7:21:36 GMT
Utter Bollox The mayware was a superb sounding arm.. No i mean the s shaped LVV Basik.. Adnin: Just a reminder "Bill" No one's opinion is "bollocks" We don't do that here. Jez is entitled to like what he likes as are you. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 7:24:21 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 10:40:08 GMT
No F#ck all about arms and or cartridges I would rather spend my money on a top class digital front end speakers and amplification for far less money than it takes fiddling with a bloody record player.
The difference between a decent deck like a rega planar 2 or 3 with the rb 250/rb 300 stock arm and a decent MM cartridge, and some highly priced deck cartridge and arm, is a great and sobering introduction to the world of diminishing returns.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 15:06:06 GMT
Handbook & original Product Lit.. Never ever said anything about a 3009, cos it was not  Thats been added by the mag.. Those boxes must be later cos when i first bought mine in the early 80's it said nothing what so ever about it being a Mk.3 3009 nor did any of the litrature i had sent by SME at the time. Thats all im saying. Even that CA 1 carry arm box my original never said 3009 it just did not. Nice slimey of engine having a stab without Bigman getting on to him. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 15:11:21 GMT
I quite like my FX1200, with the updated F.X arm tube.
It was way better than the AO RB251 and the standard SL1200 arm.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 15:14:44 GMT
Nice slimey of engine having a stab without Bigman getting on to him. What are you on about now Andre? Seriously, this is really starting to get on my tits. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 15:16:35 GMT
cos your totally blinkered to it thats wat
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 15:20:30 GMT
cos your totally blinkered to it thats wat OK, Andre Either give it a rest or leave. You've done nothing but bitch and moan about everything 'engine' has posted and where I saw an issue, I dealt with it. He's posted a pic of a box. WTF is wrong with that? Engine did his time. Either spell it out or leave it alone. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 18:11:01 GMT
... and admit you were wrong about the 3009 series III!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2019 19:06:26 GMT
Appaerently so However. I SAID THAT THE ARM WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD AS SIMPLY A SERIES III THERE WAS NEVER ANY MENTION OF A 3009 ON THE ORIGINAL BOXES OR ORIGINAL LIT.. IHAVE SHOW YOU BOTH.
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