The Agile tonearm and custom arm board delivered yesterday. I spent a bit of time reading the manual and bolting the arm to the board and placing it on the table. You have to remove a cushion/ spacer in the arm bearing that is used for transit. The arm bearing functions differently than I expected. Familiarized myself with the VTA collar and what to expect from it. Need to mount the tone arm cable strain relief clip and then route wire and bolt down the board. I figure to get this up and going during the weekend.
Developing A List Of Tonearm Candidates For A SOTA Turntable
So this month i sent my SME V off to a new home, and that leaves my SOTA armless. My other table has a schroder CB-1L on it and I have run either an Ortofon Verismo or Transfiguration Proteus on it. I did put both those same cartridges on the SME on the SOTA and it always had a disappointing presentation of harmonics and texture. A monochromatic sound could be the best description I have. Time for another arm.
The SOTA armboard restricts the type of arm that can be installed. The arm types that have a VTA tower and separate pivot point take up too much real estate to fit. So fitting something like a Wheaton, Reed, or Durand does not seem possible. I wondered about elevating the arm board so its level with the top plate, but I am not sure if there is enough room for the want to pivot without removing the dust cover. It is a possibility, but I wonder how it effects the travel of the suspension. and if there are unintended consequences. I have yet to read about any SOTA owners doing this.
So I am trying to put together a list of candidates. I do know some folks appreciate the Origin Live arms, but I am not very well versed in their lineup. I have wondered about the Groovemaster arms also. I have looked at the Moerch, but its kind of a fiddly thing. The point is the table is on the sidelines at the moment because there is no arm in place. I typically shop the used market, but I can be patient and wait for the right arm to come along. The benefit of having more than one table i guess.
Anyone else have any suggestions. Appreciate your thoughts and experiences.
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@neonknight : Congrats! I’m excited to hear what you think. |
What was there about the SME V that you weren't satisfied with? I run that arm on my primary (VPI TNT V) and secondary (Sota Cosmos) systems and have been very happy with them. Thought of trying a Graham at one point but decided that the differences would be small. Also considered an ET but just wasn't up for that much possible fiddling. |
I dreamed of a V ever since I sold them when a part time sales person during my college years. I put one on my Cosmos when I received it but never cared for the tables sound with it in place. I did bolt up an Audiomods Sweies 6 for a bit and to be honest I preferred the presentation with a Transfiguration Proteus, but Indis not want to believe it. I did eventually find a satisfactory combination with a Kiseki Blackheart first generation, but other carts only had middling success on this table. Earlier yhis year I decided this was enough and I would do an arm change. I looked at various candidates but the small arm board eliminated many contenders. It came down to Kuzma, Graham, Moerch, and Origin Live. The Agile was my best option for a few reasons, so I made my choice and paid my monies. |
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- 75 posts total