New Townshend Rock 7 owner

just wanted to remark on the Funk Firm FXR tonearm.

My first hearing/listening to a Rega /(based) tonearm.

When I called Max Townshend a couple of weeks ago, I told him that my table came with this arm. He seemed to not know of it. When I said it was an upgraded Rega with better bearings and a stiffer arm wand,  he remarked that the Rega had excellent bearings. (I got the feeling he did not think it could be improved). He seemed to be unaware of this arm that was reviewed in Stereophile with this table around 3/4 years ago! (I've learned to give designers a pass on what's going on in the industry because they are so focused on their own projects.) Ok, so what? All that matters is I've seen it, heard it, felt it in my hand... it is a solid arm and I cannot now find of any faults. 

more to come.............

Slaw, a while back Max was offering an arm that was a heavily-modified Rega 300, with the outrigger assembly built into the front end of the arm. It's model name and number was Excalibur 3, and retailed for $2500. The classic arms found to work especially well on Rocks are the Zeta and Fidelity Research 64, higher mass designs. A modern arm often partnered with the table is the Helius Omega, a really sophisticated design. It is available with tungsten bearings and copper internal wiring for around $3200, I believe, and with ruby bearings and silver wire for $5200.

I love my Moerch DP-8 paired with the Rock. What a combo for excellent bass!

I also had great luck with the Audiomods Rega-based arms. A great value and another wonderful match. 

Oh yeah Roscoe, the Audiomods arm is a very interesting design, with some unique, creative, and sophisticated thinking behind it.

I've reached the limits of my EAR 834 P mc/mm w/ volume phono.

I just put in a request to K & K Audio for my ultimate phono only preamp.