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Tonearm suggestions for my Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck

After contemplating purchasing other TT,s I have decided to just upgrade my existing TT, my Nottingham Analogue Spacedeck.

I already use a Walker Motor Controller and it sits on Isoacoustics feet.

I think it's weak link right now is possible the stock Spacearm.

To that end looking for thoughts and suggestions for a good replacement. Using lomc carts right now, Scheu Analog MC SL and have the use of an Ortofon Cadenza Black.

Have looked briefly at Origin Live, Audiomods, Rega etc but have ZERO experience with tonearms apart from whatever has been on any TT I have owned at purchase time ( usually stock).

Not really looking to explore vintage or air bearing arms at this stage.

Thank you.
128x128uberwaltz
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
Still got the Spacedeck and 9 inch Spacearm.
Although after giving it a full service with fresh bearing oil and SmartTractor alignment we find the joys of hand made arms.
It is not quite 9 inch.... Lol
Specs say set pivot to spindle at 210 but impossible to align to any alignment with that.
Had to set to 208mm to get it to align correctly.
But now it really does sound better all the way through an album. I had been noticing very slight inner run distortion occasionally.

All I may do at this stage is look for a 12" Anna Spacearm.

Running Nagaoka MP 150 right now and very happy .
agrippa
160 posts
 
I’ve never been enamoured with Nottingham’s tonearms, but I can recommend Jelco’s 750 and 850 series arms, Micro Seiki MA-505 (I know you stated no vintage, but a well-kept MA-505 is hard to beat in terms of price/performance) and most of all, my current Thomas Schick 9 (actually a 9.6" arm).

I don’t know how 1500 Euro sounds, but to me it feels almost like a bargain. The bearings feel better than any I’ve operated before, the arm works equally well with a wide range of cartridge weights and compliances (depending on choice of headshell of course) and for the first time I feel that no compromises have to made in regards to any of my cartridges whilst using just a single arm.

The Schick is mounted on an Ace Spacedeck, which I frankly can’t see myself ever swapping out. I’ve listened to the Hyperspace, Space294 and Dais extensively without hearing any improvements worth shelling out for, not to mention at least a metric ton of other turntables through the years.

All fairly subjective of course and YMMV.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz OP
13,381 posts
 
I had looked at or considered the Schick.
Interesting that both the 9 and the 12 inch are both the same price in euros?
Thank you for the link, will research them
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
+1 on a Schick; especially if you plan to stay with medium compliance carts going forward.
Similar price range and also superb is the Audiocreative GMII titanium. This one is a great choice if you plan to try heavy/low compliance cart directions...
I've got a spare 10" GMII if you want to try it.
Disclosure: I'm a dealer for both brands so have some bias...
agrippa
160 posts
 
The GrooveMaster II Ti looks like a good choice and I briefly considered it before buying the Schick.  However, after VAT it would have ended up more expensive, as well as appearing to be significantly less flexible in terms of suitable cartridge weight and compliance.

Still, solypsa's offered loaner tonearm seems like a no-brainer...
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