Upcoming Technics SP-10R (100th Anniversary Model)

Dear @invictus005: This is what I posted to atmasphere days ago about the tonearm by Technics:


"""  You said the Triplanar has better bearings, maybe better for you but the Technics gimbal type with 20 precision ruby ball bearings and lower than 5mg. on friction level is no slouch about as it’s not on damping issue or low resonances in its design. Technics did it not only through the boron and titanium nitride build materials but with its unique variable dynamic damping.
Do you know that boron is used on cartridge cantilevers instead carbon fiber ( TP arm wand. ) because boron is less resonant?
The Technics are fully adjustable and that MK2 VTA mechanism is even today unavialable my any other tonearm including the Triplanar. This VTA Technics unique mechanism outperforms " easily " the one in the tonearm you are supporting. """

Boron is the main issue here, yes overall design and quality execution are really important too. I loved the MK2 tonearm.

In the other side, @chakster was only a " happy " coincidence the MK2 tonearm alond the MK3 TT because either of both can been buy it for separate by any audiophile.  @lewm question was maybe because of that.

Anyway, Technics is second to none and good its " come back " to the true high end where the only thing they need is to have on board 2-3 true today audiophiles for they can know what all of we need.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Raul, i just tried to say that EPA-MKII was not available before the release of SP-10MK3 turntable and SL1000mk3 combo, until 1982. After anyone is free to use the arm on whatever turntable, they are paired very well (aesthetically) with a rare black SP-20 from 1976 btw. But in general is was a pinnacle of the Technics design, the last tonearm for their best turntable in the 80s, before they are wiped away with CD era. 

Dear @chakster : The MK3 was realeased in 1981 and the MK2 tonearm in 1982. This tonearm was designed as a stand alone unit and  can be confirmed due that received Best Buy reward/prize in Japan in 1984. 

It's obvious that if Technics púts on sale the MK3 with a dedicated plinth the tonearm there must be the best they had in those years but that does not means that one or the other were designed to stay that way. Lewm is rigth about.

I understood your point.

R.

Dear Chakster,  Have you compared the EPA100 to the EPA100 mk2, side by side, using the same cartridge on the same turntable in both cases?  In that context, is the Mk2 version audibly superior to the base EPA100?  I know that the mk2 was much more expensive, but I think the cost is owing mostly to the boron construction.  I am just wondering whether it pays off on the listener's end.  Thanks.

I own a GAE and a SP10 MK3 NGS (Artisan Fidelity) and I can tell you that the new SP10R is not a new SP 10 MK3. The platter of the MK 3 has quite a bit more mass, the motor is far more powerful on the MK 3 but probably most importantly are the differences in the bearing. The new SP 10R motor is essentially the same as the G/GAE motor with a second set of stators. It will provide twice the torque of my GAE. The bearing bore and spindle diameter and spindle length are much greater on the SP 10 mk3, furthermore the MK3 has a linear power supply vs the SMPS of the SP 10R.

Please don't misunderstand me, I believe it will be awesome but it is not a MK3. I will pass on it as I'm pleased with my GAE and MK3 along with my fully sorted  Tascam 42Br R2R. Now, if I didn't have a MK3 I'd purchase the SP 10R without hesitation OR a Dohmann Helix 1 which is the only belt drive table I've heard and really really liked.