Thanks again. What improvements did you experience?
I imagine improved tonal color and bass definition with an increase in dimensionality...
I imagine improved tonal color and bass definition with an increase in dimensionality...
What tonearm will better mine?
I have been running a 12" Jelco SA750L with an upgraded Decca Super Gold on a Garrard 401 for a few years. I'm happy with the sound and happy with my pre, power and speakers. (Croft 25R, EICO HF35s, -good tubes, Quad 57).
I keep hearing that my tonearm is a weak link even though it sounds pretty awesome to me. What would it take to replace the Jelco and make a significant improvement? What should I expect to hear better? Would I have to drill the massive plinth? Thanks.
I keep hearing that my tonearm is a weak link even though it sounds pretty awesome to me. What would it take to replace the Jelco and make a significant improvement? What should I expect to hear better? Would I have to drill the massive plinth? Thanks.
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- 51 posts total
@noromance not sure which cartridge do you have, but the Schick "12 tonearm was made especially for Ortoron SPU! For your Garrard 401 it would be a perfect match with low compliance cartridges, but for normal cartridges (5-10g) you need lighter counterweight. The Schick is the most ellegant tonearm on the market today imho. Here is a picture of mine. The only problem with Schick is that you have to wait 4-5 month in line for tonearm when you buy new from Schick. |
If you feel like going hard-core Decca/London, the two arms known as great matches with the cartridge is the Fidelity Research 66 and the Zeta. There are not a lot of them around for sale, so you'll need to be patient. One new arm popular with the cartridge is the Helius Omega. Kind of expensive at around $3200 for the Standard (copper wire, tungsten bearings) and $5200 for the Silver Ruby (silver wire, ruby bearings). A very sophisticated arm designed and made in England by a genuine rocket scientist! |
Dear NoRomance, If the Garrard truly is as "rough in upper-mids & treble" and "lacking in detail" as many experienced users suggest....then it seems to me that putting a "Super Arm" on the table, which puts a T/T’s failings under a very severe microscope, would be casting pearls before swine? As I may have mentioned before, the Jelco is every manufacturer’s favourite "starter" arm. Doesn’t mean that it is a bad tonearm - in fact it is extremely competent - but it is just that. So the answer is yes, improvement is possible. You should also have shortlisted the VPI 3D which is well within your budget. I don’t use VPI at all and I’m not on commission. ;^) Come to think of it...does $4K not buy you a complete Prime turntable? If so I’d seriously give that some thought. :) |
- 51 posts total