Why will no other turntable beat the EMT 927?

So, did you exchange the original Ortofon RF297 arm for an EMT RF297? What don't I understand?  My only point was and is that there is in reality no such thing as a "mono" tonearm, provided one is willing to re-wire.  I would have guessed that re-wiring is less expensive than doing an exchange with a dealer, tonearm for tonearm.  That was my secondary point.

Paul,

I agree with lewm, there is no reason to discard the arm.  Rewire if necessary but if the bearings are good I would use it.  I used the 3012 because I had it.  It worked fine, just not the best choice.  The 997 would be better, because it is better.

My modest vintage hifi is in a nice cabinet in my living room.  The broadcast 927 was just too big and industrial looking.  I had considered trying a smaller EMT, but I don’t think anything would be like the 927.  

The biggest thing  with my 927 was taking the motor apart and cleaning and lubing.  The motor was a little noisy when I first got the turntable. After it was restored it was very quite.  
I didn’t even need to repaint mine.  The enamel paint was so thick it would take a hammer swing to mar it.  It was soiled, as was the entire turntable.  The platter bearing is huge, and was perfect.  My bearing was oil based, but I have heard that some are also grease fitted.  (Like Garrard).  

I also had the glass platter.  Some are fitted with persplex.  
The only other turntable that has impressed me so much was the Rockport Sirius III, which a client of mine owns.  I wish I could  have heard them side by side.

I also had the broadcast frame.  My frame was spring loaded, so you could jump and the turntable wouldn’t move.  The frame is designed to sit into a console  which if you have the room I would recommend.

The TSD cartridge makes sense.  EMT and Ortofon has many high mass choices.  I also used my Decca Red which worked well.  
If you have space, this is a no compromise turntable.  

I wasn't planning on selling mine.  A fellow agon member asked to hear it.  Afterward, what he offered me on the spot was about three and a half times what I had into it.  So, reluctantly I sold it.

As I said, I miss it everyday.  Eckart has some incredible turntables, but if his system were mine, I would sell them all and keep the EMT.

Norman

Have a look at the differences in the two arms supplied with the EMT 927 before they started making the 997. Part of the problem with the RF 297 is it is a heavier arm then the RMA 297 and it may not balance the TSD carts as well as the TSD.
http://www.stefanopasini.it/EMT927-930%20Ortofon%20arms.htm

The biggest thing  with my 927 was taking the motor apart and cleaning and lubing.  The motor was a little noisy when I first got the turntable. After it was restored it was very quite.  
I didn’t even need to repaint mine.  The enamel paint was so thick it would take a hammer swing to mar it.  It was soiled, as was the entire turntable.  The platter bearing is huge, and was perfect.  My bearing was oil based, but I have heard that some are also grease fitted.  (Like Garrard).      

Mine is in very good shape cosmetically.  I would rate it an 8 out of 10.  It has a suspension frame too.  I want to do a good cleaning,  dismantle the motor to clean and lube and then install the new motor mounts.  I have a local tech who will most likely handle the powersupply electronics replacing caps etc...

 The resurrection of this thread prompted me to take a look at current values of an EMT 927. I was surprised to find that asking prices of examples that are for sale range from about $5000 US to about $40,000 US. Samples in the latter category of course are beautifully and immaculately restored. But samples that are in the low-end of the price range don’t look so bad either. What’s up with that vast difference in pricing?