2. analog
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Best Tonearm and Cartridge for 4K or under for restored Garrard 301

I have a good set up for digital audio and would like to venture into analog audio. My digital set up is
Cary DMS600 -> Cary SLP05 -> Cary CAD211FE -> KEF Blade. I love the sound!

My first and only TT is a Thorens TD126 with TP16 tonearm and TMC60 MC -> PPA990 and phono stage is Cary PH302.

I bough an old Garrard 301. Planning to get it restored by Jim Campbell. Have a slate plinth. Now I am looking for a tonearm and cartridge that will justify my set up. I am thinking 4K. I could go lower or higher depending on the feedback, cost/value. I am looking for a good bargain. If I don't like it, I can easily sell it without much loss. I listen to classical, jazz, rock, indian music. 

I have never setup a tonearm before. But I looked extensively on the internet and Michael Fremer's how to set up videos. I understand all the different angles, VTA, SRA, Azimuth, Zenith. 

Looks like Michael likes Kuzma 4PT, I liked his review of the tonearm.
I am also looking at linear trackers like Transfi Terminator.
Woody, Triplaner Mk VII, SME 3012R, SME 312, Ortofon RS 309D, Dynavector DV 505/ 507, Reed 3P, Stogi reference, FR 64S, FR 64 FX, Sumiko 800.

kanchi647
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
But not quite sure why Miller even posting here as he is a confirmed idler drive hater?


At the risk of making the obvious mistake of thinking logic has anything to do with an uberwaltz post, having never said even one word one way or the other about idler wheels- EVER! Find it uberwaltz and I will GIVE YOU MY TURNTABLE you useless piece of... nevermind,like we all don't know anyway- so no merit as usual to that. But even if I had- which I have not!- I'd be a lousy idler wheel hater seeing as my own freaking turntable is rim drive, which is essentially a variation on an idler wheel!
Check it out! https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
So much for the hater part. Now on to the question of why I'm posting here. Which is obvious to everyone else. Since the OP is asking about tone arms, I am letting him know about tone arms. Unlike uberwaltz, who went way off topic into idler drive just to gratuitously slam me for something I never did.

Doesn't make a lick of sense. Just like uberwaltz. Well I did say its a mistake to apply logic to any of his posts. Right again.

                 
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Miller

I must humbly apologise here, I could have sworn it was yourself that was the idler hater.
I was wrong.
It is Mijo.
Jeez, what a klutz.
At least I can admit when wrong though, unlike some.

In my defence it has been increasingly hard to tell the pair of you apart at times though but no excuse, I screwed up badly on that accusation.


chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
In my defence it has been increasingly hard to tell the pair of you apart at times though but no excuse, I screwed up badly on that accusation.


hahaha, almost every thread on here going crazy after first 5 posts or so
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,776 posts
 
^ This thread just got even better. ;-)

I can't wait to see the OP's final table. It's definitely going to be one of the more unusual interpretations of a Garrard build.
pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 
The purpose of the Post was to inform the OP the Idler TT, can be experienced in a variety of Sound Qualities.
It is a design that is for the end user, tweakable in many ways, and does not require the intrusion into the mechanics of the Deck itself. 
I'm sure with the directions available in this thread, the OP will find a place of great satisfaction in their front end source.  
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