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
kanchi647 OP
70 posts
 
@rauliruegas @patrickamory @bigbucks5 @yagbol2 (they specifically mentioned IT-407 is better than fr66s)

I bought a peter riggle woody tone arm, SME 3012 ii and FR 64S.
I am looking at FR-66S vs IT-407.
I bought a Shindo platter and bearing as well which is being shipped.
I am happy to spend the money as long as I can get it back if I don't like it.
The reason I am buying so many arms is that I can have mounting boards made for them and compare them.
I am also interested if someone isolated the tonearm mount from the plinth. I saw some youtube videos and they look amazing. 
A lot of forum members are claiming that FR-66S is better than Ikeda IT-407 (early version and later version), even though IT-407 is good on paper doesn't translate into sound is what they claim.
I would like to get your thoughts on that.  

Thanks
Nanda
kanchi647 OP
70 posts
 
What do you all think about Osiris tonearm which is held by a magnet..
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
Nanda you have to decide for yourself after your own experience with those tonearms and different cartridges. FR66s is not $4k tonearm, it’s twice as much in price. This is a high mass tonearm for low compliance cartridges. If you already have 64s in perfect condition then try Ikeda (short of long). You can pimp your 64s by sending it to Ikeda for rewire and maintenance (if your 64s is not perfect). 
coolsat
2 posts
 

Joining this discussion a little late. I recently upgraded from a shelter 501 to  a rebuild  Koetsu black. My listening interests are mostly blues, jazz and a lot of Indian music (I have lots of LPs from the 60s/70s). The rest of the system is decent

1. Well tempered classic with JMW 12 tonearm 

2. Zu Omen Mk2's and zu event cables

3. Ifi iphono black 3 

4. Benchmark LH 4 preamp ( I swap sometimes with a fantastic preamp built by my friend for me 

 (Sridhar)

4. I also have 811 based monoblocks driving the Zu's built by my friend

If I thought that the shelter 501 was good with vocals, the koetsu black is several notches better especially in the midrange. I cannot believe how the same vinyl sounds so much better (more details seem to be easily heard). Granted my shelter was old but this is really good. I have a month to evaluate the Koetsu black and in case I do not like it, I can exchange for a kiseki or others. But so far the Koetsu has been outstanding. Have not yet listed to rock etc with it.

Also, I have heard the same records played back with Lyra Delos; the Koetsu definitely seems better to my ears.  The dealer who I bought the Koetsu from was suggesting that I should upgrade my player to a Merril with a kuzma 4 pt tonearm --) way over what I can afford right now.

 

 

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,776 posts
 

@kanchi647 

Did you get the 401 sorted? It's been a while. Hope all is well.
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