I like the Jelco TK-850. I'm using a 12", but have heard good things about the 9" and 10.5"models.
This arm is out of production, but worth the search.
What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?
Thinking about the possibility of searching for a new tonearm. The table is a SOTA Cosmos Eclipse. Cartridge currently in use is a Transfiguration Audio Proteus, and it also looks like I will also have an Ortofon Verismo if a diamond replacement occurs without incident.
The V is an early generation one but in good condition with no issues. Some folks never thought highly of the arm, others thought it quite capable. So it's a bit decisive.
The replacement has to be 9 to 10.5 inches. I have wondered if Origin Live is worth exploring? Perhaps a generation old Triplanar from the pre owned market?
Any thoughts on what are viable choices?
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Dear @neonknight : If you are satisfied with the V then stay with, however if it's the first V generation maybe could be fine that be checked for an expert to confirm if it's still in today V operation condition.
R. |
Like you, I had an early SME V on a SOTA Star III, in use for over 30 years, serviced twice mainly just to clean and check. I replaced it with an AMG 9W2 which I managed to find used. It outperformed the SME in every respect except perhaps the bass where while more articulate, perhaps not quite as full. In truth, I did not notice this on the Kuzma TT which replaced my SOTA. Carts used in the last 5 years or so have been ZYX Airy3 and Dynavector XV-1s. Fast forward, I finally changed out the SOTA and went with a Kuzma Ref 2 on which I mounted the AMG arm. Quite frankly, I never missed the SME and sold it only a few weeks are getting the AMG. I eventually replaced the AMG with a Kuzma 4point11 as I wanted the arm to match the TT. I would not say that the Kuzma performaned better than the AMG. The setup for the Kuzma is easily faster and more repeatable but I think quite highly of the AMG. I sold it to a Garard 301 user and he loves the arm. |
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