Yet another wacko 'Help Me Decide' thread...

Thanks for the sifting and winnowing ... I kinda went through some of that to arrive at my current state.

Currently I use a 12 yr old RCM from Audio Advisor - the entry level model made by Nitty Gritty and sold by AA - which Nitty Gritty admits was intended to be 'disposable'. Yes it still works, and I use it. But the number of records going into the NBC (need to be cleaned) pile continues to grow.

Current cart is a Shelter 901 on an SME V on a Teres 255 feeding into an Xono phonostage, which has plenty of gain. (see system for other details).

Its not a zero sum answer, but funds are limited...

Thanks!

You're close to where I was a year or so ago. I had a Shelter 901 and a DIY'd shop vac. Using the latter was a chore and it was painfully loud. I actually had to wear earplugs while using it. I upgraded to the Loricraft first and I'm glad I did.

However, you do have a functioning RCM, not a DIY. If it works okay and the records you've cleaned sound reasonably quiet I think I'd go for the Airy 3 first.

The 901 emphasizes certain surface noises. A ZYX does not, so your records will actually sound somewhat quieter.

IME the Airy 3 is much better than a 901 for every aspect of musical and sonic reproduction. You should hear a huge improvement. A Loricraft, as good as it is, would not make such a dramatic improvement unless you had no RCM at all.

P.S. If you go for any ZYX get the SB option. You'll want the extra weight with that tonearm and there's another advantage. Having the extra shim on top of the cartridge will require raising your arm to maintain proper VTA/SRA. This is a good thing. Raising your arm will give your tapered armtube more clearance above the record than it would have with an unweighted ZYX.

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Thanks Doug. Your reasoning reflects my own to a large degree. Every year I tell myself the RCM needs to become a priority and every year I put it off in favor of the reproduction chain. (And yes, the records stil get cleaned.) It has taken me a while to realize my front end is being held back by the 901 - or put differently, nicely capable of going beyond it. Damn hobby and its siren's call - next I'll be looking at a 320! Or maybe I should thank the likes of Sibelius, Heifetz, Barbirolli, and Layton. (smile)

If you go for any ZYX get the SB option.

Thanks for answering one of the *next* questions.