Schroeder Model 2 for Technics + Ortofon 2M Black

Thanks Xronx- yes, unipivots can be unstable and it was good to read your comments regarding the Schroeder's ability in that area.

Another thing is the tonearm's magnets and their suitability on a Technics turntable that has a direct-drive motor with many (?) more magnets. Do any of you feel there could be a problem with the motor interfering with the arm? (ie as the motor spins, would it generate a magnetic 'flux' that could throw the Schroeder right off it's game?)

Dsa
The magnets are very powerful. The motor's magnets should not cause any problems. One of the key parameters of setting up the Schroeder is the magnet gap, which is typically very close, like 1mm. You would have to experiment to see the impact on the sound.

Like what Xronx mentions, setup is more time-consuming, since any changes in the counterweight affect other parameters - anti-skate, azimuth. The initial setup requires you to be patient. Once that is done, its pretty much maintenance free.

By a simple change of the cart mounting plate, you can mount a wide range of carts. It would be advisable to ask for the brass and alu mounting plates at one go. You can then play around with whichever cart floats your boat.

Good luck with your search.

Thanks Cmk, I suppose I was getting a bit paranoid, but with a finely tuned tonearm like this, it pays to ask! About the tip you gave regarding the mounting plate choice- I assume you mean the headshell?

A question for Xronx and Cmk- How tall is the tonearm when set for 'average' VTA? Also, it's hard to tell from the pics- what sort of footprint does it have? (ie how wide is its mounting base?)

Yes, the Model-2 has a 222 mm pivot to spindle distance and a 239 mm effective length.

If the Rega is mounted on a Rega turntable, then they use a Stevenson alignment which is slightly closer to the record spindle, with the cartridge mounted to produce a 237 mm effective length. Many will mount their Regas on other tables to 222 mm pivot to spindle distance (239 mm effective length).

In any case, the hole diameter for a Rega tonearm is larger than the arm stub diameter of a Model-2, so that you can mount it correctly (at 222 mm) on any turntable that was drilled correctly (either to Rega's alignment or the Baerwaald 222/239 alignment).

Also, as I mentioned in the currently active thread on getting pivot to spindle distance right (http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1210959908&openfrom&17&4#17), the Model-2 allows you to move the cartridge fore and aft in a slot in the arm tube. This is not the case with the DPS and the Reference which both lock your effective length for any particular cartridge.

Also, the wait for Schroeders is about two years these days. I receive them so infrequently that it's impossible to have real-world statistics, but know that my next in line Schroeder customer ordered his tonearm in June of 2006.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Hello Tom,
Thanks for weighing-in on this unusual quest.

As I would want to use Baerwaald alignment, and if I used the Rega-friendly mounting plate I already own, would I just mount the Schroeder 2 further back on the plate? (since the hole for a Rega is larger than the hole needed for a Schroeder there is 'room to move' available)

Alternatively, would I be better off having the manufacturer of the plate make one specifically for the geometry of a Schroeder that would also position the arm exactly according to Baerwaald alignment? (then I could move the cartridge every so slightly if the positioning was slightly off)

There is also the question of arm height. The mounting plate I bought (made to take a Rega RB300/RB250) positions the tonearm lower in the plinth to allow for the height of the Technics platter (as already mentioned, the plate also positions the tonearm further back and away from the platter to enable the correct alignment of a Rega type arm)

Looking at the pictures of the Schroeder 2, the arm looks rather tall. Do you know how much VTA there is available of the Schroeder 2? Is its height also similar to a Rega RB300/RB250 tonearm?