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Tonearm compatibility and advice

Dear Vinyl Gurus,

Does the spindle-to-pivot distance determine whether an arm fits a particular table? Or is the needle-to-pivot the determining factor? Or does the headshell adjustment allow you to make up for small mismatches?

The tonearm mounting hole on my table is exactly 222 mm from the center of the hole to the spindle. I was considering a Hadcock GH 228 Export, but I'm confused whether it will work with my table. The spindle to pivot distance for the Hadcock is 212.8 mm, which is 9 mm short, but the needle to pivot distance is specified as 228.6 mm which will make the needle overhang by 6.6 mm.

I would greatly appreciate help understanding this geometry stuff. More specifically, will this arm work with my table? Thanks in advance.

For what it's worth:

TT spindle to center of mounting hole: 222 mm
TT arm mounting diameter: 22 mm
Hadcock GH 228 spindle to pivot: 212.8 mm
Hadcock GH 228 pivot base diameter: ~15 mm
Hadcock GH 228 specs
My table specs
mingles
mosin
410 posts
 
Yours is a standard Rega hole. A Schroeder Model 2 will fit, as will a unipivot Magnepan and a bunch of other tonearms, if you decide against the Hadcock.

You may be able to squeeze by with the Hadcock, depending on the headshell slots and the particular cartridge, but it would be better if you could slot the hole for a proper fit. There are SME type mounts around that can provide an attractive solution. The ADC ASB-1 sliding base is one, but it is a rare beast, and I don't know the hole diameter without looking it up. Anyway, if you happen to be in the US, I may be able to hook you up with a guy who can make a clone of it that matches the Hadcock shaft for a halfway decent price.
mingles OP
796 posts
 
Thanks Mosin.

You're right. It's a standard Rega spindle-to-pivot distance (222 mm). About a year ago I swapped the original arm (MA-707) for a modified RB300 (Tecnoweight and Cardas wire). I used Turntable Basics protractor to align the cartridge and I'm confident it's dialed in. But the end result is that it doesn't create the kind of spaciousness I've heard on other tables. This is why I'm considering a better tonearm altogether like the Hadcock. My cart is a nude DL-103. Maybe I should stick with the original tonearm and live with it until I upgrade the whole table.

Any suggestions?
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I have two of the ADC bases left over from my days as an audio dealer. I have no idea what they are worth.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Mingles,

I was a user and a proponent of the Turntable Basics protractor for many years, for Rega style arms and others.

Recently, Audogon member Palasr helped spread the word about a new protractor offered by http://www.MintLP.com After resisting for a while (mostly out of stubbornness) I succumbed to the many positive reports and bought one.

The sonic improvement was amazing. Before you change tonearms, cartridges, I'd suggest buying one yourself. I suspect you'll hear much of what you're looking for once your cartridge is accurately aligned and the TTB, handy as it is, is not precise enough to align a cartridge accurately.

Be aware that the Mint is both tonearm and turntable specific. If you change either you'd have to order another Mint. You can read some of the many testimonials here:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1219353750&read&keyw&zzmint

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1224726626&read&keyw&zzmint

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1219724633&read&keyw&zzmint

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1214065860&read&keyw&zzmint
restock
831 posts
 
Doug,

wouldn't the Arc style protractor put the alignment off if the pivot to spindle distance isn't perfectly accurate (222mm vs. 223mm)?

On another note, the Denon DL103 is a less than perfect match to a Hadcock 228 arm, due to the low compliance of the Denon. You may try but results may be mixed. the Hadcock should work better with a higher compliance cartridge. Bill (Audiofeil) would know.

Finally, yes, the Schroeder No.2 can be mounted on a Rega (or Rega style) turntable. Mounting diameter for the No.2 arm is 20 mm for the standard No.2 and 23mm for the No.2 fw (only available with DPS table). The 20 mm version can be mounted on a standard Rega table with the mounting collar supplied with the No.2 arm.

Rene
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