Tonearm compatibility and advice

Thanks for all the thoughtful replies.

Doug, I appreciate your Mint Tractor suggestion. I saw the thread when it unfolded and wondered if the hype was anywhere near reality. I'll take another look. This might be my best option right now.

Rene, thanks for pointing out the mismatch with the Hadcock and DL-103. I knew it wasn't ideal. I was planning to upgrade carts if I purchased the GH228.

Sns, very interesting. I've been spending time at a friend's house who has a VPI HW-19IV, Moerch UP-4 and Dynavector DV20XH. His playback is much smoother, more coherent and spacious than mine. In the past, he owned similar speakers and electronics as I do, so he knows my system isn't living up to its potential. It might be the DL-103. Or, as you suggest, it might be the tt/arm/cart combo. Maybe I can have him bring his table to my house so I can test this theory.

I'd like get some opinions on the RB300. I want to now if I'm wasting my time with it. I realize it's an entry level arm with flaws, but I get the impression from some folks in the forums that it's not worth the metal it was forged with. I'm exaggerating, but some folks really dislike it. When I removed the Micro Seiki MA-707 and held it in my hand next to the RB300, I couldn't help but notice how the 707 was so much more precisely engineered. The craftsmanship is leaps and bounds better than the Rega. It's been out of my system for a while and I forget how it sounds. I plan to re-install it soon.

I want to improve my vinyl system, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that. I'm open to considering anything... a new arm, a new cart, a new table. But maybe I should start with reinstalling the MA-707 and getting a Mint Tractor.

The low compliance DL 103 would also be a poor match with the afore-suggested Magnepan Unipivot.

Rene,

The Mint is indeed designed for an arm mounted at the designed pivot-to-spindle distance, and is useless for any other distance. My OL Silver (Rega clone) was designed for 222mm. Regas can be mounted at that distance AFAIK. Whether it would be optimal with a Mint I'd leave up to Yip (the maker). He'd give honest advice.

I agree the Denon 103 is poorly suited for a Hadcock. Good observation. Frankly, if air and spaciousness were high on my list of sonic goals a Denon 103 wouldn't be among the first cartridges I'd choose. On the right arm it's a great performer, especially for the money, but its strengths lie elsewhere.

Mingles,

Another (cheap) tweak to consider for a Rega/103 combo is the Strange Tonearm Tweak. This ingenious device, which you can DIY for about $5, made my $1K OL Silver sound like a $3K tonearm. Even better, the tweak was designed specifically for a Denon 103/Rega combination.

Nothing you can do will give you as much bang for your buck, and it's fun and highly educational too. I can't recommend that old discussion thread strongly enough. The author's enthusiasm and knowledge are what pulled me back into vinyl (and that's cost me about $20K, so be careful who you listen to!).

Frankly, if air and spaciousness were high on my list of sonic goals a Denon 103 wouldn't be among the first cartridges I'd choose.

Doug, with spaciousness in mind, using an RB300, what cartridges would you consider in the less than $600 category.

If you like Denon, the 304 is thought by many overseas to be their best cart. in many respects. It is compatable with the Rega arm [I use one in my SME IV on a Basis Ovation] and should be around your price range.It is a very good cartridge.