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Rebuilding LP12; which tone arm

I am in the process of rebuilding a Linn LP12.I have replaced the sub chassis suspension springs, refinished the chassis and built a DC motor controller using a Maxon motor. It is all coming together really nicely and i am at a junction on where to go on tonearms.
Originally i had planned to built an air tangent tonearm. i have several of the pieces but somehow lack the motivation to follow through. I also have a Rega RB300 that i rewired and added VTA adjustment that i can install. I plan on using a Denon 103 cartridge (Zu rebuild). Should i install the RB300 or sell it and use the funds towards purchasing an Ittok.
I have become more seriously aware of the 80/20 principal where i believe one can achieve 80% of the desired end result with 20% of effort / funds. It is the last 20% of result that can cause one to spend the remaining 80% of funds.
In light of all of this what tonearm would you install?
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jlin
57 posts
 
I think you're fine with a rewired RB-300. I would agree with a counterweight mod - a number of them you can install yourself. I had a rewired RB-300 with Origin Live mod which I preferred the the Linn Ittok that came with my LP-12. Specifically, I thought the Ittok had a spurious brightness compared to the Rega. Alternatively the Ittok is livelier than the Rega. I haven't had exprience with the Michell Technoweight but it's had a number of good reviews.

The OEM Moth arms are actually the RB-250 which is the down market arm from the RB-300 you already have.
55dok
162 posts
 
I have not used my Linn LP12 for some time. However, When it was properly set up with a Dynavector 505 arm and Dynavector ruby MC cartridge it sounded wonderful to me.
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stonedeaf
101 posts
 
Vote for RB-300 -only drawback to this arm is having to fool around with arm pillar washers to adjust VTA - if you've beaten that problem -I'd go for it.For me - the two best cartridges I used in it were a Linn Asaka and several different replaceable stylus Grado's.
chashmal
605 posts
 
I have had an RB300 on my LP12 for years and I love it.

Yes, the ARO would be better, but it is a lot of money. For the price the Rega has no real peers. I have reconciled myself to keep it simply because I enjoy it immensely. The fact that I am happy to live with it is a great testament.
roblanger
117 posts
 
I'll be fitting a Tecnoarm to my LP-12 this week.....very similar to your RB300 arm.

Is the Zu/Denon a good match with the Rega arm in terms of compliance, etc...?
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