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Micro Max 282 vs. Exclusive EA-10

I have mounted an Exclusive EA-10 on my Micro (I added a pic to my system), one of the most expensive Japanese tonearms, maybe a little underrated. The tonearm and the tubes are re-wired by Ikeda silver wire. The EA-10 reminds me very much of the Max 282, most properly it was built by Micro Seiki. Does anybody know if this is true?
thuchan
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Daniel,
How difficult is it to rewire the EA-10/EA-3 armwands? The EA-3 straight armwands have a small screw near the connector which looks like it could be used to undo the connector, but given the size, it looks like a very small-tipped soldering iron would be required. I assume the wiring inside the main body of the arm (i.e. the part other than the armwand) is left as-is?
opus111
58 posts
 
Never heard the EA-10 but having owed both Max 282 and 237 multiple times, I'd say it is one of the worst sounding tonearms I have heard. Bright and sterile would be the right words to describe the sonic character. I would've still kept them if they sounded half as good as they looked.

FR-64 sounds 10X better at lower used price.
dertonarm
1,042 posts
 
Dear Travis, not easy, but if you have any experience, good tools and not too much coffee the day, it will be a work of 3-4 hours. You need a SMD-tip for the solder iron, very precise temperature regulation and very small gauge solder.
The main body can be re-wired too - I've made it once ...;-) .... not fun, not easy and requiring quite some time and patience.
Cheers,
D.
t_bone
1,182 posts
 
Opus111,
I am sorry they did not work for you. My experience has been different.

Thanks Daniel,
I have little soldering experience, almost no tools, but can avoid coffee when necessary. :^)
thuchan OP
1,009 posts
 
Opus 111,
i wonder a little about your assessment of the Max. I do remember when having owned a 237 some fifteen years ago and when i compared it with a modern arm it lacked some transparence and push. Neverheless it provided a good soundstage. I sold it due to changing my system. I always thought how might it have sounded with a good internal wiring.

When I was offered the EA-10 - and it reminded me of the Max by good reasons - the silver-rewiring had very good results. So I started the next project with the Max 282. Gosh - what a difference, and what kind of
improvement. Of course some time had passed since the "old assessments".

You need to hear a rewired Max and you will change your opinion at the same moment I am sure. Try it!

Best & Fun Only - Thuchan
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