Technics SP-10 MKIIA tonearms

I think it would depend on the type cartridge one is useing.The EPA 100 would be a better match for the high end MC's that most people seem to use.The EPA 500G is rare and may perform as good or better than the EPA 100 with the low compliance MC's.Also the A250 armwand that can be used with the EPA 500 base is the same setup as the EPA 100.I own the EPA 500 with 501H and 501M armwands and use it for MM carts and think it performs well.Rewiring the armwands with solid core silver give it a nice boost in performance.I think maybe some prefer the EPA 100 due to its ability to use almost any cart without trying to find the right armwand and the removable headshell is a plus to some.I think it would be hard to say which is better it could all come down to the cart used,if that makes any sense.Anyway,I like my EPA 500 enough I just bought the one for sale here for a spare.It would be interesting to hear from someone who owns both their thoughts.

A.J. Van den Hul uses the EPA 100 everyday on his SP10. We've talked about this combination a number of times over the years. He can have whatever he wants. That's what he uses. And since he builds carts, maybe he knows something?

Jonathan

Hello Weiselk,

My SP-10 MKIIA comes with two original armboards, one for the EPA-100 and the other for an SME. I have an SME/Oracle 345 which is essentially a 309 and it does fit, although the cartridge alignment remains a little off. I think a 10-inch or longer tonearm should fare much better.

Thanks Weisselk for your input and tip on OMA boards.

The original armboard is veneered plywood in a metal frame. If you would like, we can make a slate armboard, or any other material, to replace the original. I would think the slate would be an improvement. It would be a simple matter to make a new wood armboard, and any competent woodworker could do that for you.

Jonathan

I had both the EPA 100 and the 500 arms with H,M&L wands. I found the 100 to be the better arm, more dynamic and the adjustable damping made cartridge compatibility easy. It does not take though very heavy catrs though such as the Kondo IO-j. I suspect rewiring the EPA 500 armwands might have taken them above the 100. The one to get is probably the boron version, I believe that was called the EPA 100 Mk2, or the EPA 250?