Technics SP-10 MKIIA tonearms

Downunder, I don't think the mating of a tonearm to a turntable is nearly as critical as mating a tonearm to a cartridge of choice. So, my response to your question would be to choose between the EPA and the Graham based on the cartridge preference. As to a head to head comparison between the EPA 100Mk2 and the Graham Phantom, one's innate bias would lead one to think that the Phantom might be superior in most ways, since it is a modern design beautifully crafted. But at one point in history, the same could be said of the EPA 100Mk2. So you just have to try both and choose, if your cartridge mates equally well with both. One practical point: We know the EPA 100Mk2 will mount on your Technics base; just make sure the Phantom will also fit. There is some space limitation imposed by the square escutcheon that surrounds the platter of the SP10 series. My Triplanar is a poor fit on my SP10 Mk3, for one example, because the Triplanar has the VTA adjust column to the left of its pivot point, and its base conflicts with that escutcheon. I can make it work, but the Triplanar must be mounted far forward on the plinth and at rest it extends over the LP surface. Not good. This is also a problem for the 9-inch Reed and others with similar design.

Dear Downunder: The Technics EPA100MK2 is IMHO even today an " unbeatable " tonearm design, a piece of real art design.

Technics knew very well how fulfil the cartridge needs that unfortunatelly today we can say the same from other tonearm designs.

It is a static balanced design for good reasons that the designers of dynamic balanced tonearms can't understand it even today. Build material is unique: boron as the cartridge cantilever. Comer with a wise dynamic damping mechanism unique in the audio industry. For a gimbal tonearm bearing design its vertical/horizontal friction is lower than 5mg: unbeatable till today. Its VTA adjustement on the fly mechanism is the best ever designed and an " orgasm " to use it.

Been a removable headshell design contribute to its versatility with almost any cartridge. The Technics MK2 headshell was made from boron too.

Could be other tonearms that are better " looking " ones but I think can't beats it.

If the unit you are looking for is in good operation condition and flawless in any way then I think the choose for it is a " close eyes " one.

Btw, your 100MK4 will make you " cry " of hapiness when you hear it mounted in the MK2.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Hi Lencotweaker, Lewm , Raul

There is a guy I know in Australia who has 3 of the SL1000mk3. One is the D version that has the straight arm P mount especially made for the EPC1000mk4. The guy bought a epcmk4, unfortunately the suspension collapsed. He is selling this one. I don't want the P mount arm, even thou it would match my mk4 perfectly, until it wears out.

He was going to sell me one of his mk2 tonearmns and give me another blank arm board, hence the question re the Phantom as I all ready own one. The sp10 has a obvious scratch on it and a few other marks, the plinth looks nice and he said the tonearm is 9/10. All works perfectly. He can only spare a mk1 headshell.

It is a concern that heavy carts can't really be used as the Technics headshell is 9.5 GMs and it can only take 10gm cart on the specs. Of course my mk4 cart would be on it for a while :-)

Still, it is not inexpensive, so at this point will probably pass as I already spend way too much $$ on this hobby of ours.
Also a bit concerned with the potential to have to replace caps etc, etc. Even thou the guy has never had any issues.

Cheers

Unfortunately, electrolytic capacitors will always fail with age, usually anywhere from 10 to 25 years, depending upon use and abuse. It's "the law". But fortunately, modern electrolytics are superior to the ones that were made when the Mk3 was built, and they are very cheap compared to the value of the turntable. In the US, all the capacitors needed can probably be purchased for around $30, from Digikey or Mouser, good quality ones like Panasonic, Nichicon, ELNA Silmic. Removing the old capacitors and replacing them with new is only a matter of soldering skill. No thought is necessary, since you would simply be replacing like with like. I think you can find a service manual on Vinyl Engine. If not, I may have a copy in pdf format. It contains a parts list which can be used as a guide to ordering replacement capacitors.

If you can get hold of a mk3 at a sensible price then at the very least it's an investment given the way mk3 prices are going. Would make a very lovely table with a bit of TLC.