2. analog
  3. 1259685684

Arm upgrade for Gyrodec SE, could use some help

Hi All,
I have a modest rig that includes:

- JA Michell Gyrodec SE (~$2400)
- Benz L0.4 MC cartridge (~$1250)
- Alphason HR-100S MCS tonearm (unknown)
- Sonic Frontiers SF-Phono1 Phono stage (~$2000)

It seems to me that the old Alphason "S" curved arm is a bit of a weak link at this point (any opinions on that assertion?), so I've been thinking about an upgrade. There are several options, and here is where I could use an opinion or two:

1) JA Michell TecnoArm - rebuilt RB-250, is it worth $1100?

2) RB-300 - probably the most common arm on Gyrodecs, and at $500 seems to be a reasonable price point. Better than the Alphason?

3) RB-700 - don't know much about it, but in the price range of the TecnoArm.

4) JWM-9T - Not sure it will fit, but beautiful arm that is well regarded ($2100)

5) SME 309 - Similar price point to the JWM, but again, will this work well in my system?

so that is my situation, I'd appreciate any opinions and recommendations you have!

Thanks,

brent

===============
Rest of system:

DK MkII Integrated
SFCD-1 CD player
Silverline Sonata III speakers (Thanks Grant!)
AU-24 / Harmonic Tech / Cardas
janae1
maclogan
49 posts
 
For what it is worth, the Michell TecnoArm is miles better than a stock Rega RB300. Expensive? It is the equal to the SME IV on a Gyrodec, and the latter costs 4-6 times as much.

I haven't heard any of the other arms suggested so I can't comment further.
sgunther
187 posts
 
I have the gyrodec se with a rb300 with michell tecno weight and incognito wire and soundsmith smmc-1 cartridge. Sounds very good but as always looking for something better. I am considering the Trans-fi linear tracking arm. It look and sound very interesting at a somewhat reasonable price in this hobby. Google it and look at audiogon discussion forum. Doesn't address your question but provides something else to consider.
daverz
487 posts
 
I started out with an Incognito rewired RB300 on my Gyrodec and moved to a used SME309. The SME is much more refined and quiet, but the RB300 had a certain beefy, solid quality that I can imagine some people preferring. I paid $1100 for the 309 and think it's one of the best analog purchases I ever made.

Note that the SME alignment method work best with cartridges with a 9.5mm mouting hole to stylus distance. I think this *should* work OK with the Benz, but I remember my Benz L2 tracking better on the RB300 (I "downgraded" to an AT33PTG, which I love, even though it's a little too compliant for the SME).
janae1 OP
5 posts
 
All - thanks very much for your responses, frankly I had no idea the Alphason was such a great arm! I may look at upgrading the cartridge at some point, but great feedback...

brent
More to discover