2. analog
  3. 1040342501

To modify or not to mod..... that is the question.


With as much vinyl as i have been playing (4-6 hours a day) a new cartridge is looking about 6 months away or so. A DV-20x is on the table (P25) and im very satisfying with the sound as is, but the idea of spending $500+ to replace it is not very exciting!. I would like to get the OL or Expresimo mods (not sure which one ... convince me!!) to the arm and from what i read should expect a good increase in sonics. What im wondering is with the increase in the arms ability(with mods) is it enough to offset stepping down to a lower priced cartridge, say a DV- 10x4 (or equivalent). In other words, will the rb-600 with mods and 10x4 sound as good as an rb-600 and 20x without?. I realize that every cartridge has its own sound signature and they are bound to sound different, but any help with the pros and cons would be of help! ..... thanks

Bill....
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bkcme
twl
3,251 posts
 
Chazzbo, not really sure what you mean by downsizing "size wise". But the Rega and OL arms are not nearly as easy to do a VTA adjustment on, as the VPI arms. But they can be adjusted, as long as you have the adjuster, that is normally included on the modded arms. Standard Rega arms don't come with a VTA adjuster, but you can buy one separately and put it right on.

The modded Rega arms and OL arms perform very well, and can be surprising to those who have not heard them. Particularly the OL Silver, which would give any arm a run for the money. Even arms costing far more.

They are all very good value, for not alot of cash. Over-achiever, would be a good term for them.
bkcme OP
8 posts
 
Here is a question for you ...... will OL silvers arm counter weight fit under the dust cover on a P-25. If i remember right i think i saw a picture of your table (twl) and your OL arm had a Heavy weight? or at least different than the standard counter weight ... did it improve the sound ??

Bill
twl
3,251 posts
 
Bill, the OL Silver has virtually identical dimensions to the Rega arms, so I am sure it will fit right in. I have never actually tried it, but I can't see that it would be any different, as far as fitting under the dustcover. Also it will fit right into the Rega armhole, so it should be a totally "drop-in" swap. You might have to slightly enlarge the hole in the plinth with a half-round file, to accomodate the VTA adjusting collar.

I do have the Heavyweight on my OL Silver, and yes it is an improvement. A pretty good one. I was surprised, actually, at how much improvement I got, on an arm that was already very very good. I would definitely recommend getting the Heavyweight on the OL Silver arm. You must specify the OL end-stub model when ordering.
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