RB 900 tweaking

Twl's comments are "on target", and I agree with them. The only point I'd emphasize is that you should consider the addition of the Expressimo Audio Heavyweight counterweight as MANDATORY, not optional. I have rarely been impressed by "tweaks", but I was absolutely astounded by the improvement that this counterweight made to my RB-900. The Heavyweight is the best "tweak" I've ever added to my system.

As far as I know, there is no after-market VTA collar that will work with the RB-900, due to the arm's mounting base. (The VTA collars that I've seen fit only the RB-300 and RB-600.) You can, however, use spacers (Rega supplies stainless steel washers) to raise the base of the tonearm. I found that my RB-900 (recently replaced with the RB-1000) sounded better with the rear of the tonearm about 1 mm lower than the headshell end, but that may be somewhat dependent on the cartridge you use.

David, the Rega, and the OL arms(at least the Silver that I have) have microphonic finger-lifts. I have shrunk about a 1/2" length of heat-shrink tubing onto the finger-lift of my OL Silver.

This is a known tweak for years on the Rega arms.

Tom, I understood that you were speaking about Rega-based arms regarding the microphonic lift. My question is whether you, or others, find this an issue with other arms, or if it is a peculiarity to Rega arms.

David, I don't know of any other generalities regarding this. I'd go on a case-by-case basis. I think that the long unsupported thin piece that is usually the shape of a finger-lift is likely to be exciteable by resonance in many cases.

I no longer have the stock fingerlift for the RB 900 it was replaced with a fingerlift from a Naim Aro arm and I think it is much better.

The HiFi mod is worth the money too. I would not want to be without it. The improvement was obvious!