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Opinions: Oracle/SME IV/ Monster Alpha2

I'm considering purchasing an Oracle turntable that is in mint condition, but have a couple of reservations...

The arm is an SME IV. Is this sypatico with the Oracle? I thought the Oracle or Graham arms were the hot ticket with this table.

The cartridge is a Monster Aplha2, which needs to be re-tipped. Is this worth re-tipping or should I just get another cartridge. I've had the "buying fever" lately if re-tipping is a viable option this will help slow down the spending (fiscal hemoraging?).

Thanks in advance.
jim
krocdoc
55 posts
 
I picked up an Oracle IV with 345 arm about 6 years ago. I couldn't be happier with it's performance. I started out with the monster alpha 2, purchased new from AA for a song, with this combination. I agree with Caterham that it is not worth retipping. I was never ablt to tame it enough to enjoy the music. I then went to the Benz glider, the .9mv one. While this sounded pretty good, the cartridge was not the best match for the arm. The physical light weight of the cartridge was such that I could just barely get the correct tracking force with the benz. Six months ago I purchased a Lyra Helikon and I have since gone to a whole new world! Everything I had been looking for in my analog rig came into focus.
By all means go for the Oracle. It is a great table and should be the last vinyl rig you buy! The only thing I have had to replace are the plastic rings in the towers which hold the rubber rings. Best of luck.
jim OP
418 posts
 
Thanks, guys. I did the deal yesterday. I'm on a tight cartridge budget for now. Too bad about the Benz Glider, as it was on my short list. The other budget cartridge I was considering, Grado Reference Sonata, is probably a no-go, too. A friend has a Reference Silver on his Alexandria and it hums like crazy. The Dynavector 20XL is also in my price range. Any others that come to mind?
jim OP
418 posts
 
P.S. Turns out that this is a MkIII with very low hours on it. In fact, unused for a long time since the stylis went South. Aside from a new belt, (just on general principle), is there anything else that should be done. Suspension and motor appear to work perefctly. Any mods or upgrades that are commonly recommended? Thanks again.
kublakhan
718 posts
 
Brooks Berdan is considered one of the masters when it comes to oracles. you might want to ask him for some free advice. he's got his own mod which runs around $300 (i think) and consists of adding a weight to the bottom of the platter to increase its mass. he's in the los angeles area 626-359-9131.
sedond
1,391 posts
 
i'd recommend oracle's mods - the sub-chassis weight, the bearing, the platter mat, & the delrin suspension upgrade. except for the motor, yule now have a mk-v. for a motor upgrade, go for the origin-live motor/power-supply upgrade - much less $$$ than the oracle motor upgrade. for a nice inexpensive cartridge, try the ortofon mc25-fl, a lo-output mc for $225 from the needle dr.

the above, w/an o-l modified rega rb250, is my current set-up, & it's great! :>) i have a lyra clavis, freshly re-tipped by symphonic line w/a vdh stylus, but the current set-up is so nice that i haven't gotten 'round to changing the cartridge...

good luck, even if ya don't do *anything* to that 'table, yule love it! ;~) doug s.

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