Vinyl Asylum

Welcome Licorice Pizza (LP) lovers! Setup guides and Vinyl FAQ.

Return to Vinyl Asylum

Message Sort: Post Order or Asylum Reverse Threaded

Garrard 301 with mono Ortofon RK309/type C cartridge

172.56.22.210
Posted on August 20, 2014 at 14:12:45
ThermionicAllure
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: New England
Joined: January 7, 2009



I have acquired a 301 in good working order which is fitted with mono RK309 arm. Is the RK309 a good arm and would modifying it for stereo use be worthwhile?

 

Hide full thread outline!
    ...
Opinions sought on Ortofon S-212, posted on August 21, 2014 at 02:33:09
ThermionicAllure
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: New England
Joined: January 7, 2009



My original post misidentified the arm, which I believe is an S212.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Ortofon S-212, posted on August 21, 2014 at 06:50:29
zako
Audiophile

Posts: 935
Location: Mo.
Joined: March 29, 2004
 OF COURSE...

 

RE: Opinions sought on Ortofon S-212, posted on August 21, 2014 at 07:33:46
ThermionicAllure
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: New England
Joined: January 7, 2009
 I've sought advice here regarding this particular turntable and arm. As this is a mono arm and my intended use is stereo playback, can the arm be modified for stereo? I don't understand your reply. Thank you.

 

RE: Opinions sought on Ortofon S-212, posted on August 21, 2014 at 09:18:47
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I no expert in Ortofon arms, but a quick internet search tells me that this is a top notch, sought after mono arm. There are companies that will rebuild it as such. If it were mine I would keep it mono and use it for my large collection of mono records. If I had to have a stereo are, I would sell it and buy the stereo arm that I wanted. If you convert it, I suspect it will be less valuable then if you left it alone. (Experts please chime in if I am wrong.) You a beautiful piece of classic technology now. If you convert it, you will have a kludge. (JMNSHO, YMMV!)

Dave

 

RE: Opinions sought on Ortofon S-212, posted on August 21, 2014 at 21:04:48
cactuscowboy@bresnan.net
Audiophile

Posts: 7738
Location: Powell, Wyoming
Joined: July 23, 2007
 That tonearm is not unique to the Garrard turntable, so I would not agree that swapping it out for a different tonearm would necessarily hurt value or result in a "kludge." That said, it does have charm as a vintage piece of gear as it is.

If I owned this turntable/tonearm combo and was going to play only stereo discs? I'd sell that mono tonearm and buy another better suited for stereo playback.

 

better suited for stereo playback!, posted on August 22, 2014 at 10:22:45
M3 lover
Audiophile

Posts: 6604
Location: SW Mich
Joined: May 29, 2005
Contributor
  Since: July 4, 2007
 I agree with cactus. I'm sure this arm could be rewired for stereo, but would it then be the best choice for a modern stereo cartridge? The old issue of arm mass matching with cartridge compliance comes in to play.

So irrespective of maintaining a "vintage" arm, I'd first consider what cartridge (specific model or at least type) I might want to use, then look for an appropriate arm to best match that.

"The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing, if you can fake that you've got it made." Groucho

 

That is not what I said!, posted on August 22, 2014 at 10:28:37
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 I am recommending that you put a different tonearm on the Garrard. I said your should sell the Ortofon S-212 and by a stereo arm rather than hack into the Ortofon. When I said "kludge" I was referring to the Ortofon S-212 converted to stereo, not a Garrard with a different tonearm. You can but a very good stereo tonearm for the price of an S-212. I agree that it would not hurt the value of the Garrard to change the tonearm. Depending on what arm you chose, it could greatly enhance the value.

Dave

 

I have grown fond of a modded 12" AS-212, posted on August 22, 2014 at 13:20:48
nocoastjazz@gmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 47
Location: Northern Illinois
Joined: July 12, 2011
 My main table is a Lenco L78/PTP4 in a DIY plywood plinth I put together several years ago. After going through several tonearms (JMW 9, ATP-12T, Sumiko) I tried an Ortofon AS-212 - a stock 9" tonearm - which had been modified by an ebay seller - alfredgerd1602.

The arm was lengthened to an effective length of 12" with a new arm tube, with new wiring and dampening materials. He fabricated two counterweights from brass and replaced the knife bearing with a new brass one. Also included stock tonearm cable - nothing fancy but it works well.

I bought this tonearm for a friend who wanted help setting up a Garrard 301 and pairing it with a 12" tonearm. As you know, 12" tonearms can be pricey and or rare and may not always perform up to your standards without some work.

I liked the tonearm so much I bought 2 more - one for my Lenco and another I am mounting on a Thorens 124 for another friend. I had a chance to compare this tonearm to a SME 3012 with a Garrard 301. Used the same cart and headshell. I thought the Ortofon outperformed the SME 3012.

 

RE: Garrard 301 with mono Ortofon RK309/type C cartridge, posted on August 23, 2014 at 22:26:37
ThermionicAllure
Audiophile

Posts: 41
Location: New England
Joined: January 7, 2009
 I have decided to sell the mono arm and replace with a stereo arm.

The 301 was originally mounted in a drawer of some sort, so will need a new plinth as well.

Thanks to all for the kind advice.

 

Thanks for the clarification..., posted on August 24, 2014 at 07:34:15
cactuscowboy@bresnan.net
Audiophile

Posts: 7738
Location: Powell, Wyoming
Joined: July 23, 2007
 ...I did misinterpret your previous post.

 

New DIN cable for Audio Technica ATP-12T tonearm?, posted on August 25, 2014 at 11:58:15
efhjr
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Location: San Antonio, TX
Joined: May 9, 2001
 I had the same tonearm and cartridge when I acquired my cream Garrard 301. I sold them both for enough cash to buy two new tonearms, one for stereo and one for mono, and good DIN cables.

Gene Hopstetter -- San Antonio, TX

 

Page processed in 0.020 seconds.

[ Top Top of Page ] [ Contact Us ] [ Support/Wish List ] [ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ General ] [ Speakers ] [ Tubes ] [ Vinyl ] [ Digital ] [ Hi-Rez ] [ Video Asylum ] [ Cables ] [ Tweaks/DIY ] [ Music ] [ Films ]