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Trying as always to improve my vinyl setup and looking at upgrading the arm. Running a rebuilt Thorens TD 124 with SME 3012/2 and Lyra Delos. What's the next step up in tonearm for someone who listens to a little bit of everything from jazz and folk to hiphop and edm. Nothing dense, that's my only rule with music. I like a 12" but only married to it because of aesthetics :)Phono stage is Herron VTPH-2 so I'm good there.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Edits: 12/26/16 12/26/16 12/26/16 12/26/16Follow Ups:
I ended up buying a new SME M2 12R, the new version of the 3012R, rewired with a single strand from cartridge tags to RCAs.
Thanks so much for your suggestions everyone!
3 lomg arms that are reasonable and will outperform ...the 3012 in aodiophool terms
1.sigwan
W
2. Wand
E. Audiocraft.
All 3 are a bit analytical.
If you want a friendlier sound... theb 3012 is bettr. Also the 3012 w is one of the most versatile arms and basically takes any cartridge.
One of which I recently purchased . Hope to have time to properly mount it this holiday, if the kids allow. Nicely made, would look good with your 124. I have the 'Banana' version.
That said, it's quite heavy and may not suit your Lyra.
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
12" Audio Origami PU7. I've never listened to one but they have a good rep and it comes in either a conventional bearing or UP.
I own and can thoroughly recommend the 12" Golden Age Audio UP. This has a fairly high effective mass though - so may not suit all carts. Works fabulously well with my Benz LP, though. It has easily adjustable VTA and azimuth ... and with the state of our A$ vs. the US$, will be relatively inexpensive for you.
See here: http://www.goldenageaudio.com.au/univector-tonearm.html
Andy
I have had excellent result with a Thomas Schick 12 inch arm. It would work very well with your table. See Dudley's review on Stereophile.
You can get the Moerch UP4 or DP6 with a 12" armwand. One of the most under rated arms out there (the UP4, which I can speak for).
That's something I hadn't thought of. I had both a UP4 and 6 on an Amazon turntable about 6 years ago. Preferred the UP4. Is it still easy to get arm wands?
They're available, but they're not cheap. Last one I saw was in the neighborhood of $435.00
SME +1
SME is my favorite tonearm manufacturer. I would upgrade to a SME 312-S or, if you have a lot of money, upgrade to a SME V-12 .
Disclaimer: I have no knowledge or connection to the eBay seller in the links above. The prices look attractive, though.
Hey Joe,
I do not know what your budget is but I bit the bullet and upgraded from a heavily modified Origin Live RB250 to a Woody String Theory 9" tonearm. I know he also makes a 12". Both have gotten rave reviews and I will tell you on my system the difference was dramatic.
I have a VPI MkIV and use a Shelter 501 mkII cartridge with a Sound Smith modified cantilever/needle upgrade. Pete Riggle the maker of this tonearm provides an excellent setup manual and is always available when questions/problems arise. Plus, he modifies the tonearm to accomodate the cartridge you plan on running.
Take your time and make sure you research the compatibility of your cartridge to your tonearm.
Good Luck,
Richard
You're closer than you think.
Is an M2-12R just an equivalent new version of the 3012R? Or does it differ in some way?
You can check out the SME M2-12. It is a straight arm and cost less than the M2-12R.
I have no personal experience with the M2-12R. The principal difference in specs vs. 3012R is ball race bearing vs. knife bearing, and an effective mass of 18gm vs. 14gm. 14gm works better for my cartridges, which range from high compliance to medium compliance. You might ask
http://www.analogtubeaudio.de/en/
He modified one of my two 3012Rs with a brass knife bearing and silver tonearm wire, and understands SME arms as well as anyone.
All I can add is that the performance of the 3012R equals my 14gm Kuzma 4PT and sounds a bit more neutral across FR.
Thanks so much Dave!
Big J
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
Can I stick with my Delos, at least for awhile with the 3012R?
The 3012R works well across a wide range of cartridge compliances. In the Lyra family my Helikon never sounded better.
When I faced that question for My Linn LP12 and it's well-used Ittok tonearm, I landed on a Funk Firm FXR-ll. It cost me around $2500 two years ago (less than half the price of the new Linn Ekos). It sounds much better than the Ittok ever did. There may have a new iteration at this point, but if that is within you budget, I suggest giving it some consideration.
http://www.thefunkfirm.co.uk/arms/fxr_II.html
I second the recommendation for the Funk arm (see my review further down the page). Mine replaced an SME Series IV on my modded Pink Triangle, and is at least as good as, and in most cases better, in every respect and on most kinds of music, than the SME.
On top of that, I can confirm that it works a dream with my Delos.
Alex
These are on sale! http://www.sorasound.com/specials/moerch-dp6-and-dp8-black-limited-edition-demo/
these too! https://www.usahifi.com/products/analog/tonearms
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