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Hi There,
Im looking for a tonearm to match with a Garrard 401 and a Denon DL103. I was thinking on a SME 3012 but is really expensive. So, maybe a RB300 or a SME-3009 but these are 9 inches arms and everybody says that the 401 is better with a 12" arm. But I couldnt find an affordable 12" arm. Also I was thinking is there a chance to buy a SME 3009 and adapt a DIY 12" tonearm.
Any advice will be wellcome.
Thanks
Alan
Follow Ups:
I second the ATP-12. It is probably heavy enough for the DL-103, which the 3012 II isn't. People with a lot more experience than me say the weakness of the 3009/3012 is the bass, said to be related to the knife-edge bearing.
Without the cost factor, I've gotten great results with a Scheu Tacco arm; however, probably about the same price as a 3012 (but much better looking!)
THanks for the answers.
The Schick is almost on the same price category as a used SME 3012.
The cherry tonearm doesnt looks so bad and with its weight it qualifies as a heavy mass arm. I was wondering is there anybody who has done a DIY tonearm like the shick or the SME 3012. Anyway the shick seems more simple to clone. I will check into the ATs also. But since I have a friend who is a industrial engineer and can work with metals like I can do with computers, I was wondering how difficult will be to make a shick or sme 3012 diy clone. And what will be the key issues to adress like weight etc?
Thanks
ALan
I used some bearing from ortofon and some other arm to made mine .
LT
I have no association with this company but have always been interested in what this fellow offers....my only reservation is that you need an air-pump which needs to be enclosed or on another room due to possible noise.
I must admit I would really love Thomas Schick's tonearm...
I think the best for me will be to go the diy route.
I will try to build a heavy mass 12" arm, a simple one like yours maybe also using some parts from existing ones.
Because the shick is too much money now, and I couldnt find any audio technica 12. And the cherryarm is a mistery for me.
Thanks
Alan
that is good move . try to diy one your self , if you need any help just post in this board .
LT
Just for fun, try the 12" cherry tonearm available on Audiogon for $200. I'm amazed for the price.
Don
... and see if it works for you. At $200 it's something of a no-brainer, IMHO. I love mine (on a replinthed Lenco), where it is currently replacing a JMW 10.5. The cart is a Soundsmith-retipped Denon DL-103 and the synergy is pretty amazing.
I have good result with the dynavector DV505 arm with the same combo you have.
LT
I am using a 12" Thomas Schick tonearm with a Uwe wood bodied Denon 103, very nice combination. It would probably be cheaper than a good used SME 3012. Oswald Mills Audio is the dealer for North America.
Tom
Portland, Oregon
The Schick is pretty much the same price as a used 3012. It's really not that cheap. It's well over $1000.
I would look into a 10" Audio Technica, like the ATP-12T or AT 1501, which typically sell for about $200-300. The ATP-16T is longer (and probably better), but hard to find.
After looking for a good used SME 3012 for 2 years, (the prices were usually well over $1500), the Thomas Schick arm was much less.
Tom
Portland, Oregon
I think the price of the Schick must have gone up since you got yours. It's now $1250. You can definitely find a 3012 for that price these days.
I'm sure you can take your chance off ebay and find a good 3012 for $1200.
I think a $1,250 price for the Schick arm with continuous cable run is a very good price. The Schick arm is priced rightly to entice buyers to forego the used SEM 3012 route. At least, imo, it is. I don't know which is superior but I'd go with the new arm and new bearings built by a craftsman. And I did!
Btw, here is a seller on Audiogon who is asking $1,650 for his used 3012:
My point was just that the original poster said a 3012 is too expensive for him, therefore the Schick is not a good option for him because it's just as expensive.
I'm not saying people should not get a Schick since they can get a SME 3012 for the same price. I don't know which is better.
HI,
Thanks for the comments and Yes you are right. The Shick is still too expensive for me, its very near the price point of the SME 3012 on ebay, maybe $400 less. I think I will try to go the DIY route. BUild a simple 12" heavy mass arm with a solid platform and see what happens. Because I couldnt find any audio technica 12 available at all.
Thanks
Alan
The Audio Technicas are not that hard to fine. There are none on eBay right now, but if you are willing to wait, some will show up soon enough.
If you want to try DIY, I have 4 Audio Technica AT 1005's that are in bad shape and not really usable as is -- but would make a great starting point for a DIY project. You can use the bearing, pillar and headhshell connector from it. You would only have to make the tube, counterweight and base.
I can let you have one (or more if you want) for $10 plus shipping. I won't charge anything extra for shipping, just actual postage. I'll just be happy if one is put to good use and can help someone. Email me if you're interested.
You get what you pay for.
Well, I've only heard the Schick tonearm with the amazing Oswald Mills set-up. On my SP10MKII, I much prefer an Audio Techinica ATP-12 to a SME 3012 Series II with the DL-103 (and the DL-102 for that matter.) So I think you get a lot more bang for your buck with an Audio Technica than the SME.
But if I could trade the 3012 for the Schick straight-up, I'm sure I'd be very happy with the combination.
I second the Schick. You'll be hard pressed to beat it for the money.
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