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UK perspective

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In Reply to: RE: why??? don't reviewers review AFFORDABLE tonearms? posted by hifitommy on March 08, 2014 at 10:59:05

Hi
Here in the UK, the market in affordable arms is dominated by Rega, as it has been for many years. Of the recent models, the RB303 (about $580-590 in the UK - the US price would be higher once imported, I imagine) was much reviewed when it came out. The newer RB808 (almost exactly $1000 in the UK) hasn't been AFAIK, but then most UK reviews of Rega products these days are either of the new range of complete turntables or the electronics.
Then there are the Origin Live arms, which I believe are also available in North America. These used to be modified Rega designs, but are no longer (Rega stopped supplying parts, for one thing). The Alliance, Onyx and Silver arms would count as affordable in this context, and have all been reviewed in the UK press (I use an Onyx myself).
It's a shame the Jelco arms don't get the exposure and, it seems, market presence they deserve in the US and Canada, but they are much respected over here, and have frequently been reviewed, as have the Ortofon OEM variants.
Of course, the UK hi fi market is much smaller than the US, Germany and Japan (for example), which has serious impact on the pricing structures and marketing strategies in the industry.
Mark

Edits: 03/09/14

Follow Ups:

RE: UK perspective - markinuk 11:54:23 03/09/14 (0)
Hi
True, the lack of VTA adjustment on a Rega can be tiresome, but there is a wide range of aftermarket devices to add this facility fairly inexpensively. This has even proved possible with the later 3-point Rega mounting.
The Origin Live arms have VTA adjustment built-in, fortunately, as do the Jelco arms, of course.
Mark

Edits: 03/09/14
perspective - hifitommy 10:35:28 03/09/14 (3)
no argument, the Rega is affordable and excellent but there in no vertical adjustment for VTA and the shimming process is time consuming. this could be more discouraging to the beginner.

...regards...tr
- RE: perspective - Travis 11:00:51 03/09/14 (2)
  Why couldn't you set it and forget it?
  
  Oops, audiophiles.
  
  "If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok
  - I'm NOT an audiophile - Curious 13:01:03 03/09/14 (1)
    I love the gear, yes. And VTA (especially on the fly) is important to me because I use multiple carts, and I use them often. And, I play records that are pretty thin and pretty thick. And when you're using a cart like an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, you want VTA to be right. Incorrect tracking angle means tracking too heavy of too lightly, and that's not good for stylus life.
    
    "Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."
    - RE: I'm NOT an audiophile - Travis 15:23:41 03/09/14 (0)
      I apologize for calling anyone that dreaded name.
      
      I'm REALLY not an audiophile since I only use one cartridge.
      
      "If people don't want to come, nothing will stop them" - Sol Hurok

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