Souther SLA-3 Linear Tone Arm price?
- Thread starter yauchs
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I see the SLA-3 in perfect shape with all accessories, cover, and a few replacement litz wires, selling in a Audio Shop environment for about $600. Privately, say, $400, and as the unit loses the full complement of accessories, etc, the price may go to $350ish.
I've heard a number of these and their progenitors since 1982, and they don't have the slam of an SME V, the Eminent Technology, Kuzma, or Rega, but the majority of negative comments they get are from people who don't enjoy their tweaky aspect. If you enjoy gizmos, and don't mind cleaning the track once a week, take a good look at and hear the Souther or Clearaudio version. Don't run a Dynavector on these because they are so low compliance they'll mate best with something like a Kuzma Stogi. Moving coils in general are probably not ideal. In 1985, one bud of mine tried a 17 DII, it transmitted too much to the low-mass mini-arm, causing some artifacts. I think they mate well with MMs, so for those who are really interested in the all mechanical linear idea I will suggest Shure V-15 (JICO stylus if you need a new one) and DO USE THE BRUSH as it ameliorates a number of the quirks of the Souther!
I've heard a number of these and their progenitors since 1982, and they don't have the slam of an SME V, the Eminent Technology, Kuzma, or Rega, but the majority of negative comments they get are from people who don't enjoy their tweaky aspect. If you enjoy gizmos, and don't mind cleaning the track once a week, take a good look at and hear the Souther or Clearaudio version. Don't run a Dynavector on these because they are so low compliance they'll mate best with something like a Kuzma Stogi. Moving coils in general are probably not ideal. In 1985, one bud of mine tried a 17 DII, it transmitted too much to the low-mass mini-arm, causing some artifacts. I think they mate well with MMs, so for those who are really interested in the all mechanical linear idea I will suggest Shure V-15 (JICO stylus if you need a new one) and DO USE THE BRUSH as it ameliorates a number of the quirks of the Souther!
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I've had a Souther for 25 years. It's been a love-hate relationship for all that time--setup, keeping it set up, all that. Recently, it's worked very well. But do keep the track clean with a dry Q-tip. Alcohol may melt the glue holding the track to the frame.
I did some mods on this arm--adding mass with sand, etc., all advised by Lou. I also bought a thing from ClearAudio many years ago that allowed the arm to rest on to posts rather than the spindle. That's hard to set up, but it made a huge difference on my Merrill table. Another issue is getting wire that works on the thing. Anything remotely stiff fails. The wire I got with the arm works well, but doesn't hold up. I'm using some Well-Tempered stuff, and Clear Audio mades something called superwire which I may try some day if I hang on to the arm. Also, I'd use the solid arm tube.
I disagree with the advice to use a Shure cartridge or any high compliance cart on it. In fact, Lou Souther told me that over time, he came to advise lower compliance. Years ago, I tried a couple of Shure V-15's on there. They were a nightmare. Did I have it set up poorly? I don't think so, but who can look back that far? All I know is that the Shure was a tracking mess. I use a Benz Ruby, which has a compliance of 15, and it does very well.
It's a good arm for clarity, wide soundstage, imaging. Not so great for muscle, texture, that kind of stuff. If I had money, I'd dump it for something pricey, but I've never pulled the trigger, so obviously it has its attractions.
I can't imagine it costing much now. Of course, this is a late response, and you've probably bought it or rejected it by now.
I did some mods on this arm--adding mass with sand, etc., all advised by Lou. I also bought a thing from ClearAudio many years ago that allowed the arm to rest on to posts rather than the spindle. That's hard to set up, but it made a huge difference on my Merrill table. Another issue is getting wire that works on the thing. Anything remotely stiff fails. The wire I got with the arm works well, but doesn't hold up. I'm using some Well-Tempered stuff, and Clear Audio mades something called superwire which I may try some day if I hang on to the arm. Also, I'd use the solid arm tube.
I disagree with the advice to use a Shure cartridge or any high compliance cart on it. In fact, Lou Souther told me that over time, he came to advise lower compliance. Years ago, I tried a couple of Shure V-15's on there. They were a nightmare. Did I have it set up poorly? I don't think so, but who can look back that far? All I know is that the Shure was a tracking mess. I use a Benz Ruby, which has a compliance of 15, and it does very well.
It's a good arm for clarity, wide soundstage, imaging. Not so great for muscle, texture, that kind of stuff. If I had money, I'd dump it for something pricey, but I've never pulled the trigger, so obviously it has its attractions.
I can't imagine it costing much now. Of course, this is a late response, and you've probably bought it or rejected it by now.
Pio1980
AK Member
The competition is the Clearaudio TT-3 entry level LT, with a somewhat different arm stick approach quite different from Lou and typically high-grade German construction quite different from the original Tri-Quartz. Check the current price on the TT-3, $3750, a used Souther is much more approachable, especially for an experimentally-minded user. The Clearaudio Souther TQ-1 was a frank licenced copy of the Souther TriQuartz with the same tooling FWIW, one recently listed on AG for $3500.
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