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Ariston RD 40 Opinions Please!

stereocuuple

stereocuuple

Two Channel Only
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Hi all,

We are currently listening to a Marantz TT15s table with the Clearaudio Satisfy tonearm and Clearaudio Virtuoso MM cartridge. Looking into possibly changing to an Ariston RD 40 with a Mayware unipivot arm with extremely low mass. What concerns us is whether there are any parts available, and what to expect musically from this table. We intend to use the same cartridge on the Ariston. Would like to hear some opinions.... what do you guys think?

Thanks,
Erin and Eric
 
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RD40 was available in two versions,with AC or DC motors.AC motor was the same Philips MB00,MB10 etc as used now by many turntable manufacturers including Linn,Rega etc.I don't remember what the DC motor was though.Belt for the AC motor version was a square section one,while for the DC version was flat.Both can be found today,so that won't be a problem either.RD40 is very easy to set-up and has a slightly light airy sound.Not as weighty in the bass or dynamic as some better suspended turntables.I would listen to one before taking any decision.
Why do you want to change the Marantz?
 
We are looking to get into a table with suspension and go to a MC cart. That is the biggest reason, also like the design and build of the table. I (Erin) really prefer older things and have been looking to get a high end vintage table. This is the first thing I've seen that fits that criteria and would not be a step down for us.

I would love to be able to hear one, but they're not all that common. Our second table was an Ariston QII, and I always liked the sound of it, so I tend to assume that this may be more of the same.

Thanks for your response and keep 'em coming

Erin
 
The RD40 is a better turntable than the QII.The very low mass of the Mayware arm might not be ideal with MC cartridges,unless you chose a high/medium compliance MC.Unipivots are imo usually excellent.I am using an audiocraft AC3000MC unipivot and I'm very happy with it.It is more than 25 years old and puts to shame any of the super arms I have tried so far.It actually is a super arm for me :-)
A good place to look for a RD40 is e-bay UK.
There was a similar one from Systemdeck too.I think it was called II,but not 100% sure.There is one now on e-bay UK.Auction ends in 5 days.
 
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The Ariston RD-40 is an excellent turntable. Technically equivalent to a Linn original spec LP-12. The Mayware unipivot arm is superb but not well suited to most MC cartridges. An Audio-Technica or Ortofon MC would be your best option here for a MC cartridge. Or get a Shure V-15, M 97xE, or Audio-Technica AT 440 MLa or AT 150 MLx for it.
 
Kent,

Very good advice... we are considering a low mass low output Clearaudio Concerto, rosewood body 24K coils. Lightfooted is the approach here. As stated before, Project Tube Box Se running electro-harmonix 12 AX7 goldpins as the phono stage. 60 dB of gain for MC section. Wait, I'll post a pic. I use superb isolation.

Thanks,
Erin and Eric
 
If the one you are considering has a DC motor, I would avoid it. The DC motor that Ariston used had a reputation for being gutless and not especially reliable. The AC-motored version is a fine deck and well worth buying.
 
The tubes are electro harmonix 12AX7 goldpins... I will check on whether the motor is AC or DC

Thanks,
Erin
 
well the search continues spoke with the seller and asked if the motor was AC or DC & what was the cond. of the bearings. seller then became rude and refused to answer saying he didnt have any interest in giving me answers because "this is just a low cost audio sale"

i then thanked him for wasteing my time :thumbsdn:

we are now looking at a new AVID "DIVA"

thanks for your help you guys saved erin & i a real headache.

we will most likely mount a rega rb301 arm



talk amoungst yourselves
 
IMO, the move to the Ariston would be parallel. Given the quality of your cartridge and your future cartridge aspirations, I would try to improve on the Marantz. I say this after 40 some years of wasting money on parallel moves.

Have you thought about a rebuilt Thorens 124? The Thorens may not even be an improvement over the TT-15 but it fits the retro look. NOS and after market parts, can keep this table tip top for years.
 
Too late to be of use, but the Mayware Formula IVs had variable mass, so were actually not bad choices with moving coils. Frankly, if it really was a low cost sale, I'd eat crow, apologize, and snap it up. Good set up.
 
Nat said:
Too late to be of use, but the Mayware Formula IVs had variable mass, so were actually not bad choices with moving coils. Frankly, if it really was a low cost sale, I'd eat crow, apologize, and snap it up. Good set up.
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thanks but the seller i feel was hiding something. and it was not low cost to us. a little over 6 hundered w shipping
 
stereocuuple said:
thanks but the seller i feel was hiding something. and it was not low cost to us. a little over 6 hundered w shipping
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I think you made the right move judging by what you stated on how the seller reacted :thmbsp:

I found one of these in a used record store in Brisbane over here (a rare find here), I had a look at it and thought it might be worth cleaning up and trying, but he wanted about $600 Aussie for it, I laughed and walked out.
 
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You did not state your budget for this purchase. In order to keep the same level of fidelity as your current table, a careful purchase will have to be made. Indeed you did the right thing by letting that seller walk. Who in these times thinks that $600 is "low"? Even the wealthy man holds onto $600, and stays wealthy.

Anyhow, with your TOTAL budget I will try and give you some direction.
 
stereocuuple said:
we are now looking at a new AVID "DIVA"

thanks for your help you guys saved erin & i a real headache.

we will most likely mount a rega rb301 arm
Click to expand...

Superb deck, but don't dismiss the Jelco SA-250ST arm that Avid offer as a package deal. IMHO, it's better than the Rega.
 
600 is low cost? Perhaps if that includes the shipping from whatever planet the seller is on, but otherwise, that's ridiculous.
Forget him.
 
Bumping this very old thread but I have an Ariston RD 40 and it is an excellent turntable!

Mine came from a "hamfest", so I got it for a bargain price. I replaced the tonearm with my Decca London International Arm, fantastic combination.

Remember "if it's not Scottish it's crap", Linn stole their design from fellow Scot manufacturer Ariston!

​

 
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