accuphase ac3

[hpm-1000]

Hey,

I have a Michell gyro se with a Michell technoarm and i use a denon dl304.

Now i have the chance to buy an accuphase ac3 and i Wonder if its gong to Work well with my tonearm.

My arm is 12g , the accuphase is 7.5g and has 18x10-6cm/dyne dynamic compliance.

I got an asr mini basis Riia with lots of adjusting options.

Could it be i need an heavier arm with the accuphase ? would it hjelp to get some small headshell weights? For ex.3g?

 

[neobop]

Nice cart. 18cu? Thought it was a little lower - max VTF is 2.5g.

I don't think arm mass will be a problem. The AC3 sounds good in arms like Ittock which has similar mass. You could always try it with some added weight.
Of more concern might be the tip. The cart dates back to the mid '80's and that one would be expensive to retip.
Soundsmith charges more ($450) to install a micro on an existing cantilever, and that one is a boron tube w/beryllium inside. If you think the cart has a lot of miles on it, you might have to add that to the price.
Good luck,
neo

 

[Mister Pig]

I have owned an AC1 and an AC3 a few years ago, both bought off the used market. The AC3 is well sutied to be used with a medium mass tone arm due to its compliance, which is a bit on the high side for a moving coil cartridge of that era. I used mine on a 17 gram 12" tone arm, and the resonant frequency was down around 6 hertz. With a 12 gram arm is should be a a decent amount higher.

The CAC3 mis designed by Count Hisayoshi Nakatsuka, who also did a couple of the Moster Cable cartridges, and is the owner and designer for ZYX currently. I currently own a ZYX 4D, primarily because I pleased with the AC3. Now this does not mean an AC3 is the equivilent of a current ZYX cartridge, but it does have that pedigree of voicing. The sound is very neutral, with a slight touch of warmth, solid bass, and excellent spatial properties. A hard cartridge to beat for a reasonable price.


As neobop said, a lot of this depends on the condition of the stylus, and how many hours it has left in it. When I bought mine I paid $500 for it, and it reportedly had less than 200 hours on it. But now you can buy a new in box, although several years old ZYX cartridge from a reputable seller on Ebay called 2Juki for that kind of money.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZYX-RS-30-0...897?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f445db291

The advantages being a newer design, a 0 hour cartridge, and a money back guarantee through Ebay if it does not turn out to be as advertised. It is a tough deal to beat.

Hope this helps.

Regards
Mister Pig