Going mad trying to identify this tonearm!

[BrocLuno]

Depending on the phono stage and if you can handle moving coil, I'll bet this arm will mate well with a Denon DL110 or there abouts. Something in the 1.5 ~ 2.5 grams tracking range.

 

[jwrosenthal]

I think Brunoloc is bringing the focus back to where you want it. Aside of identifying the arm, which for all our collective wisdom is still anonymous, it looks of the style and era of arm that would be of the early 70's Japanese medium complaince arm. It doesn't look light enough to me a low mass arms, hence probably wouldn't mate well with carts that are super high complaince like the Shure's, and it isn't massive enough to take a low compliance MC cart like a Denon DL 103 or some of the Orotofon MC's (I'm thinking period correct here).

But, considering it's apparent medium mass, it opens up a great world of medium complaince carts here, of which there are dozens that are excellent. If I wanted to go HOMC, that arms looks like a great match to any of the Denon's (like Brunoloc recommended), or one of my fav's the Sumiko Blue Point #2. For MM, any of the AT carts, or Ortofon 2M line would probably also be a great match (I have the 2M blue on my FR-54 arm which is about the same vintage, and mass, and it's a match made in heaven).

The downside of medium mass arms like this is that they don't do low compliance nor high compliance well (they can do it, just not as well as some others can), but what they do offer is the ability to track everything in between....which is alot!

James R.

 

[Metalownz]

Ok, guess i was wayy off. lol

 

[Big Bill]

We have a positive ID!!

:thmbsp: Someone has indentified the tonearm as being the stock tonearm from a Kenwood KD-550.

Link to pic: http://hifianalog.jino-net.ru/uploads/posts/2008-05/1209759950_k-2.jpg

Thank you all very much for your efforts!!

Truly, Bill.

 

[Big Bill]

Is that a Decca cart. hanging on that arm?.....:scratch2:

It's labeled as a DR500LC Audio Techna cartridge.

 

[Big Bill]

I think Brunoloc is bringing the focus back to where you want it. Aside of identifying the arm, which for all our collective wisdom is still anonymous, it looks of the style and era of arm that would be of the early 70's Japanese medium complaince arm. It doesn't look light enough to me a low mass arms, hence probably wouldn't mate well with carts that are super high complaince like the Shure's, and it isn't massive enough to take a low compliance MC cart like a Denon DL 103 or some of the Orotofon MC's (I'm thinking period correct here).

But, considering it's apparent medium mass, it opens up a great world of medium complaince carts here, of which there are dozens that are excellent. If I wanted to go HOMC, that arms looks like a great match to any of the Denon's (like Brunoloc recommended), or one of my fav's the Sumiko Blue Point #2. For MM, any of the AT carts, or Ortofon 2M line would probably also be a great match (I have the 2M blue on my FR-54 arm which is about the same vintage, and mass, and it's a match made in heaven).

The downside of medium mass arms like this is that they don't do low compliance nor high compliance well (they can do it, just not as well as some others can), but what they do offer is the ability to track everything in between....which is alot!

James R.

Dear James,

Does the positve ID of the tonearm allow you to narrow your cartridge recomendation?

Bill.

 

[hakaplan]

It's labeled as a DR500LC Audio Techna cartridge.

BPFisch was technically correct. It is a rebadged AT-14Sa.

 

[Big Bill]

BPFisch was technically correct. It is a rebadged AT-14Sa.

Whats this carts reputation? It sounds good with the exception of a slight hum in the right channel.

 

[Big Bill]

Cartridge recomendations...

Thanks again to everyone who posted!

I'm asking you all to please post opinions as to best cartridge matches for this tonearm on my new thread located here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=3049291#post3049291

I've posted some tonearm specs here and will appreciate any suggestions!

Thanks, Bill. :thmbsp::thmbsp:

 

[Nat]

That is not like any Empire arm I've ever seen, but it does look like an ACOS or Luster or something in that line. The early Empires were available without arms, and even the later ones came with the arm unmounted if I recall correctly. And the Empire arms at least looked very massy (and were, in fact, though less so then they appeared), and so often users of high compliance cartridges would prefer a lower mass arm.

 

[BrocLuno]

Good one ...

Whats this carts reputation? It sounds good with the exception of a slight hum in the right channel.

The right channel hum is very likely bad wiring somewhere. I'll bet the headshell leads are slightly corroded. I'd use LPGears SOAR wires and re-do it. Might be the headshell contacts - DeOxit for those. And of course it could be the leads to the amp. Clean those and make sure they are tight. Also look at your power plugs. The side with the stripe or ridge is neutral (the bigger slot on modern plugs). Make sure all your gear is plugged in the same.

Regarding the 14Sa - it's an excellent cartridge. It is the forerunner of the current AT440/MLa and that's no slouch. If the stylus is OK, I'd run it as is (after fixing the hum). If it needs a new stylus and you can fix the hum, I'd get one in a heart beat

Does your stylus look like these? http://www.turntableneedles.com/search.asp?keyword=AT14Sa&search=GO&email=&subscribe=0

If so, the 202 is the Sa (Shibata) direct replacement. Steve usually has free shipping on small parts like these

 

[Nat]

Woops -- my comment about the arm arrived after it had already been identified as a Kenwood. I've got a Kenwood KD 500, and wish I had gotten it with the arm -- I think I saved 20 bucks or something by buying it without, and put a Formula IV on it. Sounded good, but you can never have too many arms.
That arm has a good reputation, and worth using.