Micro-Seiki MA-101? Upgrading an RB101

[Ultrapotato]

Working on my old Thorens table (318) and it has an RB101 that a prior owner grafted on. It does everything right, by and large, but I do miss a removable headshell (would like to add a dedicated mono cartridge setup on a swap-out headshell). In all other aspects I love this Thorens, dead quiet, rock solid speed, added some platter damping and levelled out the suspension, plays like a champ but feel like swapping the arm.

Because the custom armboard on there is rega geometry I'm looking for a drop-in and the Micro Seiki MA-101 MK2's are pretty common, reasonably priced, but I don't have any familiarity with them beyond the MS reputation.

Anybody got any info or thoughts on how they perform? I'm not keen to follow the Rega upgrade path, I could get a line on an RB300 used but right now I'm seeing a number of those MS arms around that'll drop into a rega drilled armboard without too much drama.

The other thought is an Audiocraft AC-300 which I can get a reasonable line on, but, fear mounting a unipivot on a suspended table, even though the Thorens is less wibbly than average and still don't quite get the AC300 not having anti-skate.

Any thoughts? Any help much appreciated.

 

[sound hound]

What cartridges would you plan to use? Some mono cartridges are low compliance.

 

[Ultrapotato]

What cartridges would you plan to use? Some mono cartridges are low compliance.

Likely the AT610 or maybe the Ortofon 2M. The AT's stiffer. I have an old Virtuoso MM I inherited on the table now and would probably keep it until the stylus craps out (again) and then I dunno where to head, but, want to avoid ultra low mass arms. Grew up with a Dual that really only loved the OM20.

Just wish I could get a ref on that arm.

 

[sound hound]

You might look at this thread:

Thread 'Grado ME+ Mono Cartridge'

Jan 26, 2019

Purchased the new Grado ME+ mono cartridge a few weeks ago. The new Grado MC+ & ME+ mono cartridges are "True" mono, where your only hearing the horizontal (lateral) movement of the stylus. First I bought the new Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge. Found out after reading about this cartridge that the two channels are wired together. It's just like pushing in the mono button on your amp. So I returned it after reading about the new Grado "True" mono cartridges. Listening to the Grado ME+ for the first time, I noticed how clear sounding the recordings are. Your hearing much less...

• Ilikevinyl
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Turntables

• 

It suggests that the AT610 mono is like just combining the two stereo outputs.

 

[mr_petit]

The other thought is an Audiocraft AC-300 which I can get a reasonable line on, but, fear mounting a unipivot on a suspended table, even though the Thorens is less wibbly than average and still don't quite get the AC300 not having anti-skate.

The AC300 has normal antiskating (lever arm with weight and a string). If you're looking at one without antiskating, then that's a modded version where a previous user has removed it.
This is besides whether or not an unipivot on a subchassis table is a good idea (I think you have a point; different records have different weights so getting it 100% horizontal all of the time is impossible).
I'd be on the lookout for a Jelco SA-370h/Sumiko MMT. Japanese S shaped arm, adjustable oil dampened, SME style headshell (original headshell has azimuth adjustment), cheaper than the sa750d and lower effective mass than the sa750d (that is a heavy arm)

As for another arm, I'd try and modify your current armboard to an elongated hole and fit a generic SME style base (available in multiple diameters) like these:

Loading…

nl.aliexpress.com

Available in multiple sizes (obviously you need a tonearm with round shaft).
This also makes alignment easier: I just move the arm foreward or back in the base (much easier sliding and controllable) instead of moving the cartridge back and forth in the headshell slots.
If you don't/cant modify your current armboard, there are TD320/TD318 armboards with sme slots available.

 

[Ultrapotato]

You might look at this thread:

Thread 'Grado ME+ Mono Cartridge'

Jan 26, 2019

Purchased the new Grado ME+ mono cartridge a few weeks ago. The new Grado MC+ & ME+ mono cartridges are "True" mono, where your only hearing the horizontal (lateral) movement of the stylus. First I bought the new Audio Technica VM610 mono cartridge. Found out after reading about this cartridge that the two channels are wired together. It's just like pushing in the mono button on your amp. So I returned it after reading about the new Grado "True" mono cartridges. Listening to the Grado ME+ for the first time, I noticed how clear sounding the recordings are. Your hearing much less...

• Ilikevinyl
• Replies: 19
• Forum: Turntables

• 

It suggests that the AT610 mono is like just combining the two stereo outputs.

Ahhh now that's inneresting. I've never put a Grado on this machine, likely fine but I'll keep an eye out, thanks!

 

[Ultrapotato]

The AC300 has normal antiskating (lever arm with weight and a string). If you're looking at one without antiskating, then that's a modded version where a previous user has removed it.
This is besides whether or not an unipivot on a subchassis table is a good idea (I think you have a point; different records have different weights so getting it 100% horizontal all of the time is impossible).
I'd be on the lookout for a Jelco SA-370h/Sumiko MMT. Japanese S shaped arm, adjustable oil dampened, SME style headshell (original headshell has azimuth adjustment), cheaper than the sa750d and lower effective mass than the sa750d (that is a heavy arm)

As for another arm, I'd try and modify your current armboard to an elongated hole and fit a generic SME style base (available in multiple diameters) like these:

Loading…

nl.aliexpress.com

Available in multiple sizes (obviously you need a tonearm with round shaft).
This also makes alignment easier: I just move the arm foreward or back in the base (much easier sliding and controllable) instead of moving the cartridge back and forth in the headshell slots.
If you don't/cant modify your current armboard, there are TD320/TD318 armboards with sme slots available.

Oh hell wow, yes, now -that's- interesting. That arm base would solve a host of problems. I can deal with messing with the armboard, just be a little bit of (semi) precision work with the router, that base looks fantastic. Thank god for aliexpress! Cheers.