• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Need new tone arm for Oracle Delphi iv

sendust

sendust

Music feeds the soul
Subscriber
Hi guys, I have an Oracle Delphi with a Pierre Lurne arm , unfortunately the arm has an issue that i may not be able to resolve. I am using an Ortofon Bronze cadenza cart which is rated at a compliance of 12. Im looking to replace the arm with something that goes well with the cart. any help appreciated. pete
 
Register to hide this ad
Well it all depends on what you are willing to spend. A SME V and an Oracle is a classic combo.

With that being said, for more affordable options the Audiomods Series 5 is a hard arm to beat for the money, and will match up well in terms of mass for the Ortofon. A SME M2-9 is another good option. They are perhaps my favorite two affordable arms that are currently in production.

As far as vintage arms, I bought a Technics EPA 250 that looks to be a mighty fine arm. I also have an SAEC 427/23 that is superb in construction, and sounds very nice. The classic Japanese arms offer a lot of value for the money.

I am not sure what is wrong with your current arm, but there are some folks in Europe who might be able to service it for you.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
First ,
I always thought that was one of the coolest looking TTs.
I consider myself a noob in the high end vinyl playback realm.
I've read many Mr pig, posts and I feel you've gotten excellent advice.
Good luck with your TT
 
Which one of the Pierre Lurné arms is it? Just curious as there were a few designs. If I am right then Spindle to Pivot on that arm is 230mm? There are a couple of excellent and reasonably priced Fidelity Research arms that would fit the current arm board - FR-14, 24 (and MkII) and 54. All would be suitable mass for the sort of cart you're currently running.
 
fiddlefye said:
Which one of the Pierre Lurné arms is it? Just curious as there were a few designs. If I am right then Spindle to Pivot on that arm is 230mm? There are a couple of excellent and reasonably priced Fidelity Research arms that would fit the current arm board - FR-14, 24 (and MkII) and 54. All would be suitable mass for the sort of cart you're currently running.
Click to expand...
It appears to be the 2, but after discussion with Oracle i find the arm is not really suitable for my Bronze cadenza so i think i will move on
 
Mister Pig said:
Well it all depends on what you are willing to spend. A SME V and an Oracle is a classic combo.

With that being said, for more affordable options the Audiomods Series 5 is a hard arm to beat for the money, and will match up well in terms of mass for the Ortofon. A SME M2-9 is another good option. They are perhaps my favorite two affordable arms that are currently in production.

As far as vintage arms, I bought a Technics EPA 250 that looks to be a mighty fine arm. I also have an SAEC 427/23 that is superb in construction, and sounds very nice. The classic Japanese arms offer a lot of value for the money.

I am not sure what is wrong with your current arm, but there are some folks in Europe who might be able to service it for you.

Regards
Mister Pig
Click to expand...
I see a Technics EPA 250 for sale, im not sure what they are worth but you do recommend it , if you feel this is a good match i may just purchase it . pete
 
sendust said:
It appears to be the 2, but after discussion with Oracle i find the arm is not really suitable for my Bronze cadenza so i think i will move on
Click to expand...
Yes, the arm you have is a low mass design and so not a great match to the Bronze. Any of the arms Mr. Pig suggested (or my list) would work just fine, though.
 
I think he should first invest in a HIFI News test record to determine the actual resonance of his current arm cartridge system.

You can always add mass to a low mass arm to attempt to get it into the resonant Goldilocks or sweet zone.
 
If you haven't already, you should download the maintenance kit instructions from the Oracle website. Hidden in there are tonearm compatibility lists for all models up to the Delphi Mk IV. The EPA 250 is not listed but the EPA 100 is, I suppose that's close enough.
 
I have had both the Oracle SME 345 and an Audiomods Series 5 arm on my Oracle MK3 and in my opinion the Audiomods is a better performer and less than a 3rd of the price of the SME.

The Audiomods feels much more alive than the SME did. It reveals more detail and has more punch. Not sure if this is down to the fact that there is no break in the tonearm wires, whereas the SME had two breaks.

Here is it with the SME

IMG_5100.JPG

And now with the Audiomods

IMG_5314.JPG
 
bang4buck said:
If you haven't already, you should download the maintenance kit instructions from the Oracle website. Hidden in there are tonearm compatibility lists for all models up to the Delphi Mk IV. The EPA 250 is not listed but the EPA 100 is, I suppose that's close enough.
Click to expand...
I have the list and i did the maintenance, my problem is not knowing all of the arms it is difficult to decide which arm was best for the cart i am using, I feel some of the members are giving advice that experience has given them and now me a better insight. pete
 
The new line of Jelco Arms that replaced the 750 line sure look good. A bit higher price wise than the audio mods but not by much.
 
I always thought the Delphi suits a straight arm better than an S or J shape, but that's just my opinion.
 
I believe Oracle, or for that matter most sprung turntable manufacturers, rate arms according to the arms assembled weight and how it will interact with the tables suspension and how the suspension then needs to be tuned up for those different arm weights.

The OPs questions are based on tonearm/ cartridge issues, that is too stiff of stylus suspension for a lower mass arm.

I would use a plate of brass or lead between the cartridge and the tonearm head to increase the arms mass. The plate could be sanded to tweek the azimuth if it was not easily adjustable.

I have found that the HIFI news test LP very comparable to my 40 year old AT and Shure test LPs except for the azimuth/crosstalk test cuts.......I am still searching for a suitable replacement for my old standbys.
 
I have had the Cadenza Bronze here for extended listening sessions, and its a lovely cartridge. The very least arm I would use with it is the Audiomods Series 5. I have an Ortofon A90 on an Acos GST 801 arm, but its very heavy, and you would need to upgrade the spring kit on an Oracle to use it. But I have seen that arm on an early Oracle. The build quality on the Audiomods arm is freaking amazing, I really don't know how Jeff Spalls does it.

The Technics arms are really damn fine also for what they sell for. The EPA 100 is the most sought after one, and comes with a higher price tag. But the EPA 250 is no slouch, and has more conventional bearings in it that are more durable than the ruby ones in the EPA 100.

Then the SME M2-9 is a solid value also. But I personally would take the Audiomods.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
marcmorin said:
what issue are you having with the arm?
Click to expand...
The tone wires needed replacing but when the rca leads were removed we found the plastic plate housing the wire is fused in place . Not sure why also the tone wires seemed to be jammed or also fused. I am still trying to remove plate and wire but have realized through members not the best arm for the cart i love.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom