Picking up an Ariston RD110 SL, suggested tonearms

[mjw21a]

Hey guys, I'm picking up an Arison RD110 SL without tonearm tomorrow night and wanted to get some advice on which (inexpensive) tonearm would work well on it for using a Grado Reference Platinum 1 and Denon DL103 cartridges.

From what little I've been able to find on Ariston turntables many parts are interchangeable with the Linn LP12 including tonearms. I suspect longer arms such as the Jelco SA-750 simply won't fit though I don't know for sure. It's more expensive than I'd like to spend though if it were a superior choice I'd save for it.

I'm currently looking at these three tonearms:

Denon DP-70: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/252478411702?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Rega RB300: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/222229874893?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Jelco SA-370H: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Jelco-SA...hash=item1c6deddaa7:m:mFuWGlqgy87Qs-pG5EL7Ghg

I'm thinking that the Denon and Jelco arms might be a better choice with respect to using my Denon DL103 cart whereas the Rega RB300 is better with higher compliance carts. I know the Rega can be upgraded more though to be honest I don't know if the rest of my system is at a level where such upgrades would be overly noticeable..... With some things I'm a perfectionist, and with others I'm a close enough is good enough kind of guy.

Both Denon and Jelco arms are oil damped though the Denon is the only tonearm listed which can claim "on the fly VTA adjustment". It looks to be a real quality tonearm so I'm leaning towards this despite not knowing about compatibility on the Ariston.

Each arm has a different effective length and I don't know how that affects compatibility.

 

[marcmorin]

The Grado will not like the Jelco .......at all......... the 103 should be fine with it.
on the fly vta adjustment doesn't happen with a sprung suspension table, not that it isn't easier than set screws and such.

 

[mjw21a]

The Grado will not like the Jelco .......at all......... the 103 should be fine with it.
on the fly vta adjustment doesn't happen with a sprung suspension table, not that it isn't easier than set screws and such.

Hmmm, that rules out the Jelco then. I do think the Denon arm would be easier to live with vs the Rega as I swap carts a fair bit. It should be easier to set up and adjust....

 

[sreten]

Hi,

Make sure the Denon arm base will fit inside the arm cutout.

rgds, sreten.

 

[grottyash]

Rega is the best arm you've listed. If you want to swap headshells, then try SME. They usually go well with Linn so should with Ariston..

 

[mjw21a]

Hi,

Make sure the Denon arm base will fit inside the arm cutout.

rgds, sreten.

Hmmmm, I'll measure it once I pick the table up. A good tip. Thanks sreten

Rega is the best arm you've listed. If you want to swap headshells, then try SME. They usually go well with Linn so should with Ariston..

Hmmmm, whats a good medium mass SME that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? From what I've seen they're all a touch on the expensive side..... Might be worthwhile getting something cheaper in the meantime and getting an SME as a future upgrade.

 

[Bugler]

The Grado will not like the Jelco .......at all......... the 103 should be fine with it.

Why is that? I'm listening to a Grado Gold1 on the Jelco SA-370H as I type this and it sounds awesome with all genres I've tried. Jazz, classical and classic rock. I also have a Grado Blue1 mounted on an SME type headshell (probably not the best idea) that I use for used records and it also sounds awesome.

 

[mjw21a]

Ah, that's precisely the first hand info I'm after. If your Grado sounds good in it, and it's also a good match for my DL103 it's a front line contender for me.

Unfortunately the Denon arm is a bit of an unknown which means no one seems to know anything about it. Particularly as the table it's off was only available in Japan. Sadly I'm a suckered for unknown items. Might sway me towards it rather than away from it. It's from one of Denons top turntables after all

Then again, in the looks department the Jelco and Rega arms are a better match for this table

 

[grottyash]

Rega also go well with Grado, by the way, but I've only tried it with the Gold 1. I'm not a Grado fan, by the way. The 103 I have but have yet to try it in a suitable arm - won't fit the Akito, and totally wrong for the fixed-head SME 3009 improved I have. I might try it the the Clearaudio, but the present cartridge doesn't need replacing yet.

 

[mjw21a]

Rega also go well with Grado, by the way, but I've only tried it with the Gold 1. I'm not a Grado fan, by the way. The 103 I have but have yet to try it in a suitable arm - won't fit the Akito, and totally wrong for the fixed-head SME 3009 improved I have. I might try it the the Clearaudio, but the present cartridge doesn't need replacing yet.

I'm leaning towards the Denon DP-70 arm and Jelco SA-370 arm presently. Just asking the seller about the width of the mounting plate for the Denon arm as it looks rather wide. I just have this feeling that its probably the best arm I can afford and the counterweight looks more substantial than the one on the Jelco SA-370H. I My two favourite cartridges are my mahogany bodied DL103 (sounds great on a medium weight tonearm my JVC QL7 has a Victor UA-5045) and Grado Reference Platinum 1.

The Denon is my preferred cart for critical listening on my main system in the living room. Much better detail, sense of air, amazing bass etc, its a more neautral cart than the Grado which is important as that system is a little euphonic. I like the idea of being able to use this on my secondary system from time to time for comparison sake though which is my main requirement for a medium mass tonearm.... The chain for this is JVC QL7 w/ Denon DL103 > Jensen Copper Foil SUT > Yaqin MS23b > upgraded Yaqin MC10T > B&W DM16 speakers + Wharfedale SW150 sub. I've an EAR 834P copy coming to replace the Yaqin MS24B which is moving to my secondary system. I use a modded Shure SC35C as a backup cart on this.

The Grado Reference Platinum 1(microtracer retip) on the other hand has big room filling sound. Certainly not the last word in detail though it balances out my secondary system rather well as its too neutral and detailed for my taste. The chain for this used to be (sold the phono stage and turntable) Toshiba SR150C w/ Grado Reference Platinum 1 > Little Bear T10 Pro v2.6 > Oldchen 12W SEP amp > Dayton USA PS220-8 Full Range Point Source speakers in ported enclosures. I also use a Denon DL303 (shibata retip) with Ortofon T5 SUT and Empire 4000 D/I in this system. Essentially the Ariston 110 SL is replacing the Toshiba and should bring it up to parity with my main system though with a different sound

Having said that, the Empire cart has never sounded as good as on previous Dual 1228 or Denon DP300F turntables I had. It really loved ultra light tonearms. It could compete with my DL103 with those tables, and running solid state gear as well rather than tubes.

 

[mjw21a]

Ah god, leaning back towards the Rega again now. Just thinking that the other two tonearms might not have been designed with a suspended table in mind. At least the Rega is a tried and proven combo. I'm thinking of the Ariston RD110 SL as a poor mans Linn LP12. Plenty of LP12 users with Rega arms

Anyways. Will have to decide between the Jelco and Rega. At least we've one crossed out. Someone over on Stereonet mentioned that an Arison RD110 SL with a Hadcock arm sounds amazing.... Then again, it would want to. Those are some really expensive arms. Maybe I can get the Rega and then start saving for the Hadcock.

EDIT: Nope, done some more reading and in another thread a chap got good results running the Jelco SA-370H with a Linn LP12 and Benz Micro Glider. Based on Buglers findings with his Grado Gold, I think this is the tonearm for me. Thanks for all your advice and helping me come to a decision guys. I should be able to save enough for this in the next few weeks. Should order it around the time my EAR 834P copy arrives. Will then get to upgrade volume pots and caps in that sucker too

 

[marcmorin]

Why is that? I'm listening to a Grado Gold1 on the Jelco SA-370H as I type this and it sounds awesome with all genres I've tried. Jazz, classical and classic rock. I also have a Grado Blue1 mounted on an SME type headshell (probably not the best idea) that I use for used records and it also sounds awesome.

my understanding is the 370 is more massive than the 250SA and the 750's. Couldn't get a grado to like any of the jelco arms I've tried from "house branded" through the Roksan Tabriz

 

[mjw21a]

Which Grado are you using Marcmorin? Are you running a fixed or suspended deck? Belt, idler or direct drive?

Bugler, which turntable are you running? Is it a suspended deck like my Ariston? Belt, idler or direct drive?

I've found reference to a Lin LP12 user successfully using a SA-370H with a Benz Micro Glider..... I'm thinking I'm done with choices unless further information shows a mismatch here.

 

[savatage1973]

Why no love for a Linn arm here?

 

[marcmorin]

Which Grado are you using Marcmorin? Are you running a fixed or suspended deck? Belt, idler or direct drive?

Bugler, which turntable are you running? Is it a suspended deck like my Ariston? Belt, idler or direct drive?

I've found reference to a Lin LP12 user successfully using a SA-370H with a Benz Micro Glider..... I'm thinking I'm done with choices unless further information shows a mismatch here.

I have multiple grado carts, running on suspended belt drives. Sonata-1 mounted on Linn Akito on my ES-1, MCZ or 10MR (most of the time) mounted in my modded XA arm

 

[mjw21a]

Why no love for a Linn arm here?

For me I can answer that with one word: Price.

The US dollar is worth a fair bit more than the Australian so more than I want to pay. I'm cheap.

I have multiple grado carts, running on suspended belt drives. Sonata-1 mounted on Linn Akito on my ES-1, MCZ or 10MR (most of the time) mounted in my modded XA arm

Hmmmm. A little vexing. I think I'll get the Jelco as a temporary arm and then save for a Hadcock. The Ariston RD110 SL is meant to be quite laid back, so a more energetic arm might just balance it out a bit

 

[marcmorin]

For me I can answer that with one word: Price.

The US dollar is worth a fair bit more than the Australian so more than I want to pay. I'm cheap.



Hmmmm. A little vexing. I think I'll get the Jelco as a temporary arm and then save for a Hadcock. The Ariston RD110 SL is meant to be quite laid back, so a more energetic arm might just balance it out a bit

pssssssssssst Alphason

 

[Dneprrider]

Earlier in the discusssion a Hadcock tonearm was mentioned. Another arm similar to the Hadcock GH228 is the Mayware. I am now using a unipivot Mayware PLS4/D mklll Formula 4 Tonearm on my RD11. I really like the sound and this is a great combination if you want to run high compliance cartridges. I had to make a new armboard for the Mayware as the pivot to spindle distance was different. Make sure any arm you do decide on can be accommodated on your RD110SL armboard.

I also have a GH228 which I used previously on an LP12. Both of these unipivots are nice and I find the Mayware easier to setup if that is of concern. On another RD11, which I sold a few years ago, I used both an Rega RB250 and RB300 at different times. They were also a good combination on the RD11. I would expect the same for the RD110SL.

 

[mjw21a]

Quite a stunning looking combination also. I think I'll keep an eye out for one of those Mayware tonearms. If it sounds half as good as it looks it will sound very nice indeed.

I suspect obtaining one will become a long term goal of mine. I'll likely settle for a lesser arm initially just to get up and running.

Your RD11 is a spectacular looking table.

 

[fiddlefye]

An off-the-cuff suggestion. If you can find a Fidelity Research FR-24 MkII (used, as production ended over 30 years ago) it will be affordable (if you don't wait too long) and mostly likely be the end of your arm quest. They can handle both the Grado and the DL-103 with ease, just choose an appropriate shell to match. Build and sound quality are spectacular, but they are still a bit under the radar. There are a couple on the auction site at the moment I note, one in the box with mounting template and the whole nine yards. A FR-54 would do nicely as well, though I somewhat prefer the 24.