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tonearm suggestions

spartanmanor

spartanmanor

Lunatic Member
At the Eastcoast gathering this weekend, AK member Bruce (Ultra-Hog) was kind enough to give me a deal on a Rekokut B-12H turntable

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I love to keep things original as possible but the tonearms tracking force is just way to heavy. I want to build a new plinth for this one and replace the tonearm. Does anyone have any good suggestions? I have even thought of buying another table just for the arm. I don't want to go crazy on this one but would love to find a good sleeper. :thmbsp:
 
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Wow, I'm old enough to remember using that tonearm. It was never a favorite, however I was rather young and opinionated in those days.

What cartridge do you plan on using?
 
Holst said:
Wow, I'm old enough to remember using that tonearm. It was never a favorite, however I was rather young and opinionated in those days.

What cartridge do you plan on using?
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I guess I will figure the cartridge out once I get a new arm. The Rek-o-Kut has a Pickering XJ-15 in it. This arm is like a lead shot. I can't imagine it would be very respecting of the vinyl.
 
Nice turntable. I think that it would be nice if you could keep a period tonearm on it....just something a little easier on the records and upscale. Some of the older Grace tonearms are wonderful as well as the SME3009 series or Fidelity Research or Ortofon....or if you are into high compliance cartridges, a black widow...
 
Id have to agree on the period arm for that very nice TT. All depends on what your needs are. Great Table in any case.
 
The Grado woody arm has a great reputation and would complete the vintage look. You just need to be patient, they are not common, but do pop-up from time-to-time.
 
Number 9 said:
The Grado woody arm has a great reputation and would complete the vintage look. You just need to be patient, they are not common, but do pop-up from time-to-time.
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I have the Grado Wood on my Thorens 124. I "wood" not be apposed to that but trying something different for comparison sake could be interesting. :thmbsp:
 
jcmjrt said:
Nice turntable. I think that it would be nice if you could keep a period tonearm on it....just something a little easier on the records and upscale. Some of the older Grace tonearms are wonderful as well as the SME3009 series or Fidelity Research or Ortofon....or if you are into high compliance cartridges, a black widow...
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Period for sure, thanks for the suggestions. :thmbsp:
 
I second the Black Widow for a high compliance cart. And the Grace. A vintage Hadcock gets the same nod.

I wouldn't be shy about putting a new arm on that table.

And I know what you mean about the arm being like lead shot, if I remember correctly, there is a bunch of steel in that arm. It was intended for professional use, so...

Maybe a pro-arm (not a dj type) like an AudioTechnica 1005.
 
I've been looking for a ROK tonearm for an old mono set up that I've been playing with. If your old arm needs a new home give me a shout.
 
Scuzzer said:
I've been looking for a ROK tonearm for an old mono set up that I've been playing with. If your old arm needs a new home give me a shout.
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I will keep you in mind. I have a feeling I am going to spend more than I should on this project. :sigh:
 
I have always thought the older Sansui tables have very nice looking arms on them. Some have the little weight hanging off one side on the string for antiskate, removable headshells, nice aluminum finish. Appear self contained enough to be a project arm. Tables are around $50 or less on e-pray.
 
I have a very nice Rekokut N34, a belt drive version. My arm (an earlier version of the Micropoise, has a bad bearing, which I'm trying to replace somehow. With a AT AL5625 (the $8.50 world beater -- well maybe not world beater, but surprisingly not bad), it sounds fairly good. But if things don't work out with Scuzzer, let me know. On the other hand, prices on all the Micropoise arms seem to be rising -- not sure why, but maybe you ought to consider tuning it up a bit, maybe rewiring, and see if it is as dire as you think. Obviously the non adjustable overhand is a bummer, but maybe the nutjobs on eBay know something we haven't noticed -- it wouldn't be the first time. Of course it wouldn't be the first time that they have been wrong also.
I think a Pritchard ADC arm would be a lovely and appropriate addition to your table, and give you a fair amount of choice in cartridges -- one of the first to have antiskate, and moderate mass, and, with a basswood arm, low resonances in the arm. And I don't think you could go wrong with an SME either. Or a Formula IV.
 
Nat said:
I have a very nice Rekokut N34, a belt drive version. My arm (an earlier version of the Micropoise, has a bad bearing, which I'm trying to replace somehow. With a AT AL5625 (the $8.50 world beater -- well maybe not world beater, but surprisingly not bad), it sounds fairly good. But if things don't work out with Scuzzer, let me know. On the other hand, prices on all the Micropoise arms seem to be rising -- not sure why, but maybe you ought to consider tuning it up a bit, maybe rewiring, and see if it is as dire as you think. Obviously the non adjustable overhand is a bummer, but maybe the nutjobs on eBay know something we haven't noticed -- it wouldn't be the first time. Of course it wouldn't be the first time that they have been wrong also.
I think a Pritchard ADC arm would be a lovely and appropriate addition to your table, and give you a fair amount of choice in cartridges -- one of the first to have antiskate, and moderate mass, and, with a basswood arm, low resonances in the arm. And I don't think you could go wrong with an SME either. Or a Formula IV.
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At the moment I am leaning towards the SME 3009. In all likelyhood I will keep the original arm and plinth so that the table can be returned to factory condition. I like the idea of not messing with things to much or at least being able to undo what I have done. I am kind of a nut about originallity but want to treat my vinyl with a little more respect.
 
If you've got the room to keep the stuff, that's obviously the best way to go. Enjoy it how you want, but keep the option to return to the original set up.
 
spartanmanor said:
I will keep you in mind. I have a feeling I am going to spend more than I should on this project. :sigh:
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Yeah, that's what is happening to me with this mono system. I thought "Gee, it can't cost much to do a vintage idler mono system." Now I'm tracking down oddball variable EQ preamps, looking into various classic coax drivers, planning various plinth strategies and getting a real itchy ebay finger to buy some obscenely priced ancient phono cartridge.

Next time I get a bright idea to "try" a new vintage system I'm just gonna turn up the volume on my current system and drink a few beers.
 
Scuzzer said:
Yeah, that's what is happening to me with this mono system. I thought "Gee, it can't cost much to do a vintage idler mono system." Now I'm tracking down oddball variable EQ preamps, looking into various classic coax drivers, planning various plinth strategies and getting a real itchy ebay finger to buy some obscenely priced ancient phono cartridge.

Next time I get a bright idea to "try" a new vintage system I'm just gonna turn up the volume on my current system and drink a few beers.
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That is pretty cool that you are putting together a mono system. I would be interested in hearing your reviews when you are done. :thmbsp:
 
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