Affordable 12"-ish tonearm options?

[S0und Dragon]

For me, I would love to own one of the classic Ortofon 12” arms. They seem so classy…..

 

[adnick]

For me, I would love to own one of the classic Ortofon 12” arms. They seem so classy…..

That’s what originally made me interested in Bokrand’s arms, and how I ended up with an AB 309…..

 

[JohnVF]

I'm leaning towards the Sony PUA-1600L. It seems to be a nice somewhat under the radar arm but maybe not as they're not cheap.

 

[mhardy6647]

I note wryly that this thread's title is (i.e., has been) Affordable 12"-ish tonearm options.
I would submit (with, of course, characteristic humility ) that the first word should, perhaps, be altered to Affordable-ish
😎

 

[Thermionics]

I thought the Korf site was okay, but the real interesting stuff is in their blog posts.

Here’s the Tonmechanik Berlin site. I don’t know anything about it really, but I lust…

I can’t say I’m recommending these because I don’t have any firsthand experience with them, but if I were shopping for another 12” arm today I’d probably start here.

Seems like the Tonmechanik folks may have taken some design cues (or at least visuals) from the venerable FR-24 (if you look at the pivot / lift).

 

[JohnVF]

I note wryly that this thread's title is (i.e., has been) Affordable 12"-ish tonearm options.
I would submit (with, of course, characteristic humility ) that the first word should, perhaps, be altered to Affordable-ish
😎

I guess its relative.... most new 12" tonearms seem to $3000 now. I really don't want to spend even $1000. Adaug has a spindle extender he can send me, so I actually might be able to salvage the original arm... again, its not bad I just can't use my Miyabi on it because that cart won't fit on the Sony headshell, and without the Sony headshell I can't get VTA low enough. Only the PUA-286 has this problem.

 

[je2a3]

I did not like my Schick despite all the praise in the press.

+1

My G301 with RMG309 + Schick 12", ca. 2007.

I tried to make the Schick work in my setup, but it never gave me the same musical satisfaction as the RMG309 and SME 3012.

 

[JohnVF]

+1

My G301 with RMG309 + Schick 12", ca. 2007.

I tried to make the Schick work in my setup, but it never gave me the same musical satisfaction as the RMG309 and SME 3012.

This would check with my general dissatisfaction with cottage industry wares vs old school “high vinyl” pieces. Though I do know of some who truly like the schick.

I don’t know if my intended cart would be right for it. The cello cart is lower compliance and HEAVY but it has an MR stylus profile and likes overall finesse in an arm. It’s not an SPU or 103.

That’s a beautiful setup, btw

 

[adnick]

+1

My G301 with RMG309 + Schick 12", ca. 2007.

I tried to make the Schick work in my setup, but it never gave me the same musical satisfaction as the RMG309 and SME 3012.

Never had a Schick to try and compare so can’t comment on actual performance…..

However in my search for 12” type arms Schick was on my short list, and advice/comments from trusted audio friends were divided on the Schick, enough so to sway my decision away from Schick.

That’s not discounting others satisfaction with their Schick tonearm; totally understand that system/application can have a huge effect on the success/failure of cartridges, tonearms and even tables….

In my experience the symbiotic relationship between cartridge, tonearm and table is obvious when achieved, brings out the intrinsic attributes of a particular turntable, like “PRAT” and/or “SLAM” Conversely it’s elusive, hard or sometimes impossible to accomplish, easy to upset/derail and laboriously component/system reliant.


Nothing new or illuminating, just musing

 

[JohnVF]

Never had a Schick to try and compare so can’t comment on actual performance…..

However in my search for 12” type arms Schick was on my short list, and advice/comments from trusted audio friends were divided on the Schick, enough so to sway my decision away from Schick.

That’s not discounting others satisfaction with their Schick tonearm; totally understand that system/application can have a huge effect on the success/failure of cartridges, tonearms and even tables….

In my experience the symbiotic relationship between cartridge, tonearm and table is obvious when achieved, brings out the intrinsic attributes of a particular turntable, like “PRAT” and/or “SLAM” Conversely it’s elusive, hard or sometimes impossible to accomplish, easy to upset/derail and laboriously component/system reliant.


Nothing new or illuminating, just musing

You’re preaching to the choir here so no reason for embarrassment… I just bought that whole new low-mass Audio Technica tonearm to bring out the best in the Stanton Epoch cart I fell in love with. And yes it turned the whole table/arm/cart combo up a notch even from an already good spot. But the Jelco Tk-850 that was on there wasn’t a bad arm- just more suited to carts like the Ortofon Cadenza LOMC that was on there.

That the whole thing is a system doesn’t get enough talk. I’ve had wonderful tonearms just fall flat with certain carts.

 

[adnick]

You’re preaching to the choir here so no reason for embarrassment… I just bought that whole new low-mass Audio Technica tonearm to bring out the best in the Stanton Epoch cart I fell in love with. And yes it turned the whole table/arm/cart combo up a notch even from an already good spot. But the Jelco Tk-850 that was on there wasn’t a bad arm- just more suited to carts like the Ortofon Cadenza LOMC that was on there.

That the whole thing is a system doesn’t get enough talk. I’ve had wonderful tonearms just fall flat with certain carts.

Appreciate your comments….

I’m aware that many have similar conclusions/experiences, it just amazes me that others with long term involvement in the hobby have not….