Tonearm Advice needed for an AR turntable

[ramond]

Hi.
I have been toying with the idea of putting together a vintage table for a long time and finally bought one. It's an AR turntable without an arm. It's the "AR" table with the rounded plinth and angled dustcover.

I'd like some advice with what arm (modern or vintage) to use and any other info that would make this table a great performer.

I currently have a Music Hall mmf7. I was told that this table with a good arm and cart. could be a better performer for less $$$$.
If this is true, I couls sell the mmf7 and have a nice vintage table.

Thanks, Rick.

[SY]

A few minutes with a milling machine will be well spent. I've used old Grace 707 and Mayware Formula 4 arms successfully. Others have committed a terrible miscegenation and attached a Linn LVX; it also works very well. I don't know how available these arms are anymore, but they were so popular that there are no doubt zillions floating around used equipment sites.

My all-time favorite AR mod was one I used for a few years, a Weathers arm and FM cartridge, vintage 1957.

[BrianL]

One has to be careful as the weight of the arm and mounting
can cause the whole suspended mechanism to sag.

I don't know if Underground Sound in Memphis, TN is still around,
but they had aftermarket products to enhance the AR and deal
with this sort of problem.

[sreten]

Sounds like the AR Legend, it is if it has a removable armboard.

Any decent arm will sound good, a Rega being the obvious choice.

sreten.

[ramond]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Question for sreten.



Would you recomend a RB 250 or RB300?

I would use it in stock form at this time. Could mod it later.

The table has the better 3 watt motor and the bottom cover has been removed.

There is a seller who buys these arms in bulk and sells them for OEM RB250 & RB300 $199 & $239. Sounds like a plan to me.

Thanks, Rick.

[sreten]

In stock form the RB300 is better than the RB250.

However the RB250 is better for mods.

This means secondhand the RB250 is more than the RB300.

I generally recommend a new RB250 or secondhand RB300.
A secondhand RB300 is a bargain and simply not worth
modding in terms of cost effectiveness IMO.

However I just usually say go for the RB250, but if its never
modded then a secondhand RB300 is the weapon of choice.

If you can can get a Linn Akito or Syrinx LE1 for quite a bit less
than $200 they are worth considering, as is the Linn LVX+ at
around $100.

sreten.

[ramond]

Hi sreten.
Thanks for the quick reply and info.

"If you can can get a Linn Akito or Syrinx LE1 for quite a bit less
than $200 they are worth considering, as is the Linn LVX+ at
around $100."

Do you know of any for sale?
I would much rather spend $100.00 if it's a good arm and have some $$$ left to add too the cart. budget.

I've been looking for arms this past week with little success.

Is a Linn Basik Plus a good choice? Is it as good as the others you mentioned?

Thanks again for your help with this matter.
Rick.

[sreten]

Basically compared to a Rega RB250 at $200 the LVX+ is good
value at ~ $100, its not as good but its as good value if you
are going for a decent budget cartridge.

Monster cartridge then its the Rega everytime.

But IMO a LVX+ arm at ~$100 and a $50 AT120E/T
cartridge is a superb combination for the price.

(i'm not saying LVX+'s go for a $100, they probably don't)

For an RB250 on the AR you are looking at $100 minimum,
the AT440ML is a bargain IMO but may or may not suit your
system.

http://www.garage-a-records.com/atcart.html

sreten.

[bluetomgold]

Hello,

I know it's late in the day but I also have an AR deck exactly the same. It's currently fitted with a Linn Basik LV X. I have a spare RB300 which I was thinking about fitting, but it will require a new armboard to be made. Does anybody know if these are available ready made anywhere?

The alternative was to get hold of a Linn Akito which I believe will bolt straight onto the Basik armboard - am I correct? Not sure about the geometry.

What does anybody think about this. I am currently using an AT440ML but was considering either a Denon DL110 or Dynavector 10X4 - I reckon these will need a better arm than the Basik.

Also, does anybody have experience of putting a Valhalla PSU board in the AR

Any thoughts?