Brinkman 10.5 tonearm - WOW

[scuzzii]

Keith

 

hope you don't mind me starting a thread in your section.  Since I purchased the Tonearm from you, figured people might be interested in my impressions on a product you sell .

 

With a massive thanks to Keith for arranging the Tonearm and delivery and a massive thanks to Greg @Hensa for installing it yesterday, I'm the lucky owner of a new tonearm - Brinkman 10.5.

 

https://www.wyndhamaudio.com.au/products/brinkmann-10-5-tonearm

 

I didn't quite understand the difference Tonearms make, and certainly over the past 2 years I've seen a few comments from SNA'rs who gave recommendations on where I should look to upgrade across the end to end chain of my system.  So after about 6 months of discussing it with Keith (and then saving) I pulled the trigger on the Brinkman.  I trusted the advice from Keith and it also speaks volumes that it is the tonearm of choice for Keith in his system - so you know it will be good.

 

Greg volunteered (well I pestered him til he gave in) to install the arm yesterday.  Obviously I wasn't much help but Misha supervised so I knew it would be Ok.  A few funny moments in the installation but when we fired it up in anger we both just said "wow" - (well words similar but can't swear on here).

 

Immediately the bass was richer, fuller and deeper.  Not bloated, just better and deeper.  The clarity was a big change as well.  Many more layers to the music presentation. Remarkable a tonearm can make this kind of difference.

We played "Rag n Bone Man - Human" - we are both very familiar with this pressing and we could both hear the improvements in the sound presentation. More of the background effects were audible, the bass was just sensational (deep and sounding awesome), the best way to articulate the change is to say it is more "Holographic" (to borrow Greg's description of the sound).

 

Each Album we played afterwards we could both hear the improvement.  For me,  money well spent.  The uplift I reckon is around 15% in overall system performance - on what was a pretty decent sounding system already.  I'm being conservative as well with that percentage.

 

Loving the new Brinkman tonearm

 

Thanks again Keith and thanks Greg!!!

 

Woo hoo...............

 

Some pics from yesterday, before and after shots - with one of the supervisor (Misha).  From phone so perhaps not as good as others produce on here.

 

Jelco 750 Tonearm to Brinkman 10.5 Tonearm

[Guest Hensa]

Well done, John and great recommendation, Keith!

 

The setup went fairly smoothly once I mounted the tonearm base plate the right way up![emoji2] I'm blaming my cold on that (quickly corrected) error!

 

Truth be told, I was expecting any improvement over the Jelco to be very subtle and to need concentrated listening in order to discern. Simply not the case - the improvement across the spectrum was glaring from the first chords - more detail, more bass, bigger dynamic swings and just more of everything. Frankly, I was shocked that a tonearm could have such a dramatic impact. The Brinkmann is superbly engineered and endlessly adjustable (we can still spend more time with fine tuning, John but I just wanted to listen to some music)!

 

This system is, without question, one of the best I've heard.

 

Thanks also to Misha for the supervision though I suspect he was keeping an eye on me in case I went for a sustenance break at the antipasto plate![emoji3][emoji106]

 

Edit: I must say it's strange how the lighting in a couple of those pics almost makes it look like I'm bald![emoji3]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Get off My lawn]

It certainly is a beautiful tonearm.

 

Welcome to the club!

[cheekyboy]

A great write up John and of course, anyone is welcome to post in this sub forum, as long as you've got nice things to say about Wyndham Audio!

 

What a fabulous tonearm the Brinkmann 10.5 is and I'm pleased too you took my advice and invested in one. As you say, it is my personal choice as well and for me it is like owning a piece of fine jewellery, it just has that feeling of precision and beautiful build quality.

 

I'm not surprised by the dramatic improvement you have experienced, as it was the same for me as well. In my case though, I was comparing the sound using the same cartridge, a Brinkmann EMT ti, but fitted first to a SME Series V tonearm. Going over to the Brinkmann 10.5, the improvement was like night and day and I remember Dave visiting shortly after I had fitted the Brinkmann arm and we both sat there stunned at the huge improvement in sound quality. Dave and I both agreed that such was the change to the EMT ti cartridge, that it actually sounded like a completely different cartridge, the improvement in sound quality was that dramatic.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Edited August 13, 2017 by cheekyboy

[scuzzii]

Well done, John and great recommendation, Keith!

The setup went fairly smoothly once I mounted the tonearm base plate the right way up![emoji2] I'm blaming my cold on that (quickly corrected) error!

Truth be told, I was expecting any improvement over the Jelco to be very subtle and to need concentrated listening in order to discern. Simply not the case - the improvement across the spectrum was glaring from the first chords - more detail, more bass, bigger dynamic swings and just more of everything. Frankly, I was shocked that a tonearm could have such a dramatic impact. The Brinkmann is superbly engineered and endlessly adjustable (we can still spend more time with fine tuning, John but I just wanted to listen to some music)!

This system is, without question, one of the best I've heard.

Thanks also to Misha for the supervision though I suspect he was keeping an eye on me in case I went for a sustenance break at the antipasto plate![emoji3][emoji106]




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Misha is a bit mopey today, clearly missing you.

Thanks again for installing it. Greatly appreciated.

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[scuzzii]

A great write up John and of course, anyone is welcome to post in this sub forum, as long as you've got nice things to say about Wyndham Audio![emoji3]
 
What a fabulous tonearm the Brinkmann 10.5 is and I'm pleased too you took my advice and invested in one. As you say, it is my personal choice as well and for me it is like owning a piece of fine jewellery, it just has that feeling of precision and beautiful build quality.
 
I'm not surprised by the dramatic improvement you have experienced, as it was the same for me as well. In my case though, I was comparing the sound using the same cartridge, a Brinkmann EMT ti, but fitted first to a SME Series V tonearm. Going over to the Brinkmann 10.5, the improvement was like night and day and I remember Dave visiting shortly after I had fitted the Brinkmann arm and we both sat there stunned at the huge improvement in sound quality. Dave and I both agreed that such was the change to the EMT ti cartridge, that it actually sounded like a completely different cartridge, the improvement in sound quality was that dramatic.
 
Cheers,
 
Keith

Looking forward your impressions next visit. Thanks again Keith

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[Guest Hensa]

Misha is a bit mopey today, clearly missing you.

 

Thanks again for installing it. Greatly appreciated.

 

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

 

 

It was my pleasure, John and thanks for the superb Chard Farm Tiger Pinot we enjoyed!

 

Reckon next visit, I'd like to fine tune VTA and azimuth so keep the Allen keys handy... might even squeeze another 1 or 2% out of it although I'm really just making up another excuse for another listening session!

 

Hope Misha continures his recovery!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cheekyboy]

26 minutes ago, scuzzii said:

Looking forward your impressions next visit. Thanks again Keith

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk
 

 

Yep, I'm definitely looking forward to listening now the Brinkmann 10.5 is installed and hopefully I can make it down later this month or early in September.

 

Your system is in my top two or three favourite systems I've ever heard and an improvement of 15% plus is hard to comprehend, so I'm excited to hear this improvement for myself. I don't doubt the improvement because I experienced a similar gain when I installed my Brinkmann 10.5 arm and I agree, it is difficult to believe that such gains over an already sensational sound could be possible by simply changing the tonearm. 

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Edited August 13, 2017 by cheekyboy

[metal beat]

Awesome news.  a superior tonearm can and will make a substantial difference in most systems.

 

as nice as the Jelco is, the Brinkman should be and sounds like it is a lot better tonearm.

 

Scuzzi - what is next phono stage or new cartridge?

 

enjoy

[SPR08Y]

Well done John and Greg, I too would like to listen to the new and improved Scuzzi system, it sounded very sweet last time already! I can supply the Pinot next time! 

 

That lighting certainly was tricky and unkind Greg! Not to mention the pressure John must have been putting you under to go from long sleeves to t-shirt, no doubt a sweaty business that fancy tonearm setup! 

 

Looks great! 

Cheers, Michael 

[cheekyboy]

22 minutes ago, Hensa said:

 

It was my pleasure, John and thanks for the superb Chard Farm Tiger Pinot we enjoyed!

Reckon next visit, I'd like to fine tune VTA and azimuth so keep the Allen keys handy... might even squeeze another 1 or 2% out of it although I'm really just making up another excuse for s listening session!

Hope Misha continures his recovery!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

A good idea, Greg, and if I can combine your next visit with a trip down to John's place myself, I'll bring down my SmarTractor and a couple of other tools and we can see how much more we can draw from John's set up.

 

I had forgotten too that Misha had not been well, so great to see our little buddy is on the mend and helping you with the tonearm set up, or snacks tray.

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Edited August 13, 2017 by cheekyboy

[scuzzii]

32 minutes ago, Hensa said:

 

It was my pleasure, John and thanks for the superb Chard Farm Tiger Pinot we enjoyed!

Reckon next visit, I'd like to fine tune VTA and azimuth so keep the Allen keys handy... might even squeeze another 1 or 2% out of it although I'm really just making up another excuse for s listening session!

Hope Misha continures his recovery!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

you never need an excuse to come round.  I'm in Manila all week and don't get back til Sunday, otherwise we'd be having session 2 with a few more Pinots.  Weekend after this one perhaps?

[scuzzii]

14 minutes ago, SPR08Y said:

Well done John and Greg, I too would like to listen to the new and improved Scuzzi system, it sounded very sweet last time already! I can supply the Pinot next time! 

 

That lighting certainly was tricky and unkind Greg! Not to mention the pressure John must have been putting you under to go from long sleeves to t-shirt, no doubt a sweaty business that fancy tonearm setup! 

 

Looks great! 

Cheers, Michael 

 

 

LOL - I was VERY quiet.  didn't want to disturb Greg at all.  Yet my wife comes in and asks if she can help. The look on Greg's face was priceless  

 

I will setup a GTG mid Sept when wife is OS.  I will have the place to myself.

[scuzzii]

17 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Awesome news.  a superior tonearm can and will make a substantial difference in most systems.

 

as nice as the Jelco is, the Brinkman should be and sounds like it is a lot better tonearm.

 

Scuzzi - what is next phono stage or new cartridge?

 

enjoy

 

 

I know Greg will be saying 'not cart'.....   

 

I'm set for a while "I think" Shane.  Phono Stage will be a comparison at some stage but the Slee gear is very nice IMO. 

[cheekyboy]

30 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Awesome news.  a superior tonearm can and will make a substantial difference in most systems.

 

as nice as the Jelco is, the Brinkman should be and sounds like it is a lot better tonearm.

 

Scuzzi - what is next phono stage or new cartridge?

 

enjoy

 

The Brinkmann 10.5 arm is clearly a better tonearm compared to the Jelco, but there is a considerable price difference too. In my case I was comparing the improvement gained by changing to the Brinkmann 10.5 over a SME Series V, which as tonearms go is definitely no slouch in performance stakes. As I said earlier, the difference was absolutely night and day.

 

John's Benz cartridge is a beautiful sounding cartridge with no hint of harshness and is extremely detailed in its presentation. With regard to the Slee Reflex M/Elevator combo, they may not afford the owner the bragging rights of some of the perhaps better known and far more expensive brands, but they are doing a sensational job in John's system, they perform way above their price point and it would be difficult to better them, even at many times their price. My advice to John, like the old Mortein add is, "when you're on a good thing.............!

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

Edited August 13, 2017 by cheekyboy

[scuzzii]

34 minutes ago, cheekyboy said:

 

Yep, I'm definitely looking forward to listening now the Brinkmann 10.5 is installed and hopefully I can make it down later this month or early in September.

 

Your system is in my top two or three favourite systems I've ever heard and an improvement of 15% plus is hard to comprehend, so I'm excited to hear this improvement for myself. I don't doubt the improvement because I experienced a similar gain when I installed my Brinkmann 10.5 arm and I agree, it is difficult to believe that such gains over an already sensational sound could be possible by simply changing the tonearm. 

 

Cheers,

 

Keith

 

 

I know, but it certainly is a step up from the change.  Couldn't believe it myself.  More realism in the music, more information but well placed in the presentation, much better bottom end and bigger soundstage.

[scuzzii]

23 minutes ago, metal beat said:

Awesome news.  a superior tonearm can and will make a substantial difference in most systems.

 

as nice as the Jelco is, the Brinkman should be and sounds like it is a lot better tonearm.

 

Scuzzi - what is next phono stage or new cartridge?

 

enjoy

 

 

actually - the next change is this

 

http://www.littlefwend.com/

 

Auto lifter.  I fall asleep late at night sometimes and record is still spinning with cart up against runoff.

[ophool]

Sounds like a very pleasing result for you John.

It is really good to hear you so thrilled with something you have been looking forward to for some time.

 

[scuzzii]

Sounds like a very pleasing result for you John.
It is really good to hear you so thrilled with something you have been looking forward to for some time.
 

Thanks Tony

I look forward to hearing your impressions next you're over. Will line that up with Michael.

Hope you're well mate.

John

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[Get off My lawn]

HI Scuzzi

 

Having both of the tonearms on my Spyder ( the Brinkmann and the Jelco), I know  what you  mean by the difference between the two. The Jelco is a very good arm, and represents great value for money, but the Brinkmann is just in a different class ( as it should be  , given the difference in price!).

 

I'm glad you're enjoying it.

 

I just worry what Keith will suggest I try next ( my wife refers to him as my "dealer")

 

 

Cheers

 

Suresh

 

[scuzzii]

13 hours ago, pine weasel said:

HI Scuzzi

 

Having both of the tonearms on my Spyder ( the Brinkmann and the Jelco), I know  what you  mean by the difference between the two. The Jelco is a very good arm, and represents great value for money, but the Brinkmann is just in a different class ( as it should be  , given the difference in price!).

 

I'm glad you're enjoying it.

 

I just worry what Keith will suggest I try next ( my wife refers to him as my "dealer")

 

 

Cheers

 

Suresh

 

 

 

Thanks Suresh

 

yep - i was actually quite happy with the Jelco.  Then the Brinkman really surprised me.  Goes to show we are always learning and discovering in this hobby.

 

No more upgrades for me for a while..  (unless Ross sells something amazing ...)  @rossb

 

I return from Manila tomorrow,  been looking forward to hearing the system when i get in

[metal beat]

34 minutes ago, scuzzii said:

 

 

Thanks Suresh

 

yep - i was actually quite happy with the Jelco.  Then the Brinkman really surprised me.  Goes to show we are always learning and discovering in this hobby.

 

No more upgrades for me for a while..  (unless Ross sells something amazing ...)  @rossb

 

I return from Manila tomorrow,  been looking forward to hearing the system when i get in

 

 

do you have a mono cartridge?  

[scuzzii]

Just now, metal beat said:

 

 

do you have a mono cartridge?  

haha....  no...   please don't, please.....

[rossb]

John, I'm sorry I've only just discovered this thread. Congratulations on the Brinkmann arm. It looks fantastic, and obviously sounds amazing as well.

 

I also have the Jelco arm, which is doing mono duties on my second turntable - I actually bought it after hearing it in John's system and being very impressed with it. It sounds much better than an arm at that price really should, and has no obvious weaknesses. But, yes, a truly state of the art arm - such as the Brinkmann - can make a huge difference. Having spent quite a bit of time comparing tonearms recently, I am now of the view that the arm can have a bigger influence on the sound than the turntable.

 

I may have to think about comparing the Brinkmann to my Kuzma and Audio Origami arms ...

 

And, John, I may just have something for you to have a listen to in the near future ...

 

[scuzzii]

10 minutes ago, rossb said:

John, I'm sorry I've only just discovered this thread. Congratulations on the Brinkmann arm. It looks fantastic, and obviously sounds amazing as well.

 

I also have the Jelco arm, which is doing mono duties on my second turntable - I actually bought it after hearing it in John's system and being very impressed with it. It sounds much better than an arm at that price really should, and has no obvious weaknesses. But, yes, a truly state of the art arm - such as the Brinkmann - can make a huge difference. Having spent quite a bit of time comparing tonearms recently, I am now of the view that the arm can have a bigger influence on the sound than the turntable.

 

I may have to think about comparing the Brinkmann to my Kuzma and Audio Origami arms ...

 

And, John, I may just have something for you to have a listen to in the near future ...

 

 

Thanks Ross,  sounds good.  I was not expecting the improvements but so glad I pulled the trigger now.

 

I have a few Albums for you mate so we should catch up soon.  Would love for you to hear the setup now as well - a lot has changed (not sure I had the Luxman amp when you were last over).

Edited August 19, 2017 by scuzzii