Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Hi guys as some of you know I recently bought a 301 chassis and linkages to restore. What I thought was going to be a simple task of buying and fitting a motor has turned out to be so much more. I'm pretty sure I have the parts sorted. Most are easily available. Things like idler wheels, gaskets, grommets etc... It was this bucket of bits that when missing during transport that have been the difficult bit. But in talking to a kind man on eBay I seem to have only just now sourced them! While I've been looking for these parts I've had time to do some polishing and start building a plinth. I know how much you like pictures and I will definitely have some questions so any suggestions on any part of this build will be greatly appreciated. The plinth, tonearm and cartridge are the main concern at present. Any how have a look at the photos (sorry iPhone pic alert) and feel free to comment. Before. Including missing parts! A before picture of the bearing. Surprisingly good condition. An after shot of the polished chassis. I was originally planning on painting it but apart from a couple of small chips and some engraving on the front, its in very good condition. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Paint stripping the platter. I've repainted it since and waiting to have some spare time to file back the strobe marks. The plinth before preparation. Sanded and ready for cutting out the centre. Hole cut! Something like this I'm thinking but with a 12" arm (suggestions under $1000 please!) sitting where the dynavector is and the Dynavector sitting on an aluminium arm board off to the left. 4
pulinap Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Looking good..... wish I was that handy with tools... 1
soundfan Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 It's coming along very nicely, and I look forward to seeing the finished product. As for 12" arms, maybe the Jelco 750, or an SME 3012 if you can find one? IIRC there is a new kiwi built 12" arm that is under 1k on the market, but I'm too lazy to look for it to confirm my suspicions.
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 I'm thinking either an Apparition 12" Or a Jelco 750l
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 The NZ arm your refuting to is the Apparition I think. Beautiful arm made by one of our members!
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 Looking good..... wish I was that handy with tools... More about having the right one than knowing what to do with them!
brownemi Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Upster. The 301 is looking very nice. No need to repaint the top plate looks great and is best original. Arm wise I have used oth the apparition and jelco. Both are very good and a worthy match which is in your budget. One is a unipivot the other a classic bearing design so you may want to research both on cartridge match and ease of set up and use. You will love the 301 they are a fine tt with pedigree and no fuss durability.
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks mate! I've been thinking of using a denon 103r derivative. Maybe a Zu103r? Haven't got that far.
brownemi Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 103's go well on both arms. The jelco will need the heavy counter weight it's an extra cost option. The apparition you specify and he will ensure the counterweight is right.
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks! I need to do the calculations with the extra weight of the aluminium body. But that's the what I was hoping. Hard to get a chance to hear different cartridges. So input is much appreciated.
christianb Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Hi, I would consider a Thomas Schick arm, you should get it for around 1000 bucks and this would work extrmely well with the 103. You will have to wait a month or two though cheer Christian
christianb Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 here is the link: http://www.thomas-schick.com/Audiomain.htm
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 I've seen his arms but the reviews are a little hit and miss. The last price I have seen on these is €975. So they are steadily rising.
christianb Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Hi, I got it from Thomas for 750 euros and I liked the arm more than my Ortofon RK 309. Very simple, elegant and very steady bass. Also opens the world of SPU cartridges, in case you want.
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 The stories i hear about it are that its very "relaxed". how do you find it? How long have you had your arm? €750 is a little more reasonable.
djb Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 Duc makes a 12" arm Heard the shorter version on cheekyboys SME 20 great results
Soundscape Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 There is another Kiwi arm, entitled The Wand. I have the 9" version and a 12" has just been released. Mine worked very well with a DL103. The aesthetics may not be a good match with your timber deck. Well worth checking out still.
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 There is another Kiwi arm, entitled The Wand. I have the 9" version and a 12" has just been released. Mine worked very well with a DL103. The aesthetics may not be a good match with your timber deck. Well worth checking out still. $720 is quite reasonable for a 12" arm. And I like the carbon fibre!
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 Duc makes a 12" armHeard the shorter version on cheekyboys SME 20 great results Any pictures or more info? I know nothing of it.
christianb Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 The stories i hear about it are that its very "relaxed". how do you find it? How long have you had your arm? €750 is a little more reasonable. probably depends on the cartridge. I used it with different SPU A cartridges and had it for a few months until I got the Shindo 301. Sadly sold it, not thinking that therewould always be a project I could use it for...As I said, very stable, simple to handle, comes with a decent cable and you can choose color and length depending on the pick up you want to use. I would probably choose the normal 12" length next time to try it with the Kondo or a Denon
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 Thank you Christian. I will keep it in mind. They really look quite nice. The apparition is the apple of me eye at the moment for some reason. I think it's all the wood and brass!
Soundscape Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 (edited) $720 is quite reasonable for a 12" arm. And I like the carbon fibre! Cool. Shoot Simon a message if you're curious. He's a top bloke and will bend over backwards to help you out. Oh, and good luck with your project. I will be following with interest Edited January 19, 2013 by rehabitat
Upfront Posted January 19, 2013 Author Posted January 19, 2013 $720 is quite reasonable for a 12" arm. And I like the carbon fibre!Cool. Shoot Simon a message if you're curious. He's a top bloke and will bend over backwards to help you out. Oh, and good luck with your project. I will be following with interest thank you. I'll keep posting photos as I get the time.
nzdans Posted January 19, 2013 Posted January 19, 2013 The jelco will need the heavy counter weight it's an extra cost option. Hmm, pretty sure my counter weight is standard and does the trick with either wood or stock 103/103r, I doubt it could handle an alloy body like the Zu etc. Great work on the build, thanks for sharing!
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