Peter_F Posted February 7, 2013 Posted February 7, 2013 Thanks guys! Still plenty of work to do and still a couple of bits to buy. Like a new idler wheel, a couple of felt washers and a new tonearm. Still can't decide on that one. The 12" Jelco's are super value and hard to beat for that reason, but I love the look of the 12" SME's!!
Upfront Posted February 7, 2013 Author Posted February 7, 2013 A 12" SME sold here in oz for under $700 last night on ebay. I missed out. I listen to a lot of new music and a bit of 60s 70s 80s and 90s. So I'm not sure the sme would be for me anyway. Although they look very nice and have a fantastic reputation I'm thinking I should buy something a little more modern like the Jelco. Need to do some more thinking.
soundfan Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 A 12" SME sold here in oz for under $700 last night on ebay. I missed out. I listen to a lot of new music and a bit of 60s 70s 80s and 90s. So I'm not sure the sme would be for me anyway. Although they look very nice and have a fantastic reputation I'm thinking I should buy something a little more modern like the Jelco. Need to do some more thinking. I was watching that arm too. Probably would have put a bid in if I was paying more attention to the finishing time. You don't see them go that cheap often. I haven't heard any Jelco but would buy an SME 12" over a Jelco. The SME 12" arms I have heard were excellent. If modern was always better than vintage, we wouldn't be using our Garrards, Lenco's, etc etc.
Upfront Posted February 8, 2013 Author Posted February 8, 2013 Thanks Grumpy! Soundfan I was more thinking modern music modern arm if you catch my drift. But your right. New doesn't always equal better.
Soundscape Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 It would be wise to remember that vintage usually means some kind off attention to maintenance or refurbishment. SME arms often require rewiring and new bearings. Still, if you're up for a Garrard project, why not a vintage arm too? At the end of the day, it depends on the sound you're after. In this order: music; sound; aesthetics. IMHO of course
Upfront Posted February 8, 2013 Author Posted February 8, 2013 Correct. Hence the thinking of a more modern arm. Schick, jelco or apparition. That sort of thing. But was thinking that if I bought the SME for the right price I could rewire etc.
Soundscape Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 $700 sounds like the right price for a highly collectible arm, but will it impart the sound you are after?
Upfront Posted February 8, 2013 Author Posted February 8, 2013 Exactly. No idea! The down side of living in Perth. I don't know of another 301 in Perth let alone and of the arms I'd like to hear. The closest I've been fortunate enough to listen to is Flemos 10.5" Jelco on his SP10. Very impressive. But the drama is I have nothing to compare it to. So which ever way I go I'll be flying blind. I think this is why I'm so indecisive about it.
Telecine Posted February 8, 2013 Posted February 8, 2013 You won't get an Anologue Intruments Apparition 12 on short notice, there is a long lead time on a build.
Upfront Posted February 8, 2013 Author Posted February 8, 2013 Won't get a new one at all! No longer being made. A shame but the new one is meant to be very nice. I know of a couple of secondhand apparitions avaliable. So it is an option and a nice arm.
Upfront Posted February 8, 2013 Author Posted February 8, 2013 Well after fitting a few parts last night I've found that the 301 eddie current brake will not fit 401 motor I'm using. So I've ordered a 401 brake. And also the pins that hold the motor mounting screws to the yoke are a different size for a 401 motor compared to a 301 motor. I thought I'd have it all together last night as its a very simple construction but now I have to wait another 2 weeks while more parts arrive.... AAAAARRRRGHHH!!!! Lol! 1
heman_ Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 If youre still deciding on arms then shoot cheekyboy a pm... He has previously had a jelco and sme 12" on the same 401, so im sure he will have some insight on that.
lovetube Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Well after fitting a few parts last night I've found that the 301 eddie current brake will not fit 401 motor I'm using. So I've ordered a 401 brake. And also the pins that hold the motor mounting screws to the yoke are a different size for a 401 motor compared to a 301 motor. I thought I'd have it all together last night as its a very simple construction but now I have to wait another 2 weeks while more parts arrive.... AAAAARRRRGHHH!!!! Lol! yeah , this is not very good to hear . I think i told you the Motor is different between the two model . hope all went well after all. Duc
Upfront Posted February 9, 2013 Author Posted February 9, 2013 You did Duc. And lucky you did when it came to the yoke etc. The Eddie brake slipped my mind until I went to fit it! The pins that hold the springs onto the motor at also different. Now I'll have to find some 401 pins.
didier Posted February 9, 2013 Posted February 9, 2013 Exactly. No idea! The down side of living in Perth. I don't know of another 301 in Perth let alone and of the arms I'd like to hear. The closest I've been fortunate enough to listen to is Flemos 10.5" Jelco on his SP10. Very impressive. But the drama is I have nothing to compare it to. So which ever way I go I'll be flying blind. I think this is why I'm so indecisive about it. Hi Upfront, DaveMS lives in WA (I assume Perth) and he has a beautiful 301 with an Ikeda 12" arm, maybe try to track him down for a listen. I had the Ikeda too for a while, made by the fellow who made Fidelity Research, outstanding arm in every way but might be over-budget. If you're thinking about spending SME 3012 12" money, you may be better served with Duc's (Lovetube's) UniPivot arm or the new Analogue Instruments arm. I had the SME also and never felt it had the accuracy and solidity of other, newer arms, possibly the knife-edge bearing system seemed imprecise and a bit dated. Looked nice though. As mentioned I'm running my 301 now with an EMT997 and i'm absolutely smitten, the best sounding tonearm i've owned by a mile and seems particularly well suited to the idler drive. If you're ever in Sydney, look me up and come around for a listen. Good luck with your eddy-brake issues, frustrating I know. D.
Upfront Posted February 9, 2013 Author Posted February 9, 2013 Thanks Didier, I really do need to do some more thinking with it am see. Turntable first then a serious think. I have a wedding and a holiday in the next couple of weeks.
Upfront Posted February 21, 2013 Author Posted February 21, 2013 Bugger this!!!!!! The 401 eddie current brake arrived yesterday and trying to fit it tonight, I've found that the 301 brake will not fit the 401 motor. The 401 brake fits the 401 motor obviously but wont fit under the chassis. So I now have a 401 motor I cant use and I need to find a 301 motor that pretty much dont exist individually! Anyone have a 301 motor kicking around??? 1
Peter_F Posted February 21, 2013 Posted February 21, 2013 Bugger this!!!!!! The 401 eddie current brake arrived yesterday and trying to fit it tonight, I've found that the 301 brake will not fit the 401 motor. The 401 brake fits the 401 motor obviously but wont fit under the chassis.So I now have a 401 motor I cant use and I need to find a 301 motor that pretty much dont exist individually! Anyone have a 301 motor kicking around??? Bugger!! That is just the sort of luck I have too, so I understand your frustration and disappointment. Have you considered posting a WTB ad on some of the other TT forums? Cheers, Pete.
Upfront Posted February 21, 2013 Author Posted February 21, 2013 Good idea mate! Thanks. Lenco heaven might be the go! Will post one here too.
Telecine Posted February 21, 2013 Posted February 21, 2013 Try http://www.woodsongaudio.com/products_garrard.html They state that occasionally they have refurbished 301 and 401 motors for sale.
Upfront Posted February 21, 2013 Author Posted February 21, 2013 Try http://www.woodsongaudio.com/products_garrard.htmlThey state that occasionally they have refurbished 301 and 401 motors for sale. I'd forgotten about them. Thanks for the reminder. Just shot them and email.
Upfront Posted February 23, 2013 Author Posted February 23, 2013 I've emailed half a dozen "Garrard rebuilders" and have had a full round of "No" answers! Scoured eBay, audiogon, even Gumtree (living in hope there) and posted WTB threads on 3 forums. I think I'm running out of options. :-(
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