denimhunter Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Just got a garrard 401 and looking for recommendations for tonearm. Considering EMT 929, SME 3012, Ortofon RMG 309, Audio Technica 1501 mk3?, Jelco. I am hoping for a musical setup rather than a 'vintage collectible'. I have a zyx r100 which I am thinking of reusing on the garrard. There isn't a lot on the EMT with the Garrard and I have heard conflicting opinion. Any thoughts? Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Most rigs have SME arms Some have Jelco arms A handful have Terminator 3 arms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeilNZ Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 I use an EMT 997 with my 301 and it is a fantastic combination. Haven't heard the 929 on anything except an EMT 930... An option to consider would be James Grant's (Analog Instruments) new arm. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viognier Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 I use a Thomas Schick on my 301 http://www.thomas-schick.com/arm01.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngquan Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 I would suggest Analog instruments tonearm as well. I used one with my 301. Sound lovely. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 I am hoping for a musical setup rather than a 'vintage collectible'. One of Duc's 'Univector' arms would certainly sound musical. Depending on your plinth size, you could even use the 12" (which I have - but not on a Garrard). Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD19 Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I would suggest Analog instruments tonearm as well. I used one with my 301. Sound lovely. ... and I use one with my 401: Wonderful arm ... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Telecine Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 I am also using an Analogue Intruments arm with my Garrard 401, recommended. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denimhunter Posted March 22, 2015 Author Share Posted March 22, 2015 Thank you for the responses. Analog instruments have a new design with detachable headshell. Wonder if anyone heard that before? Most ppl seem to go for 12" inch. Besides reduced tracking error any difference in tonality etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soundscape Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 ... and I use one with my 401: IMG_5563.JPG Wonderful arm ... Lovely looking plinth, sets off the ebony arm and 401 beautifully. Excuse the OT, but what is the timber? Looks rainforest, Aracauria perhaps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 Anyone heard both Duc's 12" Univector & the Analog Instruments arm. And could comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 (edited) Double post Edited March 22, 2015 by soundfan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetube Posted March 22, 2015 Share Posted March 22, 2015 here is how the Univector look like on the garrard 401 sound quality ? I would let other to comments, Duc 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulinap Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Anyone heard both Duc's 12" Univector & the Analog Instruments arm. And could comment? Why not buy both.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD19 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Thank you for the responses. Analog instruments have a new design with detachable headshell. Wonder if anyone heard that before? Most ppl seem to go for 12" inch. Besides reduced tracking error any difference in tonality etc? Watch this space ... headshell currently in transit. Will report when it arrives ... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Why not buy both.......... I have one of Duc's 12" arms on my distant horizon. Not sure I'd be able to fund two arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petng Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Anyone heard both Duc's 12" Univector & the Analog Instruments arm. And could comment? I cannot comment on sound quality for i have heard both on different set ups. Both can sound great. What is the price of the 2 arms now? As for build quality Duc's arm is much much better made with better materials and finish. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FR DRew Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 The Wand from Design Build Listen in NZ. I have a 401 on a Corian slab with The Wand unipivot as my tonearm. I've been really happy with its performance. Like many unipivots it has a really good PRaT. The large bore carbon fibre tube brings low resonance and high rigidity. Lovely dynamics with low colouration. Great price last time I looked too... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD19 Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Lovely looking plinth, sets off the ebony arm and 401 beautifully. Excuse the OT, but what is the timber? Looks rainforest, Aracauria perhaps? No, actually it's plane. Also has a nice lattice-like figure along the front. However not a good wood to work with, very inclined to lose its shape. I have another piece, same size, that's unusable . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omegaspeedy Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 I cannot comment on sound quality for i have heard both on different set ups. Both can sound great. What is the price of the 2 arms now? As for build quality Duc's arm is much much better made with better materials and finish. I can answer the question of price for you petng...... What was the Analog Instruments arm you heard? Was it the first and now out of product arm was the AU$840 Apparition? This arm was what I'd call a cross over between DIY and a commercial product. It sounded excellent but yes finish was basic but the price was really cheap. It started out at about AU$460!! The Siggwan is AU$1442, yes no electroplated parts (instead 3 coats of white metal etching primer and 3 coats of oil resistant paint), but this is to keep the price affordable for DIY guys who have re-plinthed big idlers etc. it uses quality materials ie Cardas, ETI plugs, Jelco hydraulic lifter, brass metal work for SQ and imported Cocobolo tonewood. The latest much more complicated gimballed detachable headshell arm, the Elementum is AU$2190, very time consuming to manufacture. GoldenAge Audio's Univector 12" arm with continuous wire (as per all the AIL arms) is AU$2145. Isn't it great you can still get hand built with love products in this day and age at such low prices? When you subtract material costs and divide the labour by 20-25 hours, you'll see that we do it for love, not to pay the mortgage! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denimhunter Posted March 23, 2015 Author Share Posted March 23, 2015 It would be nice to have 2 arms, one vintage, one new, one 12 and one 9 inch! Project for the longer term Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundfan Posted March 23, 2015 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Although I haven't heard either one of lovetubes or Omegaspeedys tonearms, I find it refreshing to think that 2 "locals" are making tonearms that I am sure would certainly compete with anything else out there. At the very least in their price range.....and probably with much higher priced tonearms too. Well done boys. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD19 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Watch this space ... headshell currently in transit. Will report when it arrives ... Headshell arrived and testing ... 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD19 Posted April 3, 2015 Share Posted April 3, 2015 Thank you for the responses. Analog instruments have a new design with detachable headshell. Wonder if anyone heard that before? Most ppl seem to go for 12" inch. Besides reduced tracking error any difference in tonality etc? Well finally set up and running. Immediate impact ... very clearly defined treble and mids and fine even bass. I was able to compare Elementum/Benz Ace/Garrard 301 against Siggwan/Denon 103R/401 fairly directlly as both are connected into the Thoress preamp (P1 and P2) and the Elementum combination was a close but clear winner. Both arms are very fine though . 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ochremoon Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Just bumping this thread as I'm wondering if anyone has any more info on the Elementum arm, or comparisons re sound versus Duc's arms. Cheers, Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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