Rewired Rega Arm

Wayne1 · « **on:** 21 Aug 2004, 05:36 pm »

As I am slowly getting ready for RMAF, I have just strated on some mods to my already modded RB-250 tonearm.

This was purchased from Teres Audio. It had the Expessimo mods done to it.

Quite frankly, I did not care for the connectors or the cable that ran from the tonearm to the preamp. I first changed out the connectors to Eichmann Silver Bullets. That improved things to my ears.

This past week, I built a Summit interconnect to use with this arm. I started the installation on Thursday. I had to machine out the brass plug at the bottom of the arm to get the Summit cable to fit.

After I was done, I got to thinking about the tonearm wires. They are currently wired with Cardas. I decided I might as well replace them to keep the signal path all silver.

I have ordered in some of Chris VenHaus new 28 AWG solid Silver, coton insulated wires to run through the tone arm. I will terminate them with Cardas PCC Cartridge Clips, non-magnetic, eutectic, billet Brass, Rhodium over Silver plate, Beryllium copper tension spring.

When all this is done, I will break in the new wiring on the Cable Cooker.

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Aug 2004, 05:17 pm »

I have an SME IV arm. How easy would it be to terminate the CVH wire to WBT Nextgen male RCA's at a length of about .75M and get rid of the DIN connector?

If that can't be done, how about terminating the CVH wire into WBT female RCA's at a length of about 6"?

Any other ideas on re-wiring an SME IV?

Thanks

Wayne1 · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Aug 2004, 10:48 pm »

Marbles,

I have yet to receive the CVH wire.

I have not had any experience with rewiring a SME arm.

The best thing to do IN THEORY would be to run the same wire right to the input of the phono stage.

Some form of shielding would need to be added after the tone arm.

I am not sure how well the CVH wire with cotton works with a shield over it. I do prefer a constant distance from the signal wire to the shield. With cotton that distance will vary.

The single soldered connection I plan to do in the Rega arm is the next best option for the real world.

dogberry · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 02:54 pm »

Hi Wayne,

Any thoughts on offering tonearm rewiring as a service? I'm looking to buying a rewired RB250 myself....

Wayne1 · « **Reply #4 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 03:07 pm »

If Chris VenHaus has no problem with my using his wire in a service I offer, I just might do so.

I do need to get through rewiring mine first

What would be unique about such a service is that I would burn in all the tonearm wiring on the Cable Cooker before shipping the arm back.

I will check with Chris.

dogberry · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 03:40 pm »

I don't know about any one offering custom rewiring (like you would). I do know of a few guys who do Discovery or Incognito rewiring.

How might yours differ (aside from the burn in)?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 04:25 pm »

The Chris VH wire is 28 AWG Solid core silver, insulated with three layers of cottton. I plan to use it in a Star Quad geometry and then connect it to my new Summit Cable in the base of the arm. The connectors I plan to use are the Cardas PCC with constant tension springs. The Summit interconnect is made with Solid core copper and Silver and is shielded.
Termination at the preamp side will be WBT NextGen conectors.

This will not be inexpensive. A one meter Summit Interconnect alone is $600.00

Wayne1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Aug 2004, 04:34 pm »

I just heard back from Chris VH. He has no problems with my offering a service using his wire.

Once the wire arrives and I complete the mod, I will have a better idea of the total package price. I could also offer it with different interconnect, like the M-80 or Nitro for less money.

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 26 Aug 2004, 04:59 pm »

Just a thought...

I have been thinking about rewiring my tonearm as well. Except instead of using premium (and expensive) RCA's, I was thinking of using Cardas DIN connectors. Putting the male DIN on the back of the phono stage and the female DIN at the end of the tonearm cable (no DIN connector at arm base).

I got to imagine that the DIN connectors would be superior to RCA connectors, even premium ones and it would be nice and simple to have just one cable, instead of essentially 3. What are you thoughts on this?

Wayne1 · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Aug 2004, 05:41 pm »

I am not sure about the DIN being better sounding than RCAs.
They will be less expensive.
The WBT NextGen does have a lot of engineering behind them and they do sound better than any other RCA I have heard.

The biggest drawback will be lack of compatiblity with any other TT rig.

JoshK · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Aug 2004, 05:53 pm »

Yeah, it won't work on other rigs but for me, I don't care as I will just DIY anything to suit my needs. Whether or not it is better than RCAs is left to be determined, but as much engineering as the WBT have (probably indeed the best RCAs possible) I still think the DIN will compete readily because of minimal contact metal.