[sunnydaze]

Sweet looking table...you did a great job on the extensive rebuild!     

Is your tonearm pod somehow secured to the base so it doesn't move?

[rif]

You can also check out vinylengine.com.  they have a very comprehensive database of arms and cartridges.

[Bob2]

You can also check out vinylengine.com.  they have a very comprehensive database of arms and cartridges.

Thanks for that! I'll dig into that.

Sweet looking table...you did a great job on the extensive rebuild!     

Is your tonearm pod somehow secured to the base so it doesn't move?

Thanks! It was a fun project. The tonearm mount uses a single bolt through the bottom plinth. The mount itself has a cap on the bottom that I can drill and tap for any offset within reason. I can also shim it if more height is needed. I can get it modified or I'll have a new piece made to accommodate once I purchase an arm.

The turntable, arm and cart sound far better than I would have thought. Hopefully adding an arm of better quality and manufacturing will prove to be a good change.

[AllynW]

I'm another Jelco recommend.  I have two TT's in my system and both have Jelco 750 arms: Technics SL-1210MKII and a Denon DP-500m.  They are great arms at a very reasonable price.  The removable headshell, easy to adjust counterweight, without the cost of a gauge and the easy to adjust VTA that does not required shims were a no brainer for me.

[Bob2]

I'm another Jelco recommend.  I have two TT's in my system and both have Jelco 750 arms: Technics SL-1210MKII and a Denon DP-500m.  They are great arms at a very reasonable price.  The removable headshell, easy to adjust counterweight, without the cost of a gauge and the easy to adjust VTA that does not required shims were a no brainer for me.

AllynW, thanks for you opinions.. I have looked at the Jelco 750 and almost pressed the purchase button. Wanted to "sleep on it".

I received a message from Jeff Spall this morning in response to some questions I had asked.

Hi Bob,
 From the end of the month the Classic  is replaced at the end of July by a new model, which is essentially a Series Five arm optimised for high and medium compliance cartridges, which is what the Classic owners have tended to partner with.  I don’t have documentation yet bit details are:

 It will be Series Five C. This will have all the current Series Five elements: Bridged arm yoke, variable mass counterweight with copper fill discs, uprated bearings and the extra setup tools. Difference from the current Series Five is the low mass arm tube with headshell damping and a revised Cardas copper loom with KLE bullet RCAs.  The new arm is optimised for high and medium compliance MM and MC cartridges, where the Series Five is for medium to low.  Price will be £595 but I’m offering it to current Classic II orders at £545 as I don’t want them to lose out on the new model A micrometer adds £100.  Like the silver-wired Series Five the stainless counterweight will be the default finish with gold plating as an option.  There will be an upgrade path for existing Classic II arms to the new one.
Regards, Jeff

So I think I'm going to wait till more information about the new Audio Mods is available.
I would still appreciate further thoughts, opinions.

[WC]

I placed an order for the new Audio Mods arm at the discounted rate. It should work better than the Series Five arm with my current cart and the other one I was thinking of getting in the future. This will be for my SL-1200 turntable to replace the original arm.

[rif]

It is a very nice tonearm, but you're talking about something that costs twice as much as the jelco.

[WC]

It is a very nice tonearm, but you're talking about something that costs twice as much as the jelco.

Not quite. The Jelco looks like a nice arm also, but the cost for the new Audio Mods Series Five low mass arm is only $700 at current exchange rates plus shipping and includes Cardas tonearm wiring to RCAs. The Jelco 750 is a little under $500 for just the arm. Still would need to add a headshell and tonearm wiring which at a comparable quality could be $150 to $200. So I thought it was a wash on a cost basis.

[rif]

The jelco comes with headshell and internal wiring (at least mine did).  I was factoring in the micrometer which brings it to £695 (about $900) plus shipping.  The straight cardas clips to rcas are very nice too.

Go for it, I don't think you can go wrong with either

[Johnny2Bad]

The SME M2 series arms are about $1100.00

I also like the lower priced Clearaudio arms.

Might be stretching your budget a bit but it's worthwhile to check out all your options.

[Bob2]

I placed an order for the new Audio Mods arm at the discounted rate. It should work better than the Series Five arm with my current cart and the other one I was thinking of getting in the future. This will be for my SL-1200 turntable to replace the original arm.

I just received conformation of my order for the new Audio Mods arm. With the discount it makes for a good deal. Looking forward to it!

Thanks everyone for posting in this thread. I'll post pictures if there is any interest.

[sunnydaze]

Based on what I hear in my buddy's Classic II, I think you'll be very happy.

Congrats and good luck!     

[Bob2]

I wanted to update this thread.
I purchased a new Series 5 LM tonearm from AudioMods.
Took about 5 weeks as Jeff Spall of AudioMods was very busy at the time I placed the order.
Jeff said it would ship on a certain date and he was true to his word.
This is how it arrived. Very well packed and in a nice wood box that was double boxed. No worries with Jeff's shipping methods.

Mounting this to my turntable required some machining. I had to find a shop to do this as I no longer have access to a mill and lathe to do the required modifications.
I was very fortunate to find a local shop that specializes in custom prototype machining.



Having the required work performed for the tonearm to fit I finished some detail work.


Engine turning the top of the tonearm pillar.

I did some research and calculations to determine the cartridge that would best match the arm. The Ortofon 2M Black was in the middle of the pack so I purchased that and had it ready to install upon arrival of the arm.

Then the assembly and setup began.

After setting up the arm based on the AudioMods suggestions It was time to give it a spin...


To say this is a worthwhile upgrade is an understatement.
SQ has improved from my previous cart ( Denon 110) and arm Thorens TD 280 tonearm is a giant leap.

I cannot say enough to endorse the AudioMods arm. Huge improvement, easy setup and reasonable price speaks volumes.

Give it a try and enjoy!

Thanks to those that responded to my initial request.
Good luck !

[WC]

Good to see you like it. Looks just like mine, except I had mine in Matte finish.

I have been too busy to install mine yet.

[ConfuciusSay]

I got the audiomods series five micrometer arm and have been in love     yours looks great!

[Bob2]

I got the audiomods series five micrometer arm and have been in love     yours looks great!

Thanks for the kind words!
I seriously considered the micrometer adjustment. I don't think I would be changing cartridges enough to need it. Very cool though.
The arm and cartridge work well together.

Jeff does an excellent job with the Rega mods.
Good luck with the arm and post a photo if you can!

[sunnydaze]

I know it's a notch below the Black, but my buddy started with a 2M Bronze on his AM arm.  We both preferred his Dynavector 20X-H to it.

He has since moved to the Soundsmith Carmen II.  He loves it.  It sounds incredible -- to my ear, the best his analog setup has ever sounded.  Table is Townshend Rock Mk3.

Just FYI......if the time ever comes when you wanna play with cartridges.   

[Bob2]

Just FYI......if the time ever comes when you wanna play with cartridges.   

Thanks for the recommendations! I have a few irons in the fire that need tending to before adding another cartridge.
I have added a Creek Audio phono preamp. Took the sound up another rung on the ladder.
First time I heard the police whistle in Aja.
Cheers!

[sturgus]

I wanted to update this thread.
I purchased a new Series 5 LM tonearm from AudioMods.
Took about 5 weeks as Jeff Spall of AudioMods was very busy at the time I placed the order.
Jeff said it would ship on a certain date and he was true to his word.
This is how it arrived. Very well packed and in a nice wood box that was double boxed. No worries with Jeff's shipping methods.

Mounting this to my turntable required some machining. I had to find a shop to do this as I no longer have access to a mill and lathe to do the required modifications.
I was very fortunate to find a local shop that specializes in custom prototype machining.



Having the required work performed for the tonearm to fit I finished some detail work.


Engine turning the top of the tonearm pillar.

I did some research and calculations to determine the cartridge that would best match the arm. The Ortofon 2M Black was in the middle of the pack so I purchased that and had it ready to install upon arrival of the arm.

Then the assembly and setup began.

After setting up the arm based on the AudioMods suggestions It was time to give it a spin...


To say this is a worthwhile upgrade is an understatement.
SQ has improved from my previous cart ( Denon 110) and arm Thorens TD 280 tonearm is a giant leap.

I cannot say enough to endorse the AudioMods arm. Huge improvement, easy setup and reasonable price speaks volumes.

Give it a try and enjoy!

Thanks to those that responded to my initial request.
Good luck !

Bob nice looking setup, and welcome to the Audiomods club. It's a very nice arm for the money. The only other arm in that price range that might give it a run is the Jelco. It just depends on if you like swapping out cartridges then the Jelco is your choice. I have a AQ pt-9 which is a straight tube 750. I love it also but I think the Audiomods just sounds a little more refined. Now that he offers basically an arm for med to high compliance cartridges also it's going to be hard to beat these arms. How he does it for the price I don't know, but I am glad he does.
Happy Listening

[Bob2]

"Bob nice looking setup, and welcome to the Audiomods club. It's a very nice arm for the money. The only other arm in that price range that might give it a run is the Jelco. It just depends on if you like swapping out cartridges then the Jelco is your choice. I have a AQ pt-9 which is a straight tube 750. I love it also but I think the Audiomods just sounds a little more refined. Now that he offers basically an arm for med to high compliance cartridges also it's going to be hard to beat these arms. How he does it for the price I don't know, but I am glad he does.
Happy Listening "

Thanks! As a Machinist I can appreciate the quality of the work Jeff at Audiomods provides. I wish he had a 12 inch version. I would add that A.S.A.P..
Vinyl has never sounded better here. Well worth the investment!
Cheers!