[simoon]

So, I am looking to upgrade an old Grace G-840 arm.



While not a bad arm, I know there are better. The gimbal bearing is a bit clunky by today's standards.

The arms I am considering are:

An Audiomods kit for about $650.




An Advanced Analog linear tracking arm for about $600, plus about $100 for a pump. A bit more to DIY a surge tank.






A The Wand, by a New Zealand company, Design and Build. The 12" version for $630.





The Audiomods will have the most tracking error, being a 9" arm.


The Advanced Analog will have the least. But is the most finicky. And then there is the $240 silicon damping trough, which makes a big improvement, but can be added later.

The Wand has almost zero tracking error, but is pretty bare bones. No cuing lever. And it is a uni-pivot, which I have never owned, but there are uni-picot supporters, and detractors.

I get the feeling it is a great arm.


There is also the Jelco, which can be had for about $600 for a 12". But it seems the most clunky and old fashion of the bunch.


Any other suggestions and views would be appreciated.

 

[jarcher]

I would be very surprised if anyone on AC has personal experience with most - perhaps all - of these arms........I suspect you personally will know a lot more about these choices.  All I can say is the Grace & Jelco will be easiest to resell if you're not happy with that choice.

[jsaliga]

Jelcos are very nice arms.  I used a 12" and a 9" on a Garrard 401.  The only thing about Jelco arms is mounting collar and set screw are not particular great.  There are aftermarket solutions that solve the problem and they do not cost a lot.  Otherwise, the arm itself is very good.  They OEM arms for other companies that sell them for much more money, so Jelco knows how to make a quality tone arm.

--Jerome

[neobop]

What's the matter with the G840?
Looks like a pretty good arm.

neo

[dmckean]

I have The Wand Plus 10.3 inch version and it's a really nice arm. I also have experience with an older version of the Audiomods arm on a different table and it was nice too. I would say they're both comparable to each other but The Wand is a little more damped.

[simoon]

Some nice feedback so far!

I'm actually leaning toward The Wand.

I believe the carbon fiber arm tube and the 12" length will make for a the best of all worlds. Less finicky than the linear tracker, less tracking error distortion than the 9" Audio Mods, and better damped less resonant than the Jelco.

Nothing wrong with the Grace. I just understand that there have been improvements in materials, and bearings in the last 30+ years.

 

[dmckean]

What cartridges are you planning on using?

[neobop]

Interesting thread, especially since 2 of these arms fly under the radar.   The Wand:
http://designbuildlisten.com/collections/the-wand-classic-tonearm/products/the-wand-classic-12in-unipivot-tonearm-tm

What is Wand Plus ?

Advanced Analog:
http://adanalog.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=10&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=58&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35&vmcchk=1&Itemid=35

Check this out:
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649243230-trans-fi-terminator-tone-arm/

Decisions, decisions.....
neo

[simoon]

Interesting thread, especially since 2 of these arms fly under the radar.   The Wand:
http://designbuildlisten.com/collections/the-wand-classic-tonearm/products/the-wand-classic-12in-unipivot-tonearm-tm

What is Wand Plus ?

Advanced Analog:
http://adanalog.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=10&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=58&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=35&vmcchk=1&Itemid=35

Check this out:
http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649243230-trans-fi-terminator-tone-arm/

Decisions, decisions.....
neo

The Wand Plus has hydraulic queuing, 10mm machined spindle, a 6mm machined aluminium arm rest. The Plus is only sold through retailers for quite a bit more $$.

Great price on that Terminator!