Bill Epstein Messages: 1088 Registered: May 2009 Location: Smoky Mts. USA
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
but I just couldn't resist:
The 9" model arrived yesterday, must wait until the 4Pis are done to make an armboard, then I'll find out what a 37 gram massed arm sounds like.
Beautifully made, I've had my eye on it for over a year, the iconoclastic maker, Len, known as Saltboxe, says it's the result of many long conversations with Grados octogenarioan chief designer.
Note the cueing lever near the fulcrum and think about how clever that is. He added the one near the cart in response to convention.
Bill Epstein Messages: 1088 Registered: May 2009 Location: Smoky Mts. USA
Illuminati (2nd Degree)
Some funny stuff going on. With the arm height set and the pillar tightened down, the wires want to pull the arm outward, but only on the first 1/4 of an album so there's some distortion at first and then the rest of the record sounds really great. I haven't had time to really play with it (haven't tried the Sonata yet, just the Ace) but I do know the arm sounds better with the pillar NOT tightened down to the armboard. There doesn't seem to be enough wire behind the arm for enough 'play', either that or the gauge is too heavy. I'm not sure if it's 28 or 33 ga. Once I check that out I should be able to bend the wire where it needs to be or re-wire with some XLO 33ga.
I'm having fun. I'm even going to make another armboard for the SME III, thinking maybe the wood (walnut) has something to do with the good sound. That has me wondering if my 12" midi-lathe can handle turning a walnut platter!
I love wooden tonearms! I just spotted this post (don't know how I missed it before). That is a lovely looking arm! I have the original Grado Professional arm made of wood and just love it, too. Something about a well made wooden arm just sounds so musically correct.
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