Tag: tonearm

Written by Dr Richard Varey

A tale of two tonearms

I renovated an old Micro Seiki MA-77 branded manufactured tonearm with new parts. I also made one from salvaged bits. NZ$450 approx. vs NZ$30 approx. With the success of the latter, I wouldn’t have done the former!

Written by Dr Richard Varey

Shoestring salvage Shoe Horn tonearm project

I’m a frugal fidelity finder, and my latest project has turned out to be a (modest, humble even) reuse triumph. My wife spotted this $4 product in a local shop, and I immediately thought ‘tonearm’! Apart from super glue (which hasn’t been used on the arm), it’s almost the only thing purchased for the project. […]

Written by Dr Richard Varey

Vintage tonearm restoration detective work

I’m fascinated with vintage gear that remains operational because it’s expertly engineered, and what seemed to be a Fidelity Research FR-24 Mk2 tonearm came up locally. The seller thought it was a 12″ Audio-Technica AT-1005 variant transcription (professional) model. That’s understandable, as it’s unbranded and it had an AT headshell attached, and looks like the […]

Written by Dr Richard Varey

Vintage C. E. C. tonearm, by another name

This name may not be well known, but their products are widespread among those of us who have enjoyed records. C.E.C. Chuo Denki Co., Ltd. was established in Tokyo in 1954, when the audio industry was still in its infancy. The company then introduced a high precision phono motor, which is being used by many […]

Written by Dr Richard Varey

A very practical guide on cartridge setup

A four-part talk through key settings and refinements for best performance from a pickup cartridge and tonearm. There’s plenty of other experience in this, even for the experienced. Turntable Set Up Guide Part 1: Why You Need to Do It Yourself Turntable Set Up Guide Part 2: Dialing In Tracking Force By Ear http://www.thebrokenrecord.net/turntable-set-up-guide-part-3-setting-arm-height-vta-and-sra-by-ear/ http://www.thebrokenrecord.net/advanced-turntable-set-up-in-the-zone-with-vta/

Written by Dr Richard Varey

Porcelain moving coil cartridges with animal decoration from Chinese mythology, and much more, from Jasmine Audio

Some beautiful white and blue cartridges caught my attention, and then I discovered there’s a wide range of high performance audio products from Jasmine Audio Co. Ltd., of Shenzen, China. There’s art in this meeting of analogue technology and Chinese culture in these stylish products. I see growing interest in Hi-Fi gear from China and […]