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Any decent improvments left for my ES-1?

Yes, I'm still using my AR ES-1. Over the years it's been modified with parts and whatnot from Scillia and Sound of the Wood. New springs, platter, bearing, motor, plinth heavily damped with the SotW damping material. By and large it sounds pretty good. I'm using a Denon 103R which I will probably send to Soundsmith for a new tip and Ruby cantilever.

I'm sure the thing that's really holding me back is my old MMT arm (don't laugh!). Not a great arm in the history of arms. So I'm looking to replace it. Willing to buy used. I need some firsthand recommendations on a good arm that works really well with this table and low to medium compliance carts.

I will admit that if I took all the money I spent over the years on this table and had it now I could probably buy a nice used VPI or Clearaudio. But if I can improve something that's already had the investment made by finding a good arm I'd choose that route.

Oh, if I can get an arm with some means of azimuth and vertical height adjustment, all the better. Looking for used << $1K.
tonyptony

Showing 2 responses by ddarch44

ddarch44's avatar
ddarch44
40 posts
 
I think going for the COMPLETE Merrill platter system would result in a higher level of detail retrieval from your lps. The whole system is: 1)upgraded drive shaft/spindle; 2)acrylic platter; 3)lead mat; 4)outer ring clamp and 5)record weight.

In my opinion, once you own the whole platter system (originally designed by George and later refined by Anthony) you will never be able to go to another table.

Dave
ddarch44's avatar
ddarch44
40 posts
 
Great. Did you do the stub/spindle too? Don't discount the improvement of this part over the mass produced shaft/spindle pridcued by AR in the 1000s. These are singly made of a much better grade stainless steel to much finer tolerances.

Dave
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