Opinions: Oracle/SME IV/ Monster Alpha2

Re: SME arm and Oracle... meant "simpatico". "Sypatico" sounds like a cross between a mental illness and a skin disease ;-)

Thanks, guys. I did the deal yesterday. I'm on a tight cartridge budget for now. Too bad about the Benz Glider, as it was on my short list. The other budget cartridge I was considering, Grado Reference Sonata, is probably a no-go, too. A friend has a Reference Silver on his Alexandria and it hums like crazy. The Dynavector 20XL is also in my price range. Any others that come to mind?

P.S. Turns out that this is a MkIII with very low hours on it. In fact, unused for a long time since the stylis went South. Aside from a new belt, (just on general principle), is there anything else that should be done. Suspension and motor appear to work perefctly. Any mods or upgrades that are commonly recommended? Thanks again.

Doug...Just getting back to normal after Le Mans. Yeah, I did the whole 24 hours on Speedvision. Then, the movie afterwards. Crashed real good after that.

I'm following you at every turn. Hope you're taking a good line ;- First my Shankelized GTWee6 project. Now an Oracle. Scary, man. "Il Mostro" is kicking much "coolo" as a modified 2.5, can't wait to get to 3.0 164S specs for the street later this year (my Christmas present?) and maybe Columbo Corsa cams in between smog checks.

Back to audio...I'm on the cheap for a cartridge. Any thoughts? Thought about a Grado Reference Sonata -- but my buddy with an Alexandria had hum up the you-know-what. I'd like to stay at $500-$700 "retail". My table has a Monster Alpha Genisis 2 which needs to be re-tipped. Everyone I've spoken to says it's not worth it. My budget standby, Blue Point Special, seems like it doesn't live up to my upgrade in tables. What to do?

Thanks, Jim.

Doug, thanks for the cartridge advice. I need to stick a medium to high output right now. I'll eventually get the phono stage modified, but I just don't want to send my pre-amp back to Audible Illusions since they are notoriously slow. By the way, where did you find SZ headers? Did you order from Europe or find a source here? I have the Euro downpipes and will go with Stebro once the current exhaust gives up the ghost. Really fine stuff.

Kubla, although I'm hot to trot with the new table, I'm thinking about taking it to Brooks for whatever mods I can afford right now. From my understanding, MkIII's with serial numbers after 8135 can be fully upgraded to MkV specs. I think the mod you're referring to includes the Delrin pillars, counterweight and hard acrylic mat. This is probably my limit for now as I've been getting one system upgrade after another lately and need to slow things down. I think the total upgrade to MkV specs is around $1300 -- actually a bargain with a used table. Thanks for the info.

Thanks, Doug. I think I'll live with the bps until I can find something much, much better used.

Small world... Giovanni is the only other guy I know with SZ headers. He hangs at the same shop I do, Omega Motorsports. He just did a nice job on his Milano Verde; all-out 3litre, full Evo body trim, etc. His car is supposed to be featured in European Car pretty soon along with a stock Verde and a local 164Q. Keep an eye out.
Best, Jim.

Now amybe you need a set of SZ/ES30 wheels for your "Il Mostro". Also on the GTWeee6 page, Sandro had access to these and my fav's, restored Ronal A1's, in Switzerland. Speaking of stuff from over the pond, getting ready to restore the Euro bumpers that have been sitting around for a year. Thanks again for the info, Doug.

P.S. What's the rep of Mayberry Lincoln-Mercury (ouch!!!)here in L.A. re: Panteras? The new business hasn't quite taken off yet (at least at the bottom line), but if it does soon I want to be ready ;-) Plus, I have a couple of non-rewarding Alfa's to sell that will help jump start my Pantera or 308GT4 purchase. Best, Jim.

Doug, thanks for the link re: Mayberry. The "ouch" was misplaced -- didn't refer to them. Yeah, we're way off topic. Best, Jim.