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Well Tempered Classic or Technics SP10Mk2

I am currently using a Well Tempered Classic with a Grado Sonata Cartridge. I have the opportunity to purchase a Technics SP10 mk2 with EPA 100 tonearm with the Obsidian base. I like the Well Tempered Table but I have read much about the new respect for the Technics direct drives. Will going to the Technics be an improvement over the Well Tempered or more of a lateral move? The rest of my system is Beveridge 2sw Electrostats with Shahinian Contrabombarde subwoofer. I use the VTL ultimate preamp.Thanks in advance. Bob
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Showing 2 responses by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,134 posts
 
Macrojack said above;
The EPA-100 is a genuine contender for best arm ever made.
not that i, in any way, agree with MacroJack's statement.

i've not done the comparative listening to the better vintage arms in direct comparision to the best of today's arms; but as i've been in the market for a vintage arm (as my 5th arm) i have closely investigated this issue and i'm told that the best current arms are a few levels refinement better than any of the vintage arms by trusted friends. those 'latest design' arms are not cheap, especially in comparison to the better vintage arms.

i want a less expensive arm to use with some of the inexpensive cartridges i've accumulated.
mikelavigne
2,134 posts
 
Lew,

my mind is open. until i actually have a high quality vintage arm side by side in my system along with some of these 'giant killer' cartridges i won't know.

regarding the arms specifically; my preliminary view is that the technology and build quality of the best vintage arms is right up there or maybe even better than current arms as likely the R&D budgets that produced those arms was relatively unlimited compared to the much more 'small time' development of the current leading edge arms. OTOH the improvement in refinement and overall performance of vinyl playback in general allows for greater development of the best current arms.

even though 30-40 year old tt's drive systems are competitive with better current tt's; to get that performance we do need to 'package' them in current tech plinths and messaging. i'm not sure vintage arms are able to be improved similarly.

we'll see how my perspective plays out.

this weekend Joel Durand installed my new Talea tonearm. so i have the Rockport, 2 Reed arms on my Technics, and the Talea on my Garrard. if a vintage arm can hold it's own in that company then it will really open my eyes.
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