Which is the Better Tonearm - Pro-Ject or Rega?


Which is the better arm in your opinion, the Rega 251/202 arm that's also found on the Rega clones (Edwards Audio TT1 for example), or the Pro-Ject arm found on the Debut/Essential and Pro-Ject clones (such as the Music Hall MMF 2.2).

Does Pro-Ject's carbon arm (as found on the Debut Carbon) change your position on the comparison?

Thanks!
seadweller

Showing 2 responses by gregkohanmim

Seadweller - 

I am on my 3rd ProJect table and currently have the latest incarnation of the carbon 9cc evolution.

Some of its positive virtues are:
- Rock solid bearings without any slop at all
- Tracks exceptionally well
-Setting up VTA is simple and straight forward
-Simple to adjust perfect channel bias (verified w/ test record)
- Achieves ideal LF resonance range (also verified w/ test record)
- Can typically set up a cartridge perfectly in under 30 minutes (with caveat for anti skate noted below)
- Comes w/ 3 weights to accommodate any cartridge and the included scale is within .05g as compared with a digital force gauge
- stock wiring is pretty good (caveats below)

Some of the negatives
- The tonearm lift and arm wand rest are pretty cheap
- The anti-skate post (fishing tackle) only offers 3 settings so I've always generally set them up w/ too little than too much
- Unless purchased with as a bundle with a table, seems a little expensive for what it is.
- Wiring lugs are very very soft and delicate (common)

After looking up the audiomods tonearm after following this thread, I do like the idea of having the micron adjustment for VTA and it might be fun to put one together from kit.  That said, after reading a 6moons review I personally don't see it as an upgrade (most notably the bearing slop noted).

Take care

Greg
williewonka - Thanks for pointing that out - Good to know.

Either way the arm seems a bargain now particularly with the recent drop in GBP versus USD - Just might build one up from kit just for the fun of it.

Thanks again

Greg