Micro Seiki DD 40 Dual Tonearm installation

I think it is not the best idea to add a 2nd arm to THAT TT

The DD40 designed with optional 2nd armboard adapter.

1. it would need to be mounted on the left side, thus backwards. I did backwards for my 3rd arm, but it is awkward at best. Beyond normal caution placing/removing LP’s is needed.

You did it anyway.🤔

2. it would be outside of the dust cover when closed, thus the precision arm always subject to dust, air-borne pollutants

A custom made over plinth dust cover is the solution.

3. while it could be a long arm, not likely, the primary arm’s length is limited. IF the left backward arm was long, that would move it further away from the platter, more room for your hands placing LP’s, so if you proceed with this project, think Long!!!

A removable armboard attach to the plinth is much easy to work with than drill holes on a plinth without removable armboard. Also, the DD40 has screw holes for armbord mounting, its can revert to original easily.

Actually, if you think Long (time) ask yourself if you would regret it.

Did you?

@horsestuff,

This is what you need.

imhififan

so what do you think of my 3 arm rig?

@elliottbnewcombjr 

I think you've spent a lot of effort to accommodate the 3rd arm on your table since it is not design for that.

imhififan

People, OP, you and many others I presume, must love that TT, I don’t know anything about it.

I’m not going without a dust cover, and it has to look good, a custom one hanging off the edge of it just doesn’t appeal to me. I see these fantastically expensive TT’s with no dust cover, I just shake my head.

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My 3rd arm came about without advance planning. It serves it’s important purpose, Mono cartridge ready to play instantly, but it is squeezed in there and looks it. Not regrettable, but not ’right’.

I learned here the benefit of playing Mono LPs with a true Mono Cartridge. Makes a small to very large and important difference. I’m very glad I took that advice, I mix Stereo and Mono on the fly during listening sessions, especially Jazz.

Install of 3rd arm was easy, hole for din cable; small diameter surface mounted base. Researching what would fit, both close to very wide platter rim, and short rear counterweight portion and height under the dust cover when on was tricky. Happily seller had experience and gave me precise answers. (1/8" clearances in 3 places)

Like I said before, extra caution is needed placing/removing LP’s. It is locked down with a twistie because, even though I am left-handed, I knocked it across two new LP’s soon after I installed it (arm doesn’t lock firmly to it’s rest). A different arm with more secure locking rest would be better anywhere, especially on the left.

Much later I found out JVC made a very rare CL-P3 Plinth with 3 removable armboards. You would like that, so would I, had I known. That moves the left arm a natural looking and functioning distance away. I recently found one in Hong Kong, had a deal, seller hesitated getting shipping prices (slow and expensive due to covid restrictions), I changed my mind. 2" wider, see my setup, would just barely fit, needed refinishing which I could do, lot of work, then sell my existing, .... I decided to live with what I ’so cleverly’ did.

Why 3rd arm? I was all set with right long stereo arm (12.5" effective Blackbird, fixed cartridge, from Russia), and rear mono arm (Acos Lustre GST-801, removable headshell, unique magnetics, and VTA on the Fly). Awesome, DONE!

However, I realized I was putting unnecessary wear on my non-replaceable MC while playing some LPs (keepers, but not too special SQ/Imaging). And playing some to sell. Soooo, move Mono to 3rd arm, put MM on rear arm, how smart am I?
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I was thinking long, Reach, not Time.

My TT came about because I wanted a long Tonearm. It was the 1st thing I asked advice about here,

That led to recommended JCV Victor 7082 arm with both removable headshell and VTA on the Fly. Also taught here, most need the black rubber gasket replaced, I messed with one, fixed it with plumbing grommet from Home Depot, but the deck had problems had to return it. That arm is only 9-7/8" effective anyway.

I found my 12.5" effective arm in Russia, stalled, couldn’t get it out of my mind, took the risk. Bought a Square Trade warranty, luckily it paid for a needed re-wire due to design defect they have since solved. Have a look at the TT photos, that very long tonearm just barely fits inside the dust cover also, side/rear/height (again, seller gave me precise answers).

Every time I play my LP’s I am thankful for all I learned and the help I was given here, I never imagined what I ended up with.