And the Audiomods mounts at the same 222mm distance as the OL and Rega arms as well.
Clearaudio 9" arms also use 222mm spindle/pivot distance.
Tone arm vs Cartridge upgrades
Another question regarding upgrading the analogue section of my system.
In general is money better spent upgrading a cartridge vs tone arm?
Current tone arm is an Origin Live Silver and cartridge Soundsmith Zephyr Mk III on a Feikert Volare TT. Using Leben electronics and DeVore O93 speakers.
Price point around 2K to spend. ( Note there is a trade up program with Origin Live which would likely extend the actual price point on a tone arm).
Thanks, in advance for your insights.
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TT's like yours, and Arms like yours are favored by people who like 'rigid' and use only one carefully chosen cartridge. It's arm height adjustment using the arm post's top and bottom mounting bolts is 'solid', but the least friendly of any, just better than none. It has no azimuth adjustment. That can be solved via a headshell, but this one is fixed, so either it is 'right' or shims, a true PITA. It's got good wire, I cannot imagine another arm 'sounding' better, just more accommodating, and each accommodation can be considered by some as an opportunity for error. I think it is my job to get it 'right' without errors. Above plinth loose wires often allow 'pushback', effecting/complicating anti-skate, yours is a below deck captive connector, I prefer that. I assume you are using measurable tools and revealing methods for tracking force and anti-skate, rather than trusting instructions involving dials. At the very least: I definitely want to use a stereo cartridge and a true mono cartridge for my Mono Jazz LPs. beyond that, I like my small collection of cartridges with a variety of internal technology, stylus shapes and cantilever materials. Your cartridge is aluminum cantilever, I encourage trying boron, even risking used to get beryllium, I convince myself, my friends agree, that we can hear subtle differences, lighter/stiffer besting aluminum. For you, a cartridge change will be more audible, however it needs careful mounting/alignment/calibration, and you can read all you want, the sound will be 'preferred', not better, maybe. So, answer: BOTH, to use that (any) single arm TT, consider a more accommodating/adjustable tonearm and then a few alternate cartridges. A micro-Seiki 505 will give you a below deck din connector, precise tracking force, precise anti-skate, removable headshell, azimuth adjustable headshell fitting, and easy arm height adjustability, it's a great choice for a single arm TT and a small collection of cartridges pre-mounted, ready to swap. A variety are listed, pay attention to all the details, I learned about them helping my friend put a short and a long one on his two arm Luxman PD444 TT https://www.hifishark.com/search?q=micro+seiki+505 https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11900
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Here’s an opportunity to take a chance on a used AT160ML MM Cartridge with MicroLine Stylus on Beryllium Cantilever, in an AT Magnesium Headshell that provides both Azimuth adjustment and ’concealed’ overhang adjustment. This is my preferred cartridge, for it's sound, imaging, and light 1.25g tracking. https://auc.aleado.com/yahoo/lot?auctionID=v1204216654#enlargeimg You need an account with Aleado, a bidding agent, enough verified funds in your account to cover your bid, and then there are many small add on charges, double shipping (seller ships in Japan to Aleado who verifies the item) (Aleado gives you alternate methods/costs to choose to ship to you). Even with the add-ons, I have done well for about half a dozen items this way. I do not know this seller. Shipping to USA will resume, 15% tariffs added/billed later on the net winning cost of the item, no tarrifs on the add-on charges. ............................. I like Boron if buying new, and I see they still sell 3 VMN Boron Stylii that fit these older AT150, AT155, AT160; AT440 bodies AT-VMN45xML (microlinear/nude/boron cantilever)
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