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Selecting Between Vintage Denon and Microseiki Tonearms

As I work through the build on the DP 80 project, I know the Dynavector DV505 tonearm is going on that table. That means I need one more arm for the DP75 on the DK110 plinth. My preference it to keep the factory armboard and retain as much as the vintage vibe as I can. This will be my casual table. 

While I cannot confirm it, I imagine this armboard is drilled for a Denon tonearm. I have roughed the measurements out, but cannot know for certain until the Dynavector is pulled off it. 

In doing a bit of research, there are a handful of Denon arms that are worth exploring. But it looks like the Microseiki arms use the same mounting distance, and I could use one of them. 

 

For Denon I have the choices of DA 307, 309, and 401. I will use medium compliance moving coil cartridges. 

With Microseiki I have seen the MA505, 705, 303, and 707 available at various price points.

Anyone have insights on which arms are preferable? I am afraid i do not have a lot of experience with these generations of vintage arms. . 

neonknight
elliottbnewcombjr
7,729 posts
 

I re-purposed an existing hole when I changed from a 9" arm (hole I re-purposed), to a 12.5" arm. 

I made a plug, and left the plug recessed a bit below the armboard surface, so it fit a nice metal 45 adapter, looked like a factory designed recess..

billstevenson
1,183 posts
 

Well that article that Elliott supplied is interesting.  The cueing on my example is damped.  FWIW, the Antiskate setting, confirmed using AnalogMagik, is accurate.  A rarity.  Confining myself to just the tonearm, it offers exceptional versatility.  Again using AnalogMagik to optimize results, I have been able to achieve resonance values in the 8-12 Hz range for both MM and MC cartridges without having to resort to extraordinary measures.  The sound is warm, really pleasant especially for stringed instruments.  The arm alone is worth the price of admission.  

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

I've used Micro Seiki arms for decades. Both the MA-505 and the 505L will work with any cartridge. I've transitioned from cartridges like the Grace F9L (lightweight, high compliance) to more modern cartridges such as the Shelter 901 or Benz Micro LPs (heavy, low to mid compliance. I've even mounted a Koetsu. Both arms performed flawlessly. 

A few drawbacks:

Depending on cartridge weight you may need more mass for the counterweight side. Original equipment extra weights are readily available from used parts dealers such as Samurai Audio.

The anti-skate adjustment is unique and sometimes inadequate depending on cartridge. I removed the plastic knob (epoxied in place) so I could apply more anti-skate force for the heavier, low compliance cartridges. 

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