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technics SP-25 armboard

I need to a adapt an Audioquest PT-5 tonearm to a Technics SP-25 turntable base. The round hole is pre-cut to 5 1/2" in diameter and 3/4" deep on the table base. I could buy the official, original armboard but it is designed especially for the EPA-500 tonearm assembly and would need to be adapted for the Audioquest arm. It might be cheaper to build one from scratch with all the correct measurements. Any suggestion will be appreciated.
sharpe
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
I have one about that size; I use to be a Technics dealer when the SP-25 was new and had some of them. Is the armboard black by any chance? It is probably for another table but just don't remember.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
Sharpe, I was confronted with the same problem. My plinth
is for both: the SP 10 and the SP-25. The armbase is drilled for the EPA 500. To build one 'from scratch' will not be easy. Those are thick (3cm?) and complex armboards to make.Ie expensive. My solutions was to buy the Lustre GST 1 tonearm and adjust the armboard accordingly. The Lustre has SME like base and you will need to do some woodwork to get the arm in the right position. Be very careful with spindel- pivot distance. The advantage is that you don't need some other or new armboard. BTW you can sell your Audioquest arm and buy the Lustre more easilly.

Regards,
pryso
1,908 posts
 
Nandric, did you meant SP-15? I believe that and the SP-25 require the same cut out, thus fit into the same plinth. The SP-10 and SP-10 Mk 2 and Mk 3 have a different pattern, thus fit into a different plinth.

For the OP, it should not be difficult to fabricate a new armboard to drill for the PT-5. The main question may be should he utilize marine ply, solid hardwood, aluminum, acrylic, etc.?
sharpe OP
9 posts
 
Hi Stanwal:
The official Technics armboard is the black pre-drilled EPA-B500.
I have one installed in a SL-1015 with the EPA-A501H straight titanium tonearm and stem. It is a great arm but seems to be designed for light weight cartridges only as my Rondo Blue is too heavy. I currently have a Denon DL-160 mounted on it and it sounds great.
Rather than try to adapt the official Technics armboard for the SP-25, it may be easier to custom build an armboard out of maple or oak and use the EPA-B500 as a template for the outer dimensions and mounting holes only and position the stem hole to accept the Audioquest PT-5 arm.
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