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Tuning Arms and Cartridges to sound better.
This is an extension of the TD124 restoration project.
By this time I've tried two different plinths, two different tonearms and 3 different MC phono cartridges. Through these trials I've determined that I prefer the much-modified Rega tonearm over the more expensive Graham 2.2 on this vintage Thorens turntable. The reason for this is that the Rega manages to deliver more of that idler "immediacy and dynamic grip" than the Graham does. I've also found that the Denon DL-103R MC cartridge is better at delivering these 'idler qualities' than either my Shelter 501-II or the more expensive Ortofon Jubilee.
The Denon cartridge is a very well thought of item among many vintage turntable afficionados. There is a kind of cult following of devotees who take the inexpensive Denon and strip off its flimsy plastic outer shell, re-mount it into a more solid exotic wood or machined aluminum case and then find a vintage tonearm of appropriate mass to fit it onto. The benefits of a body change are said to be increased frequency extension at either end, better detail extraction and a just better sounding cartridge in the general overall sense. So naturally, I'll try this.
Looking around my collection of turntable 'stuff', I don't happen to see any prized and rare vintage tonearms such as the legendary Fidelity Research FR-66S, or an SME 3012 (series 1) or an Ortofon RMG-309. Any of those have become collectible and require significant amounts of money to acquire. Rather, I've decided to take the low, inexpensive, road and modify my Rega tonearm to become a better match-up with the Denon DL-103R.
The story continues at the link below.
Denon DL-103Rnext phase: The Step Up Transformer