Another “How to choose an arm” question
I currently have a Sota Saphire running an SAEC We317 arm (221mm spindle to pivot and 12 mm overhang).
That is running a Garrott Bros p77i, but I have been looking at some LOMC cartridges, as well as SoundSmith LO-MI, AT ART, etc.
How is one supposed to determine their current arm is good or not?
It sounds fine and I would think that the knife edge design is not prone to a lot of wear.
However it was recommend that I upgrade the arm… But how would I know “to what”, and how would I know if the upgrade is worthwhile?
I was looking at some DD tables to have a more expanded choice of arms that can be mounted, as the Sota is a bit restrictive in that regard. That is still on the cards as a possibility… however assuming that the Sota is a keeper, then how do I determine the arm’s adequacy, being “fit for purpose”?
Short answer - don't know. When Peter was in NZ a few years ago we had a listening session and I heard the whole range including the strain gauge. Later on my friend bought the Paua, which is superb in my view, but I haven't done a side by side with a low output vs high output at the same price point. It could be the low output are "quicker" - certainly the Paua sounds ike a very refined moving coil - like a Spendor speaker in presentation. Its a bit of a dilemma. |
According to Soundmsith you can use a step up transformer with their low ouput MI's. A 1:10 transformer will present 470ohms to the cartridge which is about as low as you can go. A friend of mine has the Soundsmith Paua, which I really like - better than his Koetsu Rosewood & Lyra Helikon SL - but it needs to see about 800-900 ohms. I would personally avoid using a step up transformer because of the lack of adjustment of impedance seen by the cartridge ( you can load transformers but that has issues ). Also I feel any gains from going to the low output can easily be lost with the addition of a step up transformer and cables. The 2 options are if you run a low output Sounsmith MI get their matching phono - its quite reasonable and stands up to both a Lamm & Linn Uphorik with the SS MI - I've tried them. OR Look at their medium and high output options.
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Soundsmith have a range of medium output cartridges that suit phonos with 48-54db of gain. Some are low compliance, some are medium compliance. https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges/317/medium-output https://www.sound-smith.com/cartridge-compliancearm-mass-chart
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Excellent tonearm, should fit the Sota. The Kuzma 4Points are very quick, transparent and importantly very easy to set up and adjust. It would be a massive upgrade on your SAEC - more detail, quicker, more dynamic. The 4Point is a medium mass arm which means it will suit a wide variety of cartridges. A SOTA/4Point combo would be very hard to beat without spending a significant amount more - its a combination that should satisfy you for years. If I was in your position I would not look at a new TT, I would get your SOTA serviced, and updated if you want and add the 4Point - then you are done for many years.
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