I just set up a highly modded ES1 with a modded rb300 (incognito, mitchell etc) and a riggle vta. I made a custom arm board which entailed modifying the acrylic sub chassis. I was skeptical about the vta until I heard it. The guy I did it for was just going on conversations he had with Pete. In short I dont know how this combo could be improved on and with the cartidges I listened on it (I hate to say it) sounded as good or better than my SME V . I think total investment was not much more than a grand.
Any decent improvments left for my ES-1?
Yes, I'm still using my AR ES-1. Over the years it's been modified with parts and whatnot from Scillia and Sound of the Wood. New springs, platter, bearing, motor, plinth heavily damped with the SotW damping material. By and large it sounds pretty good. I'm using a Denon 103R which I will probably send to Soundsmith for a new tip and Ruby cantilever.
I'm sure the thing that's really holding me back is my old MMT arm (don't laugh!). Not a great arm in the history of arms. So I'm looking to replace it. Willing to buy used. I need some firsthand recommendations on a good arm that works really well with this table and low to medium compliance carts.
I will admit that if I took all the money I spent over the years on this table and had it now I could probably buy a nice used VPI or Clearaudio. But if I can improve something that's already had the investment made by finding a good arm I'd choose that route.
Oh, if I can get an arm with some means of azimuth and vertical height adjustment, all the better. Looking for used << $1K.
I'm sure the thing that's really holding me back is my old MMT arm (don't laugh!). Not a great arm in the history of arms. So I'm looking to replace it. Willing to buy used. I need some firsthand recommendations on a good arm that works really well with this table and low to medium compliance carts.
I will admit that if I took all the money I spent over the years on this table and had it now I could probably buy a nice used VPI or Clearaudio. But if I can improve something that's already had the investment made by finding a good arm I'd choose that route.
Oh, if I can get an arm with some means of azimuth and vertical height adjustment, all the better. Looking for used << $1K.