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Help with OL-Tonearm and Cartridge.

I am in the process of shopping for a tonearm/cartridge and have heard good things about the REGA arms. These get very favorable comments from the user community once origin live performs modifications to the arm.

I have been researching tonearms and found that Origin Live has introduced their own arm. Its called the OL 250 Silver Tonearm and comes it two flavors. I was hoping someone could give me any insight as to what they have heard or experienced about this arm. How do you think this arm compares with the stock REGA arms? How would it compare with the Graham or SME arms?

My goal is to pair an arm up with a MC cartridge. Assuming that my phono stage has a high gain (68dB)output, what output cartridge voltage would be better and why? Would it be better to pair up a higher output MC cartridge, for example 0.8mv, with this gain stage as opposed to going with the really low output cartridges?

Is there really a noticeable difference between MC or MM cartridges in sound?

Thanks

Thanks
tazuser

Showing 1 response by marakanetz

marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
It doesn't make a sence to use hither output cartridge. If you get a hith gain phono it means you need to benefit from lower output cartridges that have better transperency and stage without loosing dynamics and presentation.
On the other hand if your phono has gain adjustment you should probably set it for 53...57dB. The gain adjustment or choosing the right gain for your cartridge is necessary to acheive the linear operation of amplification devices(not only the phono preamp).
OL arm has better phono wires and heavy counterweight that can accommodate heavier cartridges than Rega. Still there is a need for VTA which might be made by turntable manufacturers(other than Rega on wonder). Rega makes only spacers since they have their own philosophy about their arms. If you get Michell or Basis turntable you'll be able to get VTA for Rega arm. There isn't azimuth adjustment which also has to deal with the linearity of tracking.
I own Incognito RB300 modified arm and it different in better 3d stage and details due to a high quality wires, separate ground plug and heavy counterweight. But always remember that it's still REGA and not OL. It looks like REGA and it can never be adjusted to your cartridge like Graham or SME arms.
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