I used a Graham 2.2 on an Orbe SE for years and liked the combo. It was a big improvement from the Origin Live RB250 I used before it. |
I'd really recommend the AudioMods arm. Too bad that you couldn't have bought that along with the table since it was already mounted. Excellent arm.
The Rega RB-1000, at the price you stated you could get it at, is also a very good choice. |
I heard a Wilson Benesch Act arm on an Orbe with a Lyra cartridge and it sounded very good. |
Lots of tonearms out there but you need to consider the weight of the tonearm. The Gyro SE is set up to balance out a tonearm/plate combination of 1kg (2.2 lb) so that the suspension works properly.
I've been running a SME 309 with my Gyro SE and it's a natural fit. I don't see used 309s for sale very often but you might get lucky and find one for $1500 or so.
Otherwise, the Moerch UP4 uni-pivot tonearm seems to be a highly-regarded 'arm for the Gyro SE. I've seen them used for less than $1500.
A 10" tonearm would need to have a special arm plate or extension made to use it with the Gyro SE. Again, weight might be a factor, as well the added leverage of the arm stuck out there beyond the normal mounting distance.
Enjoy that Gyro SE, it's a great sounding turntable with a very distinctive appearance. I left the suspension tower covers off and prefer the look without them.
Regards,
Tom |
I loved my Gyro Se II. I used an SME iV that I bought from 2Juki on ebay from Japan and it was a wonderful combination. A 20 ft wide soundstage and a floating image. Lively, detailed yet with bass. I see alot of Rega RB300/303 with Michell. Not sure how it sounds on a Gyro but had one on a vpi and it was great. More solid more grounded than the gyro/sme combo.
Hope this helps... |
I have used a Rega RB 300, a RB 1000 and eventually a Triplanar V11, with a variety of Lyra carts, on a TT that started life as a Gyro SE and ended up with all the mods of the Orbe variant. Great table that did justice to every arm/cart upgrade etc
NJoy |
Thanks for your response. I checked out your system-maybe in a couple of years I'll go with the TW Acustic Raven myself. I'd love to-in fact, that's probably where I'd like to end up. You liked the RB1000 on the Gyro/Orbe, though? Here's my question-if you did it over again, would you go with the RB-1000 way over an Origin Live arm or an SME? I know the Gyro SE will probably be good with any of them, and I'm worrying too much, but I am very interested in your thoughts. |
Thank all of you guys for your time to expound a bit on your opinions.. It sounds like it's pretty much a buyer's market and there are several arms that will work well. I normally am able to avoid being swayed by hype, but I'll confess, the Origin Live ads with "soundbyte" style quotes threw me...I was all set to buy an SME M2-9, an arm that I've heard from several people is a very good arm and an exceptional value. Then, on the Origin Live site, I saw the quotes from reviews stating that various arms were "the finest arm built to date", and "the SME V sounds monochrome by comparison." I find this stuff hard to believe. I have no doubt that Origin makes some fine arms, but really? An SME V sounds monochrome by comparison? Geez. And the one that really queered the deal, really made me doubt the choice I had made, was the statement made by the guy who started ADC saying something to the effect of "all the wasted years listening to SME." I gotta think this is nonsense. So-though I may buy an SME arm after all that, I'll always be wondering if an Origin Live Zephyr or an Encounter might've been a better choice. I guess I should know better, as to this date one of the nicest setups I've heard was a Jelco 750D on an old Sota Sapphire with a like-new Shure V15Vxmr on it. Almost NOBODY talks about the Jelco arms, and the apparent quality of their arms seems to be quite high. Sota's tables are venerable pieces of kit and several reviewers reference turntables, but they certainly aren't new and "in vogue." And the Shure cartridge-out of production for years now. From what I've seen, SME doesn't use defamatory quotes about other makers. Nor does Rega, or Jelco for that matter. I guess that should tell me the real story right there!
So I guess I should just pay my money and take my chances. I'm sure it's not going to suck. Thanks again, fellow "Goners! |
Go for the SME M2-9. You can't go wrong with SME! I have a 309 that I bought more than 20 years ago when it was $1200 new,now it is over $2400. I think the M2-9 is a bargain at $1000! |
Jon Michell used the SMEV in the development of the Gyro/Orbe. I've always used the SME V with my Orbe SE. Many users have also raved about the Orbe/Graham 2.2 combo as well as the Gyro/Moerch combo. I've acquired an used Graham 2.2 about 6 months ago, but have not had a chance to switch over to give it a listen.
As other have indicated, weight is a concrrn. Some can be compensated with a lighter armboard. Contact the distributor and the arm manufacturer to make sure they can supply an armboard for the particular arm. Some arms like the Graham Phantom and Dynavector are just way too heavy. But I've seen a guy in Singapore with the Orbe SE/ Dynavector combo. Not sure how he did it.
FrankC |
I used a SME V with my Gyro SE II and thought that combo with Lyra cartridge was very good. |
I had good luck with unipivots, especially the Morch UP4 and DP6. |
I have the new VPI 3D arm and am shocked at its prat and musicality which you place on your list of requirements. I know its expensive, but an easy installation and ultimately satisfying. At least give it a listen. |
Dhcod- The Morch / Moerch DP6 is not a unipivot. The UP4 is. The DP6 is a fine arm for any turntable, however. |
Stringreen...while I agree with you that the new 3D VPI arm is great, I don't think it can be mounted on a Gyro SE. Because of the junction box for connection, there just isn't enough room for it on the SE version. Maybe it could be used, but you'd have to modify the table somewhat. |
Mofi....I've seen an installation on that table with a VPI 10.5 (though not a 3D) ...VPI provided a tonearm cable with increased length...the junction box was mounted on the lower base with double stick tape. I think there was a very small up charge on the modification, but the owner seemed to like the results. Check with VPI if you have questions...but I think its doable. If you have the choice, I recommend the Discover cable rather than the more expensive Nordost. The Discover has that lush/musical midrange...the Nordost is more sparkling in the highs. |
Stringreen...sorry, I stand corrected. I have never seen the VPI arm on a Gyro SE. I have seen it on a regular Gyrodec that has the acrylic bottom base. The SE stands for "spider edition" and doesn't have a base. You would have to mount it to the circular bottom beam/rail to make it work. |
i believe the tecno arm was designed to match Michell tables. i think it is a modified rb300 |
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