Micro Seiki MA 505 vs Triplanar MK VII UII


I have both of these arms and was considering selling the Micro Seiki, I have read some good things about it. It just doesn't get that much play these days. I don't need to sell it but as I said it doesn't get much play and maybe someone else could enjoy it. I can't see putting a expensive cartridge on it to compare it to my triplanar/Sotto Voce cartridge setup just for the sake of knowing so any insight would be appreciated!!!


jsman
jsman,

Since I'm not looking to sell my MA505 I've not made any attempt to keep up on current values.  My comment was based on experience a couple of years ago.

@pryso,
Now that you mentioned it, what would be the going rate for the MA 505 in good condition?
Hi sam,

A few years ago I got a MA505S which I discovered had a counterweight stub which was not secure and therefore drooped.  Closer examination revealed one of the tiny screws near the connection point was missing (it turned out it had be broken off) and the stub could be physically moved by light finger pressure.

I posted a question about this online and a couple of replies assured me this was normal.  But even if I don't remember much from high school physics I didn't see how this could not be harmful.

Fortunately I contacted Jim Howard at Applied Fidelity who had experience making this repair.  He was successful with mine and luckily his charge and the bargain I got with the arm initially totaled close to the going rate for a good one.  The unfortunate news is we lost Jim Howard recently.  But hopefully some other tech may be able to handle such a repair, I have proof it can be fixed correctly.

I have no idea what the cause might be for this malfunction.

One question about the MA505: I've seen samples where the counterweight is drooping. Mine is fine, but if it does happen, is there a fix for it?

cleeds, You are repeating my question without any answer because

your ''suspition'' does not answer anything. I stated my own ''suspition'' but about my own Triplanar and asked other owners if their Triplanar  has the same, say, deviation. To satify your curiosity my Triplanar VII  was brand new when purchased as

was/is my Reed 3P but not my FR-64 S which track better than other two despite the fact that it was second hand. The involved properties are all of the physical nature  so no mystery should be involved.

nandric

Hi cleeds, You are avoiding my question. My question was if any of your carts can track more than 50 microns with your Triplanar?

I'm not avoiding anything. You've never asked me that question. Please get your facts straight.

I don't personally own a Triplanar. But if you're stating that the Triplanar's tracking is easily bested by the FR regardless of cartridge, then I have to wonder about the state of your Triplanar. 

I do have experience with the Triplanar, although it was a much earlier version than the present model. It was an extraordinary tracker. Hence my suspicion that your Triplanar was purchased used and may be damaged. I understand that you think that has nothing to do with it, but it has everything to do with it. If you're using a pickup arm of unknown origin and/or condition, then nothing you conclude about its performance is valid ... except that your shrouded-in-mystery Triplanar doesn't track especially well.

Hi cleeds, You are avoiding my question. My question was if

any of your carts can track more than 50 microns with your

Triplanar?  Your question if MY Triplanar was new or second

hand has nothing to do with my question. My assumption is that

because of the energy transfer problem by Triplanar (pace Syntax)

this arm resonate by 60 microns trackabilty test and skeeps the

grooves at this ''obstacle''.  I asked the same question in the

Triplanar thread but got no answer whatever.

Wasn't looking for published reviews just the opinions of others who know from their own trials and tribulations...
I assume your don't listen to "test records" and since you own both arms, why not just keep the arm that sound best to "you".  You don't need published reviews to validate your decision.  Trust your ears. 
nandric

... I also stated ''My Triplanar can't track anything above 50 Microns ...

If you're stating that the Triplanar's tracking is easily bested by the FR regardless of cartridge, then I have to wonder about the state of your Triplanar. Did you buy it used?


Hi cleeds, Your quotation is selective. I also stated ''My Triplanar

can't track anything above 50 Microns''. You should try whatever

cart you like and if any of them get more then 50 microns I will

accept your denial.

nandric


 ... carts which track 70 microns with my FR-64 s can't track more than 50 microns with the Triplanar ...
These two arms each have a very different effective mass, with the Fidelity Research being much higher than the Triplanar. So I wouldn't expect a cartridge that tracks well in one to track equally well in the other.


This is a very sensitive subject matter. Despite of this my advice is

to compare both arms with ''tracking ability'' test record(s). My Triplanar

can't track anything above 50 Mirons. Syntax mentioned  the problem

with ''energy  transfer'' by Triplanar. It may be the case

that my sample is defective but I was not able to find anything

wrong. Anyway carts which track 70 microns with my FR-64 s can't

track more than 50 microns with the Triplanar. I am sure that your

Micro is better in this regard.