I picked up an Oracle IV with 345 arm about 6 years ago. I couldn't be happier with it's performance. I started out with the monster alpha 2, purchased new from AA for a song, with this combination. I agree with Caterham that it is not worth retipping. I was never ablt to tame it enough to enjoy the music. I then went to the Benz glider, the .9mv one. While this sounded pretty good, the cartridge was not the best match for the arm. The physical light weight of the cartridge was such that I could just barely get the correct tracking force with the benz. Six months ago I purchased a Lyra Helikon and I have since gone to a whole new world! Everything I had been looking for in my analog rig came into focus.
By all means go for the Oracle. It is a great table and should be the last vinyl rig you buy! The only thing I have had to replace are the plastic rings in the towers which hold the rubber rings. Best of luck.
By all means go for the Oracle. It is a great table and should be the last vinyl rig you buy! The only thing I have had to replace are the plastic rings in the towers which hold the rubber rings. Best of luck.