Replace/Upgrade Oracle Alexandria tonearm?


I have a Oracle Alexandria turntable with the stock 'Prelude' tonearm. Unfortunately the cueing mechanism bit the dust and basically now works like a manual arm. My local service guy (which is otherwise very accomplished and knowledgable about this turntable) says it's unlikely it can be repaired (unless one is a "swiss watchmaker"). Otherwise I dearly love this turntable. It'd dead quiet and cosmetically perfect.

Oracle isn't any help (doesn't answer emails) so I'm wondering if I should attempt replacing the tonearm.

Has anyone successfully replaced the stock arm with something different and if so, any suggestions what arm I should use? Is it even possible?
mmccoy

Showing 1 response by mmccoy

I presume you meant Linn Basik?

My apologies that I'm ignorant about changing tonearms... I've just never done it before and want to make sure I don't dig some whole I can't a) afford or b) dig myself out of ;)

So if I found an arm with the same mass as the Prelude (ala the Audioquest PT9 or Linn Basik) I can just drop it in? Mounting (etc.) should be the same?

I searched and found another couple 'Alexandria tonearm' posts recommending a "Origin Live OL-1(modified RB250), with Expressimo Audio HeavyWeight counterweight, and HiFi mod" and another saying they were happy with the RB300 on their Alexandria.

Any advice (or links to articles) for how this newbie 'mechanic' can change the tonearm on an otherwise perfect Alexandria would be greatly appreciated.

Or conversely, does anyone have a nice Prelude arm they'd like to part with?