I also have a Champ II. Latest Champ II has ceramic bearing, but Music Surroundings wants $100 for that ball. I presume you can buy standard ceramic bearing for $2 each and try, should have no ill effect long term. I also improved mine with better grease, some Superlube teflon based grease that is super wear resistant and less thick than stock grease. When I spin my platter without belt manually, it will spin free much longer than stock grease.
I am using a SME IV.Vi which is very nice. Clearaudio, like most Teutonic audio gears, are sterile and analytical. Adding a neutral arm or cartridge, IMHO, is the wrong way to go. SME is on the darker and thicker side of spectrum which mates the table well.
I am using a SME IV.Vi which is very nice. Clearaudio, like most Teutonic audio gears, are sterile and analytical. Adding a neutral arm or cartridge, IMHO, is the wrong way to go. SME is on the darker and thicker side of spectrum which mates the table well.