Victor UA-7082 Arm OR Micro Seiki MA505L ...? (both fit my existing alternate 270mm hole)

A caution for anyone considering the MS 505.  I've mentioned this elsewhere but repeat it here.

I agree with Elliot that it is a very good arm.  However many used examples have damage to the stub where the counterweight is mounted.  This is easy to determine, make sure the stub is in the same plane as the arm tube.  Many of them sag or are slightly drooped.

There is a cushion where the stub is mounted which can deteriorate with time.  That should not be overly difficult to replace unless the mounting screw is stripped.  Mine was and I had to send it to a specialist for repair.

Some may claim the stub droop is original design but it is not.

@lewm, I speak from some experience since I own a 505.  However it was used when I got it and the stub was not in the same plane as the arm tube.  After some investigation I found MS designed it to be in a single plane, so I had mine repaired as new.

However I didn't audition it before and after.  I'm not familiar with the JVC arm although I know it has a solid reputation.

For anyone with an older "primitive" arm such as lewm just described, here’s a trick I read years ago for adjusting VTA.

If there is space, use a deck of playing cards to secure the height of the arm before releasing the grub screw. Then add or remove cards as necessary to adjust to the desired height, then tighten the grub screw.

Not recommended "on the fly".