Do you take your arms off?
Posted by: Rockingdoc on 30 October 2002
Ever since Linn introduced the Ittok they have issued dire warnings that their arms must be removed from the turntable before changing cartridges. The theory being that the "considerable forces" involved in tightening the high tensile cartridge bolts will be transmitted to the arm bearings and destroy them.
Do any of you actually remove the arm to change a cart. I certainly don't. More to the point, do approved Linn dealers really remove the arms in their secret workshops.
BTW I now have both an Ittok and an Ekos running in matched LP12s, with close serial numbers, and believe that there is really very little evidence to say that the Ekos is better. The Ittok was the best Linn could do at the time and I believe that a good one can be really very good.
malcolm
Posted on: 04 November 2002 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by mike lacey:
My servicing experience is very limited - have never had my Kabers seen to
Mike,
lucky you.
Having sent my Isobariks to Scotland at great expense, they failed to notice one of the bass drivers wasn't working.
Doesn't exactly inspire confidence!
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 04 November 2002 by Rockingdoc
Had plenty of time this weekend to play with the sticky Ittok, and if I've damaged it, I couldn't hear any evidence. I have to say again, that a good Ittok and a good Assaka are a fabulous combination to listen to for an extended period. I really don't think the Ekos/Troika is better.
As for the green glass paper; glass may be softer than diamond, but that doesn't mean it can't do damage. I suspect my vinyl records are softer than the styli, but the styli still wear out.
malcolm
Posted on: 04 November 2002 by Greg Beatty
"I think their quality control standards are such that there is ONLY ONE MAN doing the winding for the the new Arkiva!"
I remember that Rega only had one person that could adjust the bearings on the RB900 when it first came out. Don't know if this is still the case.
- GregB
Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Posted on: 04 November 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
As for the green glass paper; glass may be softer than diamond, but that doesn't mean it can't do damage. I suspect my vinyl records are softer than the styli, but the styli still wear out.
malcolm
Hi Malcolm
Had a look at the stylus on my very early Arkiv under a microscope saturday as it was being booked in for sservice. It was worn; not very badly but enough for me to look to upgrade to Arkiv Boron or possibly the Arkiva (if business is good.) A single stroke every now and again is all I us ( oo er Missus, yes I know ) coupled with a vibrating pad ( cue Kenneth Williams type paroxysms ) which does the job. Good ten years service from the old one; cannot say how much wear from glasspaper, how much from vinyl.
Mike
Posted on: 04 November 2002 by Bob Shedlock
Fascinating thread! If you stop and consider the relative forces a stylus is subjected to, perhaps it would be more intuitive.
The equivalents of hundreds of pounds of force, racing through a grove at hundreds of miles an hour and generating temperatures in excess of 1000's degress from friction. (This from a 1950 book of high fi, and refering only to mono, stereo records are even tougher)
At the bearing end, the idea is zero friction from the bearings. Even an imperceptible surface deviation will increase bearing friction and cause sticking. See "BRINELL" and hardness. Keep in mind that a little tiny deviation will degrade performance. Linn knows how their bearings are mounted and installed, and probably know best on avoiding tortional and impact damage. Other arms being designed and built differently do not necessarily have the same install liabilities
Posted on: 05 November 2002 by Rockingdoc
when you say "under the microscope", do you actually remove the cart and place it on a microscope stage with top illumination? I use a hand-held 'scope from Tandy(Radio Shack), but it is very hard to hold steady and I'm always afraid of hitting the cantilever with the objective lens.
malcolm
Posted on: 05 November 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
Hi malcolm
The cartridge was actually removed for examination as part of the service estimate by Martin Kleiver in Beaconsfield. (And yes, the arm was removed from the 'board before dissembly!) They have a microscope there specifically to look at stylus wear. The cart is placed on a flat surface with the stylus pointing staight up, directly under the microscope and a nice bright light. I had a look myself.
That tells me a lot about their dedication and professionalism. No doubt others do it as well, but I was impressed.
I am getting the Cirkus upgrade at the same time as the service and will report back on changes for other sprogs like me.
Mike
Posted on: 06 November 2002 by Rockingdoc
The Cirkus "upgrade"? Good grief, have you read the threads on Circus?
malcolm
Posted on: 06 November 2002 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
The Cirkus "upgrade"? Good grief, have you read the threads on Circus?
malcolm
Malcolm
I have just choked on my coffee. Off to do a search....
Posted on: 06 November 2002 by jonni
Dont choke on your coffee the circus is an upgrade unless you like smeared distorted sound that is.
Some do.Mad or what?
