Naim Aro service options?

Posted by: Hook on 24 August 2017

Have had an LP12/Aro itch for many years, and saw an out-of-the-ordinary combo come up for sale: 25th Anniversary LP12 (1997) with gloss black plinth, Armageddon, Aro, Prefix K and Troika. The rest appears stock LP12.

Condition appears to be good, but hard to tell by photos only. $3000 asking price.

My main concern is the Aro, and what to do if something goes wrong with this 20 year-old tonearm. With Naim out of the business, are there any third-parties providing service?  Have seen an arm top come up for sale on occasion, but am otherwise assuming replacement parts are pretty much non-existent.  Also, other than listening, how can I tell if the unipivot is worn out?

Sadly, my initial feeling is that the Aro ship may have sailed, but would still very much appreciate any advice you can offer. 

Thank you!

Hook

Posted on: 24 August 2017 by Richard Dane

Hook, I would check with Naim first on this.  Parts may now be in short supply or gone but I think that service work is still feasible.  

Unipivots are quite simple and therefore robust - this is one of their major advantages over other types. The main issue will be whether the pivot point has been damaged or blunted and whether the bearing pillar needs a service.  

Posted on: 24 August 2017 by Hook

Thanks Richard - will do.

Posted on: 24 August 2017 by Hook

Got a quick reply from Steven Hopkins.

We can no longer service Aro and I am unaware of any 3rd parties that offer this.
Posted on: 24 August 2017 by Richard Dane

OK, well that's a shame. Have you asked Chris at AV Options?

Otherwise, you could try one of the tonearm specialists out there like Audio Origami.  They won't have spares but they should be able to do a basic service, re-wire (if needed) etc..  

Posted on: 24 August 2017 by Hook

Will try both AVO and AO - thanks Richard!

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Franz K

Hook

Its a pitty naim does not provide support for the ARO anymore.  Ive spoken with Peter from Cymbiosis just recently.  Apparently he can service AROs and has many of the components sourced. He can even get replacement bearings and the tops rewired if need.  So you may want to talk to him.

KR

Franz

 

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Hook
Franz K posted:

Hook

Its a pitty naim does not provide support for the ARO anymore.  Ive spoken with Peter from Cymbiosis just recently.  Apparently he can service AROs and has many of the components sourced. He can even get replacement bearings and the tops rewired if need.  So you may want to talk to him.

KR

Franz

 

Very encouraging - thanks Franz!

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Chris Bell

I would not worry too much about your ARO... I've had mine for 15 years and never had a problem.  Cymbiosis is a good source for parts should you ever need them.  

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Richard Dane

That's good to hear that Peter can support the Aro.

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Franz K

Yes, you cant do much wrong getting an ARO, and the retail value is quite up.  What Ive seen lately, s/h price is significantly over 1K

Posted on: 25 August 2017 by Loki
Loki posted:

I've had my aro since '97 and it went back to Naim for a service because of a problem, which turned out not be the arm at all, it was a roughed up thrust plate on the LP12.. The beauty is that the sapphire cup and the pivot suffer virtually no of wear under normal use, unlike the Ittok bearings which died and led to the purchase of said audio nirvana. The only real problem I've had was when I took the LP12 for a service in Leicester and when Peter opened the box we discovered that I'd managed to break the arm rest in transit. Armed with a tube of superglue, his fettlership solved the problem in seconds. So, buy with confidence

 

Posted on: 27 August 2017 by Skip
Hook posted:

Got a quick reply from Steven Hopkins.

We can no longer service Aro and I am unaware of any 3rd parties that offer this.

Surely the half life of the Aro is much longer than that of a typical Naim CDP.  When I see a reply like this I wonder what I will do with my CD555 in a few years?   Maybe I should stock a spare transport of my own?