Audio Origami
I recently sent a Rega RB250 pickup arm up to J7 at Audio Origami.
I had the following done:
internal and external rewiring - with correct earthing
foam damping in the arm tube
new bearing sets for both planes
Johnnie is great to deal with - a true gent.
The arm is back and back on the Voyd and carrying the Denon 103.
It is dramatically better in every respect. The tracking and tracing are both much improved. The "old nail" sound like a more expensive model with a posh tip. It's as clean as a whistle now and LPs that previously sounded like they might break up are now more than fine.
The next step is to see if either of my Decca Londons will work hum free.
I'd recommend anyone with any arm to get it 'Origamid'
I had the following done:
internal and external rewiring - with correct earthing
foam damping in the arm tube
new bearing sets for both planes
Johnnie is great to deal with - a true gent.
The arm is back and back on the Voyd and carrying the Denon 103.
It is dramatically better in every respect. The tracking and tracing are both much improved. The "old nail" sound like a more expensive model with a posh tip. It's as clean as a whistle now and LPs that previously sounded like they might break up are now more than fine.
The next step is to see if either of my Decca Londons will work hum free.
I'd recommend anyone with any arm to get it 'Origamid'
Comments
Have you looked at the Midas 103 headshells on Lencoheaven. You can get copy versions on eBay for £35. Supposed to transform the sound. Will look out the eBay link later.u
I have seen the ally replacement bodies. Not too happy about adding metal into the equation but many have and it gets good write ups. If either of my Londons work well then they'll be off for a posh retip. If I still get hum then they'll be Ebayed. Then I'll either buy a very fancy MC or get the 103 retipped - not sure yet.
@Alan
He is def one of the better blokes in the game. Honest and reasonably priced IMV.
Does your rb250 have 2 earth wires one for amp and one for deck ? If the Londons don't perform Jim let me know before eBay !!
Yup, two earth wires. Connected up and working fine. The 103 has never sounded better. I've heard a wooden body with paratrace stylus - wasn't impressed but the system was so poor it was hard to tell anything TBH!
@Col
done!
Very pleased indeed.
My decca sg has always hummed a bit. Not really obtrusive or even audible when music is playing, so it's not hugely concerning.
The hum level changes as the arm swings across the deck. It's been suggested that it's probably picking up the transformer underneath. Would that be your opinion...?
My biggest problem is using Lowthers at 100 dB sensitivity, whereas your speakers are about 88dB I'd reckon. Therefore I hear it at least 10dB more noise than you everything else being equal.
I think the cubes may have even less sensitivity than you guess. They replaced some dynaudio audience 82 floorstanders rated at 86dB, and the cubes were noticeably quieter (still plenty loud enough). Or need the comparison be more complicated than that?
And - genuine question - how does sensitivity effect perceived cartridge hum? Wouldn't I just have my amp turned up louder than yours to achieve the same dB level? (all other things not being equal).
We need Colin to chime in here with his electronics knowledge. I'm getting out of my depth. But I do know that hooking up some less sensitive speakers to my gear gives less heard hum.
As is so often the case the low ceiling of my technical knowledge becomes apparent...
@-)
:-))