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Headphoneus Supremus
I think getting the overhang right is your challenge. That's how far the stylus protrudes over the spindle. If you don't get that right your alignment arc will be off. Then you can get it right on the outer point but not the inner and vice versa. For that you need to slide the cartridge up or down both screws loose. Yes, that's a hassle. But if you have 1 cartridge right you can do it beforehand on the other by just making it the same distance to the collar.I don’t see this arm as being particularly difficult to adjust. Far from it. Where things get faffy for me is alignment (not vta), swapping out headshells (I know, not an issue with the kind of arms you’re advocating), adding/removing effective mass, choosing the right mat, etc.
The at-lp7 is a belt drive.
I’m 0 for 2 on MC carts I’ve tried so far. Those would be the Hana el and dl 103. There was something lacking in the low end for me. A lack of sweetness and good feelings in the body in response to the bass. I have a pretty good SUT and I think the Skoll is a fine pre.
There is just something about MM that I like. Perhaps more solidity and punch. Perhaps more euphonic. If I have to go much higher in price than where my rig is now, I’m not ready to take that leap.
I recently bought and set up a u turn orbit as a gift for somebody. A fine table but I wouldn’t say it blew me away (though maybe it doesn’t have the arm you’re referring to). Also the at lp 7 arm isn’t quite a 1200 clone, being J shaped and having different effective mass. I too avoid using a 1200 for serious listening.
On my fixed arms I can just move the whole arm. On my s_shaped I won't, because then the other cartridges are all off kilter.
I never realized this until I got this TT how easy a sliding SME base is, or rotatable arm-mount. Before I only had 1 hole where the arm was fixed. Like my Linn, Pro-ject and Clearaudio. They did have height adjustment at least.
I agree that mats can make a huge difference but don't worry to much about thickness. But I don't agree on using a mat on a perspex platter. Anything that mimics vinyl is best at transporting vibrations out.
If an MC doesn't get you bass it's probably the arm and the platter (mass). Don't use a felt mat. Compare it to hammering a nail in a plank when you hold it in mid air. Same as when you nail it to a beam with inches of isolation between it.