Latest addition-Techics SP-25 with AT-1500 Tone arm

[kuruvilajacob]

Hi folks,
I just managed to get a near mint Techics SP-25 with Audio Techinca AT 1500 transcription Tonearm. I set it up and played one record and I am impressed with the accuracy in speed and distortion free sound reproduction but one thing I noticed was that the alignment of cart was not in line. Just to make sure I tried the overhang which was almost 12mm more than the specified overhang ofn12mm shown in the specs for this tone arm. The only way I can get it to 12 mm would be to drill new holes on the arm base which may not be easy. It's a beautiful tonearm and is going to be made again in limited quantity by Audio Techica for US $ 2350. If any forum members can give suggestions, I would be grateful. I don't think I will be able to drill into the original plinth which will mess the cosmetics of the plinth and I don't know what material the plinth is made of. I shall post pics of the TT soon

 

[anilva]

SP-25 is part of the broadcast line of Technics turntables after the SP-10. They look very good and if I remember correctly, the tonearm is mounted on a separate armboard/plinth isn't it? Why can't you fix it on a different plinth or move the tonearm away to reduce the overhang.

The other option is to use another 9" arm and use the AT tonearm elsewhere.

Please post pictures.

Cheers.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Thank you Anil for your valuable advice. I am thinking of fixing a Ortofon arm in place of the AT arm. Before that i will try to move the AT-1500 arm on the SP without cutting the plinth. I think the original base must have been for the TPA arm . i will post a few pics of the Technics SP-25 with AT-1500 tonearm

 

[arj]

Beautiful ! thanks for the pics. isnt the armbase made out of wood ? even if not, it should be easy for any carpenter to make a new armbase out of for you to drill ?

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

Try the SME style converter on which a circular mount can be attached. It enables you to slide the base forward and backward and get to the right pivot spindle distance by hit and trial.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

Even without the best of alignment, the sound stage is wall to wall and very very impressive. The arm must be considered one of the best money can buy. The low base is addictive, the mids are clean and crisp and worth every penny spent and efforts taken in buying it. I am using a Shure 97 XE cart for this arm. A denon 103 should give even better results. I am very keen now to use the same arm after moving the arm position to a to get better alignment. I will keep you posted

 

[reubensm]

Hi folks,
I just managed to get a near mint Techics SP-25 with Audio Techinca AT 1500 transcription Tonearm. I set it up and played one record and I am impressed with the accuracy in speed and distortion free sound reproduction but one thing I noticed was that the alignment of cart was not in line. Just to make sure I tried the overhang which was almost 12mm more than the specified overhang ofn12mm shown in the specs for this tone arm. The only way I can get it to 12 mm would be to drill new holes on the arm base which may not be easy. It's a beautiful tonearm and is going to be made again in limited quantity by Audio Techica for US $ 2350. If any forum members can give suggestions, I would be grateful. I don't think I will be able to drill into the original plinth which will mess the cosmetics of the plinth and I don't know what material the plinth is made of. I shall post pics of the TT soon

When it comes to accuracy, nothing can beat a Technics Direct drive.

 

[reubensm]

Is the SP25 a 110volts or 220 volts model?

 

[kuruvilajacob]

It may have been 120 volts model as shown on TT but it has been converted to 220 volts but it works on 50 or 60 Hz

 

[Gerry_the_Merry]

SME Conversion Equipment Customized FOR Most Tonearm | eBay

My carpenter says he can even make the circular contraption for me to mount on an existing SME base to convert it to a suitable base for other arms and keep its sliding properties intact.

 

[kuruvilajacob]

I managed to re-align the arm to it's correct alignment position using the Stevensen protractor. The arm is now fixed only on one screw as I don't want to drill a hole on the original plinth. I have been too busy to audition it after the re-alignment but from first impression, my Shure 97 XE appears to play better on this arm than 2M red. I will need to do more listening to asses the final result. I will post pictures of how I managed to re-align sometime today