Moth MKI...Rebirth of a Deck.

[poppachubby]

It wasn't my intention to photograph this venture, but I snapped a few anyhow. Frankly I am too excited and busy listening to make any profound comments.

Even the baby could see how deep I was in it...




Aligning the base, setting the VTA. Rubber grommets for spacing, thanks noob!!!







VTA is perfect, unlike my photo depicting it...





Snug and secure...




Final product, it looks much more flattering in person...

[poppachubby]

I can't even describe what I am hearing, it's so wonderful. Enhanced detail. So natural, realism is through the roof. Depth and staging also has an increased sense of realism.

I put on John Klemmer's Cry, it's fantastic. I can hear every last bit on information on the LP, no matter how subtle.

I'm in heaven...also, how cool does the Nag look now?

[JohnMichael]

Looking good Poppa! What a great tonearm. What alignment are you using for the cartridge? I do not use the Rega guage but the Baerwald alginment.

[poppachubby]

Oh John, you've never heard highs so sweet in your life. I have the Rega alignment and frankly, it looks and sounds great. Tracks like a real dream. The Nagaoka has broken in, as have my new tubes. This arm is beyond words. I can't believe how much more realistic everything sounds...these last few weeks, I have begun to leave the planet...I am going to a distant place John.

[JohnMichael]

Oh John, you've never heard highs so sweet in your life. I have the Rega alignment and frankly, it looks and sounds great. Tracks like a real dream. The Nagaoka has broken in, as have my new tubes. This arm is beyond words. I can't believe how much more realistic everything sounds...these last few weeks, I have begun to leave the planet...I am going to a distant place John.

I am glad but the Rega alignment is meant to reduce distortion in the innermost portion of the record and not the two null points. Using the two null points of the Baerwald or Lofgren alignment will reduce overall distortion and you may travel further than using the Rega alignment. I think the guage I sent you is the Lofgren alignment but it did not work with the Rega arm and the cartridge I was using. Enjoy now but there are always new plateaus to reach.

[barbarian]

damn. congrats. i wanna be like POPPA when i grow up.

[poppachubby]

Enjoy now but there are always new plateaus to reach.

I just may get the Expressimo weight straight away. There are a couple of others on the market as well. I will go down to my local shop and see what they carry.

damn. congrats. i wanna be like POPPA when i grow up.

My book will be on shelves soon. I was up most of the night, my wife came down to wake me up this morning for work...shaking her head. I had fallen asleep in my chair and the arm was making a sweet and wonderful, -plunk-, -plunk-, sound in the exit groove.

I hope you are still researching and learning what's out there for a next step.

Aside from sheer musicality, I am enjoying a huge improvement in the bass dept. Super refined and tight, it's as though I have a new subwoofer.

[JohnMichael]

I just may get the Expressimo weight straight away. There are a couple of others on the market as well. I will go down to my local shop and see what they carry.

Poppa with the RB 250/251 you will need to purchase a metal endstub. The Michell Technoweight has everything you will need plus it has tracking force adjustment.

http://www.takefiveaudio.com/mall/shopexd.asp?id=142

[hifitommy]

whut about a vta adjuster?

[poppachubby]

I've had a look at the VTA adjuster, but I am not sure how far I want to go with this arm. If I am going to drop several hundred more dollars, then I should have just bought a better arm to begin with. What do you guys think? As for VTA, mine is quite literally perfect right now, and the Nagaoka isn't going anywhere.

I must admit, I am a Rega convert. My longterm goal was a ProJect 9cc. One of the local shops here has one on a Linn LP12 and it's a great combo. Now I am thinking about an RB-700 or better.

So the question remains, how far should one go with an "entry level" arm? I have read that the counterweight makes huge strides in quality. I suppose if it's going to push the sonics past it's price point, I would be willing.

[JohnMichael]

I've had a look at the VTA adjuster, but I am not sure how far I want to go with this arm. If I am going to drop several hundred more dollars, then I should have just bought a better arm to begin with. What do you guys think? As for VTA, mine is quite literally perfect right now, and the Nagaoka isn't going anywhere.

I must admit, I am a Rega convert. My longterm goal was a ProJect 9cc. One of the local shops here has one on a Linn LP12 and it's a great combo. Now I am thinking about an RB-700 or better.

So the question remains, how far should one go with an "entry level" arm? I have read that the counterweight makes huge strides in quality. I suppose if it's going to push the sonics past it's price point, I would be willing.

Many prefer the RB250/251 arm over the others in the Rega line. There is a school of thought that the spring to supply downward force is not the best design. Springs can stretch and resonate. The arm is cast in the same way as their top of the line arms. When you look at all who use the arm either with their tables or modify slightly and rebadge you will be amazed. Moth, Michell, Origin Live come to mind as ones who mod the arm or use it as the base for their arms. I plan on using my modded RB250 on the next table I purchase if compatible. The Michell technoweight and Incognito rewire really make the arm sing.

[poppachubby]

I'll have to do some research. If I can make the arm competitive with others higher in the line, I am all for it.

[Enochrome]

Poppa, just purchased a Nag MP-30. The compliance specs worked better than the new 150.
I'll post with pics when it comes in.

[poppachubby]

Wow! Nice. That's a step above mine. You're going to love it.