AVID ACUTUS SP TO SP REFERENCE or new Arm or what?

3125simon

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2020
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Uk
Hello, I have an Avid Acutus SP with a SME IV and Koetsu Urushi vermillion. Overall I’m very happy with the sound, but is can be a little “thick and slow” in the bass and as I’ve been listening a lot in our Covid lock-down, I came to thinking about how to improve things?
- The SME IV is a weak link... what is a good replacement that will work with my Koetsu?
- Koetsu - I love the sound of the midrange and the rich tactile midrange, but it’s not the fastest and it’s low output is a bit noisy with my Vitus RP102. I have a nice offer on an Onyx platinum to open the sound out (but keep the Magic?)
- Upgrade to SP Reference. Seems rather expensive for a motor driver at 9k£!!
- Tone Arm cable - I have a Furutech silver Arrow 2 but having upgraded my cables to Ansuz C2 recently with a frankly amazing improvement is the way to go.....
You help and advice most welcome....
 

Nemal1

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2018
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I use an Acutus reference with Triplanar SE and Urushi wajima. I’d suggest changing the arm first. The SME IV is good but perhaps you could consider a series V or Conrad can make numerous arm board adapters if you went with a different manufacturer. This will allow maximum benefits with future cartridge updates.
When things finally return to normal perhaps you could audition the reference supply?
An alternative suggestion could be your phono stage?
Good luck with your search.
 

hogen

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2018
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100
148
Oslo, Norway
Hello, I have an Avid Acutus SP with a SME IV and Koetsu Urushi vermillion. Overall I’m very happy with the sound, but is can be a little “thick and slow” in the bass and as I’ve been listening a lot in our Covid lock-down, I came to thinking about how to improve things?
- The SME IV is a weak link... what is a good replacement that will work with my Koetsu?
- Koetsu - I love the sound of the midrange and the rich tactile midrange, but it’s not the fastest and it’s low output is a bit noisy with my Vitus RP102. I have a nice offer on an Onyx platinum to open the sound out (but keep the Magic?)
- Upgrade to SP Reference. Seems rather expensive for a motor driver at 9k£!!
- Tone Arm cable - I have a Furutech silver Arrow 2 but having upgraded my cables to Ansuz C2 recently with a frankly amazing improvement is the way to go.....
You help and advice most welcome....

I have the Acutus SP Reference with a SME V with nordost internal wiring, Lyra Atlas SL, Nordost Odin 2 phono cable and Burmester 100 riaa. The sound is not at all "thick and slow". I have not compared it directly with exact same setup with my Bergmann Galder and Technics SL-1000R, but it is definitely in the same class as these.
 

3125simon

Well-Known Member
Apr 26, 2020
90
97
83
59
Uk
I use an Acutus reference with Triplanar SE and Urushi wajima. I’d suggest changing the arm first. The SME IV is good but perhaps you could consider a series V or Conrad can make numerous arm board adapters if you went with a different manufacturer. This will allow maximum benefits with future cartridge updates.
When things finally return to normal perhaps you could audition the reference supply?
An alternative suggestion could be your phono stage?
Good luck with your search.

Thanks for your feedback. I spoke to Conrad and he was very helpful - still have difficulty to think about 9 k£ for a power supply...
I’ll probably get a SME V to tighten the bass. I find my Vitus phone stage to be good - I previously has a Allnic h1500 which had great presence but was noisy and soft at the frequency extremes....
thks
 

Nemal1

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2018
365
215
120
61
You will probably get more benefit from the power supply once you have upgraded the arm. If you get the 5, try and upgrade the arm cable and there are internal silver cable options available as well. Try unique audio who generally have a large range of them for sale. Best of luck
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
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335
I had an Avid Acutus SP with SME V and Koetsu blue Azule. Maybe my setup skills not good but I could only get slow and thick sound from this setup. Sold the SME V and tried Thales Audio reference chopstick arm with the Koetsu. Better but still not experiencng the lush and emotional vocals that the Koetsu is supposed to be famous for. Swapped out for a Benz Micro LPS. Very nice. Swapped out for a DS Audio Master 1 - even nicer but DS 1 had other issues some of my own making. So, it went back for repairs. Now using the LPS - very nice. I am still hoping one day I can get my Koetsu to sing. From research, Koetsus need heavy effective mass arms. Still head scratching for the moment. Does not help that Acutus can only take 1 arm at a time
 

Nemal1

Well-Known Member
Dec 9, 2018
365
215
120
61
I prefer a triplanar on my avid acutus reference having previously used an SME V.
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
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335
Joeling--FR66SS(+B60 of course);)

BruceD

Gulp. I am under the impression this FR66 is not easy to find nowadays. What does +B60 mean ?
 

BruceD

VIP/Donor
Dec 13, 2013
1,509
576
540
Gulp. I am under the impression this FR66 is not easy to find nowadays. What does +B60 mean ?

Yes the 66SS's are hens teeth but worth the effort especially for the Koetsu's--one of my finest recollections was my long body Onyx in that Arm with the B60 of course;)!

I luv the ProAc Carbons-I've heard the 6's-and you prefer the Focals -- Hmm Interesting!

Its the Stabilizer for that Arm adjustable while playing.

I believe the S/H Hi End seller up that alley on Hong Kong Island has them at present-his name is Tom but I cannot remember is Firms Name.

-maybe the HK fellows here will chime in--he is very well known there I've been many times --its on the 4th floor I recall.

BruceD

Screen Shot 2020-06-25 at 1.46.23 pm.png
 
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howiebrou

Well-Known Member
Jun 29, 2012
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I had an Avid Acutus SP with SME V and Koetsu blue Azule. Maybe my setup skills not good but I could only get slow and thick sound from this setup. Sold the SME V and tried Thales Audio reference chopstick arm with the Koetsu. Better but still not experiencng the lush and emotional vocals that the Koetsu is supposed to be famous for. Swapped out for a Benz Micro LPS. Very nice. Swapped out for a DS Audio Master 1 - even nicer but DS 1 had other issues some of my own making. So, it went back for repairs. Now using the LPS - very nice. I am still hoping one day I can get my Koetsu to sing. From research, Koetsus need heavy effective mass arms. Still head scratching for the moment. Does not help that Acutus can only take 1 arm at a time
I also have a Avid Acutus SP, with SME V and LPS. sounds great but sold my V with cart yesterday and now wondering what to replace it with. I asked Conrad yesterday if I could fit a 12 inch arm and he said yes, with a modified armboard. He also reminded me that the acutus has a double arm board that can take two arms, one 9 inch and one 12 inch. Also Avid are releasing their own arms very soon ranging in price from 800pounds to 5500 pounds.
94304A32-8FF0-4BC7-9377-2CBB7573B86A.jpeg .
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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I also have a Avid Acutus SP, with SME V and LPS. sounds great but sold my V with cart yesterday and now wondering what to replace it with. I asked Conrad yesterday if I could fit a 12 inch arm and he said yes, with a modified armboard. He also reminded me that the acutus has a double arm board that can take two arms, one 9 inch and one 12 inch. Also Avid are releasing their own arms very soon ranging in price from 800pounds to 5500 pounds.
View attachment 66587 .

I thought you owned VDH Stradivarius in box? It sounds great with the SME V
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
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Yes, my VDH MS is going to go on my SME 3012RG first.....I’ve had my SMEV for 15 years. Decided on a change.

Oh ok you have the 3012r too
 

bonzo75

Member Sponsor
Feb 26, 2014
22,443
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2,710
London
I had an Avid Acutus SP with SME V and Koetsu blue Azule. Maybe my setup skills not good but I could only get slow and thick sound from this setup. Sold the SME V and tried Thales Audio reference chopstick arm with the Koetsu. Better but still not experiencng the lush and emotional vocals that the Koetsu is supposed to be famous for. Swapped out for a Benz Micro LPS. Very nice. Swapped out for a DS Audio Master 1 - even nicer but DS 1 had other issues some of my own making. So, it went back for repairs. Now using the LPS - very nice. I am still hoping one day I can get my Koetsu to sing. From research, Koetsus need heavy effective mass arms. Still head scratching for the moment. Does not help that Acutus can only take 1 arm at a time

Koetsu does not have lush and emotional vocals. Even SPUs are more lush and emotional.

But like Bruce said, FR 64s or FR66s if there is any hope of liking a Koetsu.
 
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joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
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So many temptations :eek:
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
51
335
I also have a Avid Acutus SP, with SME V and LPS. sounds great but sold my V with cart yesterday and now wondering what to replace it with. I asked Conrad yesterday if I could fit a 12 inch arm and he said yes, with a modified armboard. He also reminded me that the acutus has a double arm board that can take two arms, one 9 inch and one 12 inch. Also Avid are releasing their own arms very soon ranging in price from 800pounds to 5500 pounds.
View attachment 66587 .

IMG-3636.jpg IMG-3639.jpg
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
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335
howiebrou 's dual arm adapter gave me an idea to make one of my own. Made up 2 crude mockups with cutouts from my crude AUTOCAD LT drawings to suit my Thales Reference arm and a 12" or 9" FR arm. I will get my usual guy to laser cut the bits in CF in a few layers then epoxy glued together. Will also add another layer with standoffs like a simple lattice for rigidity. Wish me luck.

Please excuse the mess. My components are in the spare bedroom while the hifi room gets a new ceiling
 

howiebrou

Well-Known Member
Jun 29, 2012
2,789
3,635
1,470
howiebrou 's dual arm adapter gave me an idea to make one of my own. Made up 2 crude mockups with cutouts from my crude AUTOCAD LT drawings to suit my Thales Reference arm and a 12" or 9" FR arm. I will get my usual guy to laser cut the bits in CF in a few layers then epoxy glued together. Will also add another layer with standoffs like a simple lattice for rigidity. Wish me luck.

Please excuse the mess. My components are in the spare bedroom while the hifi room gets a new ceiling

Very nice. How do you like your DS Audio Master 1 on the Acutus?
 

joeling

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2014
175
51
335
Very nice. How do you like your DS Audio Master 1 on the Acutus?

I am quite embarrassed to say I had my first cart mounting mishap with the DS. The DS's body is a bit short so I had an adapter made to compensate. With the Thales, the cart is mounted on a jig. Managed to break the tiny tip of the cart. USD2k to fix. Right now, it is back in Japan as I detected a channel imbalance. Anyway, while I had it mounted and channle balance adjusted on the preamp, I liked it a lot. Enough to persist and see this through. Very nice (sorry my vocab limited). I hope to get it back soon. However, I am a bit miffed that in less than 6 months since acquiring the so called top of line from DS, they have a new top of line coming. Always a bit behind chasing.
 

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