Next turntable - Techdas AF3P: merits of different arm choices?

[Bergm@nn]

I currently enjoy a Bergmann Sindre with an Audio Technica ART1000 cart to listen to records which are my primary source. I've had it for about 5 years now and beginning to think of my final turntable.

I'm currently thinking that the AF3P would suit me quite nicely and so have begun thinking about which arm might go well with it (and also match my ART1000 but that's not a deal breaker). I'm not thinking of spending as much as an SAT arm but something around the £5-7k bracket which I'd hope would get me something decent that helps extract the best from the AF3P. I've been looking at Reed, Schroeder, Graham, Kuzma etc.

So I'd be grateful for recommendations and particularly if you can describe the principal benefits of that specific arm, and even better if you've heard it matched with the Techdas etc.

 

[gian60]

I had Sindre for some years and for me is the best in his target price,then sold and bought af3P with more body and scene an possible to put 4 tonearms
I have Sat,graham elite 150
And Triplanar U2 se 9.8”
I suggest to put in Af3P or Triplanar like mine,9.400€ in italy less discount or Bergmann Odin

 

[shakti]

As AF3P is similar to classic MS SX 5000 or SX 8000 the first choice for tonearms should be from Japan.
A preferred choice would be a tonearm, which follows old classic design standards, like:

- Ikeda 407
- Glanz 124 or 1200

also vintage would work:

- Fidelity Research FR64s, FR66s
- MS Max 237

I like the

SME 3012R

as well.

If you look to modern premium tonearms, I have good experience with

- Acoustical Systems Aquilar or Axiom

or currently :

- Durand Tosca




As I like Tonearms with SME Headshell, my personal favorite within your budget would be Glanz 1200

 

[bonzo75]

As AF3P is similar to classic MS SX 5000 or SX 8000 the first choice for tonearms should be from Japan.
A preferred choice would be a tonearm, which follows old classic design standards, like:

- Ikeda 407
- Glanz 124 or 1200

also vintage would work:

- Fidelity Research FR64s, FR66s
- MS Max 237

I like the

SME 3012R

as well.

If you look to modern premium tonearms, I have good experience with

- Acoustical Systems Aquilar or Axiom

or currently :

- Durand Tosca


View attachment 94667

As I like Tonearms with SME Headshell, my personal favorite within your budget would be Glanz 1200

I would love to hear any of the AF tables with FR 66, Glanz, and an LT

 

[Bergm@nn]

So Techdas AF3 now procured successfully. Next job is choosing the first arm and getting the arm board ready to accept it.

Right now very intrigued by the Reed 5A.

 

[shakti]

So Techdas AF3 now procured successfully. Next job is choosing the first arm and getting the arm board ready to accept it.

Right now very intrigued by the Reed 5A.

depending on the tonearms you are going to fit, it is interesting to try out the old (original) gunmetal Micro Seiki Tonarmbases as well.
Some tonearms do prefer the much more heavy gun metal base.

 

[Bergm@nn]

depending on the tonearms you are going to fit, it is interesting to try out the old (original) gunmetal Micro Seiki Tonarmbases as well.
Some tonearms do prefer the much more heavy gun metal base.

Do all the older Micro Seiki tonearm bases fit the AFP3 or are their specific model numbers I need to look out for?

 

[shakti]

You have to look for the MS AX bases fitting to:

model 1500, 5000 or 8000

You will find the standard alloy model and the heavy gunmetal version.

I assume, this will help:

AX-1	MICRO	MA-202, 303, 505, 505X, 505S, 701, 707X, CF-1, CF-2
	ADC	LMF-1, LMF-2
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-300C, 300A , 300MKII
	AUDIO TECHNICA	AT-1005 II,
	DENON	DA-303, 305, 307, 309
	EMT	929
	FR	FR-14, FR-24 MKII, FR-54
	GRACE	G-545F, 707, 840F, 840FB, 940, 945Silver, 709F
	PIONEER	PA-1000
	SAEC	WE-308N, 308SX, 407/23
	TECHNICS	EPA-99, 121S, 101S, 121L, 101L
	ORTOFON	RMG-212, RS-212,
AX-2	SME	3009/SII, 3009/SIII, 309, IV, V
AX-3	MICRO	MA-505 LX, 505 LII
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-400C, 400A, 400 MKII
	DENON	DA-302, 304, 308
	EMT	997
	GRACE	G-565F, 860F, 860FB, 960
	SAEC	WE-308L
	ORTOFON	RMG-309, RF-297
AX-4	SME	3012-R/II
AX-5	AUDIO TECHNICA	AT-1503 II, 1503 III
	FR	FR-64, 64S, 64B, 64FX
AX-6 G	MICRO	MAX-282, 237
	AUDIO TECHNICA	AT 1501 II, 1501 III
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-4000 MC
	FR	FR-66S
	GRACE	G-660P
	LUSTER	GST-801
	SAEC	WE-506/30
	TECHNICS	EPA-100
	VICTOR	UA-7045, 7082
AX-7 G		only RX 5000, SX 8000
AX-8 G	MICRO	MA-505X II, S II, 505 MK III, 808X
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-3000 MC, 300MK II
AX-9 GA	MICRO	MA-505X II, S II, 505 MK III, 808X
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-3000 MC
AX-9 GB	SAEC	WE-308N, 308SX
AX-9 GC	FR	FR-64, 64S, 64B, 64FX
AX-9 GD	MICRO	MA-505, 505X, 505S, 707X
	SAEC	WE-407/23
	AUDIO CRAFT	AC-300MK II
AX-9 GE	SME	3009/SII, 3009/SIII, 3010-R
AX-9 GF	AUDIO TECHNICA	AT-1100, 1010
AX-10 G		only SX 5000 II und SX 8000 II

​

 

[Nathanu]

I am enjoying the Acoustical Systems Axiom with the AFIIIP. Sounds great; also, the owner of the company is a pleasure to work with. My dealer left me with a setup error and then was out of the country. Dieter Brakemeier jumped on a video call to walk me through the easy fix. Quality gear and support.

 

[Argonaut]

So Techdas AF3 now procured successfully. Next job is choosing the first arm and getting the arm board ready to accept it.

Did you stretch to the AF3-P ? You will have to change your forum handle now

 

[puroagave]

So Techdas AF3 now procured successfully. Next job is choosing the first arm and getting the arm board ready to accept it.

Right now very intrigued by the Reed 5A.

Congrats on your new 'table. Until recently I owned an AFIII for several months with a Graham Phantom III and Ikeda IT345. I'd lean towards the Graham for your primary arm and add a high-mass 'arm later. The ART1000 needs a med-mass arm and the Graham will suit it perfectly.

 

[XV-1]

Congrats on your new 'table. Until recently I owned an AFIII for several months with a Graham Phantom III and Ikeda IT345. I'd lean towards the Graham for your primary arm and add a high-mass 'arm later. The ART1000 needs a med-mass arm and the Graham will suit it perfectly.

What made you move on, and what did you move to?

 

[puroagave]

What made you move on, and what did you move to?

I had a AFII lined up and a buyer for my III, so I sold it. Mine was the launch model with aluminum platter. I would not hesitate getting another, esp the newer "P" model with the high-mass platter. Alas the deal for the AFII didn't come through so I upgraded my SYD S10 for the time being.

 

[Solypsa]

... Alas the deal for the AFII didn't come through so I upgraded my SYD S10 for the time being.

Could be worse places to be parked on your analog journey

What tonearm is on your S10, if I may ask?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Is the Graham Phantom Elite readily available these days?

 

[Bergm@nn]

Is the Graham Phantom Elite readily available these days?

Precisely what I have ordered with 10” wand.

Lead time is end Aug/ early Sep.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Precisely what I have ordered with 10” wand.

How did you decide what length of wand you wanted with so many lengths available? What decision process led you to the 10 inch wand?

 

[Bergm@nn]

How did you decide what length of wand you wanted with so many lengths available? What decision process led you to the 10 inch wand?

Fairly basic logic rather than any insight. My current armboard means that I can accommodate a 10". If later I want to buy a 12" wand then I can then source a Micro Seiki armboard that will allow it to fit.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Fairly basic logic rather than any insight. My current armboard means that I can accommodate a 10". If later I want to buy a 12" wand then I can then source a Micro Seiki armboard that will allow it to fit.

Thank you.

 

[christensenleif@msn.com]

my experience from my Melco is that the gunmetal armboards and their added mass is well worth the money
a guy on ebay sells gunmetal/bronze clones for USD 250+
I have already 2 from him and they work well

Micro Seiki AX-3G Turntable Armboard for Micro Seiki SX8000/RX5000 Turntable | eBay

This is one set Micro Seiki AX-3G Armboard which is made by Bronze and good to use forMicro Seiki Turntable. Micro Seiki: MA-505L II / MA505LX. ORTOFON: RMG-309 / RF-297. DENON: DA-302 / DA-304 / DA-308.

www.ebay.com