Transrotor ZET-1 and Moerch DP-8 tonearm

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

Impressions from the Moerch DP-8 Tonearm​

Following my earlier post on this forum regarding the Transrotor ZET-1 and Glanz 10B tonearm (https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/transrotor-zet-1-and-glanz-10b-tonearm.39270/), and my quest to put together a $10K turntable that competes graciously with today’s high end TTs, I tested the Moerch DP-8 tonearm. As you may recall, one of my key requirements was the ability to have a removable head shell. The DP-8 is a little different by providing a removable arm tube instead. Moerch manufactures arm tubes of different mass for better matching with the used cartridge and comes in 9 and 12 inch lengths.



I received the DP-8 arm well packed and was surprised to see how well organized all its parts were in their box. The instructions were excellent, apart from some language idioms that required deciphering with the aid of the visuals within the accompanying manual. There are a couple of YouTube videos that helped as well. When I took out the tonearm, I was stunned by how beautiful it was. Definitely jewel level!!






On the set up, it is very similar to all well designed arms with the addition of the side weights, for which there are clear instructions on how to set up properly. Otherwise, all adjustments were straightforward. The arm base was a special order from Transrotor and it added about $1,000 to the overall cost of the solution.

The sound​

The DP-8 is a very relaxed sounding tonearm. The soundstage was formed well behind the speakers and it was wide and deep. The timbres were outstanding and the DP-8 appears to allow the qualities of each cartridge to come out unobstructed. It certainly has dynamic and deep bass and very palpable highs. The midrange was excellent and mostly influenced by the cartridge’s sonic signature. Compared to the Glanz 10B, the 10B formed the soundstage just behind the speakers and had similar soundstage dimensions as the DP-8. Listening to Lauryn Hill’s Unplugged 2.0 and Patricia Barber’s Cafe Blue, the DP-8 rendered the music as if the musicians were part of a gathering, playing for a group of friends after dinner in your living room. The 10B made you feel as if you were in a small club sitting close to the stage. I enjoyed both performances!

Associated equipment​

Turntable: ZET-1 base deck with M-1 Reference power supply; Simon Yorke S9
Tonearm: Glanz 10B with ZET-1 armboard; Tri-Planar U2 Mk VII Classic with carbon arm tube
Cartridges: Shelter Harmony; Accuphase AC-6; Ikeda 9xx and SAI; Lyra Skala; VDH Frog, Transfiguration Orpheus
Head-shells: MSL, Ikeda, Ortofon and AS Arche
Phono Amplifier: Accuphase C-47
Preamplifier: Ypsilon PST 100 Mk 2
Amplifier: Accuphase A-80
Speakers: German Physiks HRS-130 and PQS-302

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

Last week I received an additional 12" arm tube from SORA sound for my Moerch DP-8 to give me the ability to utilize one more cartridge with the DP-8.

Concurrently, I received the ZYX Ultimate Exceed Omega X, for which I have heard many good things but never had a chance to try on my own system. I also received a van den Hul phono cable to compare against my go to Ikeda cable. Once installed, I will come back with an update on the sound.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

Yesterday, I installed the XYX Ultimate Exceed Omega on my new DP-8 armtube. I had to add one more counter weight to facilitate the cartridge. Not much play time but out of the box, it sounded great (more about the first impressions on the ZYX Omega thread). It would be interesting to hear more about the DP-8 from WBF members that use it. More to come once I have put more listening hours in a few weeks.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

The experimentation continues ....

Out of the closet is this Souther/Clear Audio tonearm, where it was safe-kept for over ten years. A new carbon armboard is in the final finishing stage. It looks awesome. No listening sessions yet. Mike and I will come back with impressions in early January. We will mount a Lyra Skala. Basile

 

[Mendel]

Hi Basile!
I have a DP-8 mounted on my modified J.A. Mitchell Orbe turntable. I think it sounds fantastic, as you describe. Not a well known arm in North America but I think it offers great performance for the relatively modest cost. Nice to be able to vary the mass of the tonearm and length just by changing arm wands.
Mehran at Sorasound is a joy to work with as well.

 

[Basile: Locrian Audio]

Nice set up you have there! I love the Moerch tonearms and I have been a fun since 1993 when I purchased a DP-6 for my Simon Yorke S4 turntable to replace the original Pluto tonearm. Never looked back. Twenty-one years later I installed the DP-8 on the Transrotor with great results. Soon, I will install it on the Kronos Pro LE. I will write my impressions sometime in February.