Canuck Audio Mart

I have an original Roksan Xerxes 'table and it seems the bearings are toast on the Artemiz arm. Since it's about a grand to send the arm back to Roksan for a rebuild, I was thinking of trying something else. I've had a Tabriz on it before, and know that the Rega is also a drop-in, but I think the Artemiz was a big step up in performance from the RB-300. Plus, the Rega must be re-wired at a minimum, and there are countless other tweaks for it. I've had the Clearaudio Satisfy suggested to me, does anyone have other ideas?
My current cartridge is a Grado Sonata, but I've also used a bunch of high output MC's as well. It feeds either an ARC SP-16 or Anthem PRE-1 tubed pre's.
TIA
Phil

Why not a better Rega arm like an RB700?

Just curious, what were they offering to do for the $1k upgrade to the Artemiz? (I have one, works fine, but am [at least] curious about upgrade, e.g. if it brought it up to spec. with a new production Artemiz $1k wouldn't be terrible expensive)

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Oh, Rega arm supposedly work just fine on a Xerxes. You might consider contacting Applause Audio, the owner has lots of experience with Xerxes.

Possible, I suppose, although from what I've read/heard, the RB700 is not *significantly* better than the 300

You could consider a VPI JMW 9 Signature, which is a drop-in replacement for the Rega, and a superb unpivot traditionally paired with the Grado Woodies by VPI themselves! Would work a treat with the semi-unsuspended Roksan.

The G note was just to re-do the bearings AFAIK, no other mods.

I know Rob at Applause from when he was on Queen E here in the T. Definately worth a call. Thnx.

You can order upgrade and parts from roksan and repair it yourself. If you have a old version the upgrade kit include new version of weight support and a new spring for the tracking force. Costed me around 150$ for the kit (bearing, spring, weight).

throw it in the garbage and tell your wife to buy you a nice xmas present for a change.

Or give me the arm as xmas gift

Hmmmmm......funny how the Tri-Cell tech didn't mention this to me.......

Thanks Frank, I'll definately look into this. Were the bearings difficult to replace, and/or need any special tools? I have no problem giving it a go.....

To all the others, thanks for the suggestions, especially the one for the better half. I'll check out the VPI JMW arm anyway.

Cheers

It would be a pity to dismiss a fully tweaked* Rega RB300 out of hand, it punches well above its weight (you can use a very good cartridge with it) and it matches the Roksan beautifully.

*The recommended tweaks of course (in order of priority) are:
• rewire the arm using Cardas, Origin Live or equivalent quality wiring
• replace the counterweight with an Expressimo, Kerry, Mitchell or other
• remove the tracking force spring and set tracking force using the counterweight
• use an aftermarket collet like the Michell which allows VTA adjustment

The Origin Live arms get rave reviews in the UK and elsewhere. I think Audio Eden carries them in Toronto.

A firend of mine did the bearing replacement. It's small but he said it was easy to do.

If I remember well the parts came from roksan directly and not the distributor (so 50% less expensive) and since it's small shipping was low.

The Artemiz is an excellent arm and in my mind next step to an upgraded Artemiz would be a SME IV or equivalent arms.

If you change your mind on repairing yours let me know if you want to sell it by PM.

I have lots of respect for the RB 300, having had one on the Planar 3 (my first "real" table) that I bought in university. I think I tried every tweak under the sun on that Rega. I've re-wired four or five by now, and compared one on a friends Xerxes to mine when it had a Tabriz on it. We tried both with a Grado Sig. 8 and a Benz silver, and we both felt the Tabriz was a better arm with both cartridges, although it wasn't night and day. Going from the Tabriz to the Artemiz was, so I don't think I could go back to a '300.
That said, the Audiomods RB250 looks interesting, even if only from a "modders gone wild" standpoint. If it works as well as it seems to be thought out, it's a screaming deal.

It is great that we still have these kind of choices available 27 years after "Perfect Sound Forever"

I've e-mailed Roksan directly on the parts and upgrades. I'll keep you posted. Thanks again.