Micro Seiki BL-51 w/ SAEC WE-308 & Stax UA9 Wand

[mmr24]

Hello
I just bought an SAEC WE-308 to try to mount on my BL-51. It is going to be a tight fit with the 235mm pivot to spindle distance(5mm overhang). It came with the AS-500E stabiliser base so I could not refuse. I realize that the dust cover may have to be removed.

Shortly after that purchase I saw a wand for the Stax UA-9 for sale in Australia and bought that hoping I could use it with my UA-7. The UA-7 wand can be used with the UA-9 and the effective lengths and PTS match so it seems that it could work. Hoping to get a lower effective mass to use with my AT33PTG/II cartridge.

Please chime in on either subject if you have any advice, thoughts, or ideas.
Matt

[MR F]

I don't think the SAEC will be a very tight fit. My Lustre's overall length is greater than the SAEC, mounts at 225mm, and I'm sure I could move it 10mm further out without fouling the dust cover.

Can't answer about the Stax, sorry.

[mmr24]

Thanks Mr F. My Stax UA7 touches slightly when the lid is down(@ 227 PTS with a Denon DL103). I may have drilled that hole slightly too far back though. I will check them both when I mount the 308. Have to find some arm board material this week and get it ready. The Stax UA9 wand should work in a UA7 I'm just not sure how
sure how well.
Matt

[BeEvil]

The UA-9 wand will work perfectly in the UA-7 body. It would be preferable to have the UA-9 body as well, as its a better build and design.

Besides that, the best part is you'll be able to use a wider range of cartridges.

BeEvil

[mmr24]

That's good to hear about the UA9 wand BeEvil. I think many people had the UA7 wands on the UA9 but not the other way around.

As far as mounting the WE-308, I am looking at the manuals and don't see the angles to go with the 235mm pivot to spindle distance. Are 30 deg. at the spindle(to the horizontal) and 60 deg. at the pivot(to the vertical) common angles that I can use to locate my arm board hole? Without the template, if I swing a 235mm arc from the spindle, across the arm board, what other data point will locate the hole along that arc on the arm board? Probably something easy that I am missing...
Matt

[Alec124c41]

Any point on the arc will work,but you want to select a point where the arm won't hang over the back or side, and will look good.

Cheers,
Alec

[mmr24]

Thanks Alec-I see the light now. Always enjoy your posts.
Matt

[mmr24]

The WE308 sounds very nice. I set up the Denon DL103 on a 10g Sony PSX6 headshell with excellent results. The arm has a distinct clear sound from the mids on up with very nice bass response. Tracking at the end of an album is the best I have heard yet. It just fits with the cover on but I should have mounted it more toward the side of the table.

[mmr24]

Here is a few photos.

[BeEvil]

Looks great! Enjoy.

BeEvil