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Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 03 Nov 2011 21:11

Hi,

I have just snapped up a Zeta Tonearm for £45 with an as yet unknown turntable attached to it! I have bought sight unseen from an ad in the local classified from a elderly man who was selling a variety of top notch gear most of which i could not afford. He said that the turn table had an issue with not being level and would need some work on it, but the tonearm was in good condition and had a cartridge with good stylus on it.

I was wondering a little more about the arm. Most importantly, whetehr it is at all suitable to relace the syrinx PU2 on my ariston RD11s should the turntable it comes with not be up to much.

Would appreciate any information. Would also appreciate knowing its worth, for insurance purposes.


Thanks,

Dan.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby abril » 03 Nov 2011 23:45

:shock: :shock: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 03 Nov 2011 23:53

is that a good sign?
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby abril » 04 Nov 2011 00:18

To give you some idea
http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/t/154743.aspx

High eff mass approx 16g suitable for lowish compliance cartridges,brilliant bearings,great build quality and heavy.
Shouldn't be a problem on the RD11
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby Marknoir » 04 Nov 2011 03:09

Hi

Great buy!

I've lived with Zeta in it's hey-day for a few years. Now they go for about US 500.

Problematic area is sticking bearings. Adjust the counterweight so the arm is totally level, put anti-skate to zero, and move it from side to side and up and down. See if you can feel any catching. The arm tends to sound very dark, somewhat reserved, with huge bass. At the time it was the anti-pode of the Alphason, which is open, brighter but lighter sounding arm. Not sure how it competes with today's top arms, but in late 80's - early 90's it was considered just a notch below Fletcher's The Arm NC800, top arm in those days.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 04 Nov 2011 08:25

Sheesh!

Thanks for the information. I am quite intrigued to see what turntable its attached to now. the guy described it as an old belt drive 2 speed turntable that probably needs some work because it doesn't seem to be sitting level. he said it was pretty top of the range when he bought it. Hoefully some Pink triangle or roksan.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby LousyTourist » 04 Nov 2011 12:19

I need to have more elderly gentlemen in my life, especially the types that would have top notch kit.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby satanfriendly » 04 Nov 2011 14:07

£45 !!! You have just grabbed one of the vinyl bargains of the century. It is one of the arms I lust after. Legendary in its own right.

If you are a bit unsure as to its condition I would send to J7 at Audioorigami and have it checked out.

Immensely jealous :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 04 Nov 2011 18:03

Depending on the turntable, i may have an RD11s and a syrinx PU2 up for grabs. I live in a small 2 bed terrace and have a 4 month old baby, and a wife that is already complaining about my latest purchase! so wont be able to keep them aswell.


I will keep you posted.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby satanfriendly » 04 Nov 2011 18:15

so wont be able to keep them as well


You are going to let your wife and child go for the new deck?

To be honest I'd see what the new deck is and consider the Zeta on the 11 if the new deck is not up to scratch. Be interesting to see what it is though. You'll have to let us all know if you intend to free up the 11/PU2.
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 04 Nov 2011 18:27

Will do, i love it to bits though, it would never be an easy decision. the other deck will need to be something very special, and to be honest i will have to hear the arm on both tables too. the syrinx is a lovely arm and the set up sounds wonderful. if only i had more space.


When i told the misses, she said let me know when it arrives and i'll see how well it dries the clothes!!
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby audioorigami » 04 Nov 2011 19:52

45 squid!!!!!!!

what a bargain

:(
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby abril » 05 Nov 2011 10:52

~The question now is - what's the turntable [-o< [-o<
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Re: Zeta Tonearm

Postby youngdand » 09 Nov 2011 22:39

Should find out tomorrow. Quite intrigued in what the cartridge might be too.
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