AT-LP5 Tonearm Repair / Replacement

[ashor]

Hi All
I have been gifted an Audio Technica AT-LP5 in "as new" condition, with the exception of the J-shaped Tonearm that has a distinct downward bend in it (see photo).

Has anyone had a similar issue with a Tonearm and managed to correct (i.e. straighten ) it? If so, I'd be grateful for any pointers / tips.

Failing that, does anyone know where I can get spares and / or alternative compatible parts from, as I've drawn a blank with AT themselves?

Thanks, in advance.

 

[daytona600]

All these chinese TTs have no spares if they break they are Landfill
Project/Rega £200/300 and will last decades & you can get spares

 

[ashor]

All these chinese TTs have no spares if they break they are Landfill
Project/Rega £200/300 and will last decades & you can get spares

Hi. Yes...so it seems. I've half a mind to sell it for spares/repairs and put the money toward a Project.

 

[ashor]

All these chinese TTs have no spares if they break they are Landfill
Project/Rega £200/300 and will last decades & you can get spares

What would be the equivalent Project / Rega soundwise?

 

[Al ears]

What would be the equivalent Project / Rega soundwise?

It's a £280 turntable package, you aren't going to get Rega at that price level.

 

[good_enough]

What would be the equivalent Project / Rega soundwise?

You have a built-in phono stage with the AT so it depends if you need that or have a phono input on your amp.

The nearest if you do need that feature is https://www.richersounds.com/pro-ject-t1-phono-sb-black/

 

[ashor]

You have a built-in phono stage with the AT so it depends if you need that or have a phono input on your amp.

The nearest if you do need that feature is https://www.richersounds.com/pro-ject-t1-phono-sb-black/

I use a Rega A2D pre-amp with the LP3

 

[good_enough]

I use a Rega A2D pre-amp with the LP3

Ah OK so the world's your oyster. Richers appear to have a wide choice under 500 wouldn't it be best to listen to a few? Only drawback is they don't do Rega.

 

[Al ears]

Ah OK so the world's your oyster. Richers appear to have a wide choice under 500 wouldn't it be best to listen to a few? Only drawback is they don't do Rega.

You are assuming he is in the UK.
If he is a basic Pro-ject turntable might be more price comparable.

 

[good_enough]

You are assuming he is in the UK.
If he is a basic Pro-ject turntable might be more price comparable.

Ah indeed. T'interweb and all that.

 

[ashor]

Ah OK so the world's your oyster. Richers appear to have a wide choice under 500 wouldn't it be best to listen to a few? Only drawback is they don't do Reg

 

[ashor]

I'm in the UK. 😀
Will a basic Pro-ject be noticeably better in sound quality than my AT-LP3?

 

[daytona600]

Whats your Budget
Project make TTs from £199 to £15,000

 

[good_enough]

I'm in the UK. 😀
Will a basic Pro-ject be noticeably better in sound quality than my AT-LP3?

In that case I recommend the course I suggested. Get your favourite records and a pair of cans that you're familiar with and listen. The LP5 (is it 5 or 3 by the way you use both?) got a decent review in WHF so who knows you might end up preferring a (non bent) copy to other choices.

From what I see of the very bottom of the range Pro-ject it has a conical stylus and the elliptical on the LP5 should outperform it. Also worth checking if that LP5 cart takes the range of ATVM95 styli (the Pro-ject can be upgraded with different Ortofon styli) as future headroom is also a consideration.

At any level, the bundled cartridge has a big impact on the sonic character of a turntable, independent of the quality of the turntable itself.

But yeah, listen. ...

 

[good_enough]

In that case I recommend the course I suggested. Get your favourite records and a pair of cans that you're familiar with and listen. The LP5 (is it 5 or 3 by the way you use both?) got a decent review in WHF so who knows you might end up preferring a (non bent) copy to other choices.

From what I see of the very bottom of the range Pro-ject it has a conical stylus and the elliptical on the LP5 should outperform it. Also worth checking if that LP5 cart takes the range of ATVM95 styli (the Pro-ject can be upgraded with different Ortofon styli) as future headroom is also a consideration.

At any level, the bundled cartridge has a big impact on the sonic character of a turntable, independent of the quality of the turntable itself.

But yeah, listen. ...

Just one thing to add on that. The cart on the LP5, the AT95EX, might be based on the old 95E not the current VM95 series. If so listen critically all the way to the end as that cart suffers criminal levels of inner groove distortion.

 

[ashor]

To be honest, as little as possible for as much of an improvement as I can get.
I'm a real "bang for buck" kind of guy.😄

I actually bought the AT-LP5 on FB for £100, as I figured it was a marginal improvement on my LP3 for which, I can probably get £100 (so, a free upgrade, if you will).

When the LP5 arrived, it had a bent tonearm, so the Seller refunded me and didn't want the LP5 returning.

I then figured I could get a new tonearm, but (as appears to be well documented) getting such a part for an AT turntable is like getting an audience with the Pope!

Then I looked for a different tonearm that might work with the LP5, but realised the cost would probably be around £200 for that alone.

In the beginning (during Lockdown, 2020) I originally bought the LP3 new and connected it to an Onkyo all-in-one unit I already had.

Then I picked up a (rather battered) Marantz PM5004 for 50 quid and ditched the Onkyo.

Then I picked up a Rega A2D for cheap before an "as new" Denon PMA-600NE came my way for £150.

Effectively, I am very gradually improving my set up for minimal outlay, which is actually quite fun.

In this instance, I have a couple of options...at least, as I see it:

1) Try to find someone to straighten the tonearm of the LP5 for minimal outlay or

2) Sell my LP3 and the LP5 (for spares/repairs) and add, say, £150 to it to give me around £350 to spend on a better TT.

I have to say that the LP5 being damaged has made me a bit nervous of buying another 2nd hand TT, but I realise that's what I'll probably have to do to get a noticeable step up from the LP3.

Sorry...bit of a long one there!

 

[ashor]

In that case I recommend the course I suggested. Get your favourite records and a pair of cans that you're familiar with and listen. The LP5 (is it 5 or 3 by the way you use both?) got a decent review in WHF so who knows you might end up preferring a (non bent) copy to other choices.

From what I see of the very bottom of the range Pro-ject it has a conical stylus and the elliptical on the LP5 should outperform it. Also worth checking if that LP5 cart takes the range of ATVM95 styli (the Pro-ject can be upgraded with different Ortofon styli) as future headroom is also a consideration.

At any level, the bundled cartridge has a big impact on the sonic character of a turntable, independent of the quality of the turntable itself.

But yeah, listen. ...

Thanks for this.
I actually swapped out the bundled AT91 stylus on my LP3 for the VM95e around 2 years ago and it was a big improvement.

 

[good_enough]

Thanks for this.
I actually swapped out the bundled AT91 stylus on my LP3 for the VM95e around 2 years ago and it was a big improvement.

Ah your posts make everything clear you have an lp5 and an lp3. The problem with coming on forums like this is that (unlike reviewers) nobody is going to have listened to every TT under four hundred quid. So you're way better listening yourself.

I only recommend Richer's as I've found them honest dealers and they have a good range in your price bracket from Pro-ject, Denon, AT etc. Looks like you've already realised the value of cart upgrades.

 

[ashor]

Ah your posts make everything clear you have an lp5 and an lp3. The problem with coming on forums like this is that (unlike reviewers) nobody is going to have listened to every TT under four hundred quid. So you're way better listening yourself.

I only recommend Richer's as I've found them honest dealers and they have a good range in your price bracket from Pro-ject, Denon, AT etc. Looks like you've already realised the value of cart upgrades.

Yeah..that makes sense.
I've also used Richer before (Q Acoustics 3010 speakers) and they really are second to none.

I've heard from a local Hi-Fi repair place about the bent tonearm and they say they can probably straighten it. If the cost is minimal, I really have nothing to lose I guess. That said, my understanding is that AT no longer has full spares available for the AT-LP5...(gulp!)

Soooo...I'm leaning toward selling both TTs and getting a brand new LP5X from Richer. That way, I'd have a slight upgrade on the LP3 (again for minimal outlay) and Richer's 6 year warranty (thus easing any breakdown concerns).

Last, but not least, the AT-LP5X comes with the VM95e and I'll have a spare VM95e, if I put the AT91 back on the LP3 when I sell it.

And then the next step might be the VM95ml...

Sound good to you?

 

[good_enough]

Yeah..that makes sense.
I've also used Richer before (Q Acoustics 3010 speakers) and they really are second to none.

I've heard from a local Hi-Fi repair place about the bent tonearm and they say they can probably straighten it. If the cost is minimal, I really have nothing to lose I guess. That said, my understanding is that AT no longer has full spares available for the AT-LP5...(gulp!)

Soooo...I'm leaning toward selling both TTs and getting a brand new LP5X from Richer. That way, I'd have a slight upgrade on the LP3 (again for minimal outlay) and Richer's 6 year warranty (thus easing any breakdown concerns).

Last, but not least, the AT-LP5X comes with the VM95e and I'll have a spare VM95e, if I put the AT91 back on the LP3 when I sell it.

And then the next step might be the VM95ml...

Sound good to you?

Sounds like you have it sorted but it might be a waste not to have a good listen if you're planning to go to Richer's anyway! You may end up where you started but it's quite enjoyable and a bit self indulgent sitting in s listening room auditioning stuff!

That stylus upgrade route on these VM95s does look attractive.

Good luck!