Roksan Radius - Tweaks/Upgrades??

[Charlie Jefferson]

What can I do to improve my turntable's performance?

It came with the Nima arm, I've got it on a dedicated isolation plinth and connected to a Musical Fidelity X-LP8 phono stage. Oh and my current cartridge is a Goldring 2400.

What, if anything, is next? Other than a new turntable, which isn't an option yet.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Hi Charlie,

TBH, I think you are probably getting close to it's maximum performance.

You could start looking at MC cartridges (and the Nima will certainly support them, as will your X-LPS) but given the cost involved to improve on your 2400 - you are probably looking AT-OC9 territory - I'd probably wait until the new TT becomes an option.

Can I ask what you feel it's lacking, or is it just the desire to get it working it's absolute socks off?

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Hi FBSF,

It's the latter, I suppose.

I really enjoy vinyl since re-acquainting myself with it a couple of years ago, and I just want to maximize my level of performance.

I have some money set aside for an upgrade but I'm probably going to plump for an amp or speakers. So in the meantime it's a case of getting the most from what I've got.

Out of interest though, what kind of money is the MC cartridge you mentioned? Secondly, what's the the (basic) differences between MC and MM carts in sonic terms?

 

[fatboyslimfast]

The OC9/III goes for around £420, but LPGear in the US have the Mk II for $339 (bargain!) and the benefits should be increased detail with improved separation between instruments, and a more natural timbre.

Surface noise also tends to be reduced as the higher price level allows for a better diamond, giving a more "black" background.

At this level the improvements are going to be relatively subtle though - not the sort of night/day change you would get from new speakers or amps.

 

[Anonymous]

How about a DC motor upgrade?

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Thanks Fbsf, being a ham-fisted Luddite I would have to get a dealer to affix that. It's not really the kind of thing one can demo though.

As for the DC motor uprgade: I have absolutely no idea what that is? Would you mind explaining it in terms of cost, possible sonic improvement and installation?

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Have a look at Origin Live's website, it tells you all about it. To cut a long story short it replaces the cheap ac motor in your turntable and replaces it with a precision DC motor and power supply, it will improve the dynamics of your turntable tenfold. I don't have it done to mine but by most accounts it is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to any turntable. I think it starts at about £300 for the basic upgrade but you can spend more for a more advanced upgrade.

 

[Al ears]

Hi Charlie, You don't state if you have the acrylic or veneered version but if it is the latter you might try replacing those horrendous adjustable feet.

I have the veneered version and if you unscrew these feet even a little bit the feet become very whobbly as are screwed into cheap MDF. I intend to replace mine pretty shortly!

 

[Anonymous]

Alears,

What are you going to relpace them with?

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

Alears:
Hi Charlie, You don't state if you have the acrylic or veneered version but if it is the latter you might try replacing those horrendous adjustable feet.

I have the veneered version and if you unscrew these feet even a little bit the feet become very whobbly as are screwed into cheap MDF. I intend to replace mine pretty shortly!

I've got the acrylic version. Feet seem okay.

I'm intrigued by the motor upgrade but would need a few positive reviews to sway me.

 

[Al ears]

Shevchunko, I intend to replace them with ISOKINETIK ISOrb feet.

Used them on my old Rega Planar 3 once, brilliant!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Alears,

I'll look into it. I also have the veneer and the feet are pony

 

[Anonymous]

Charlie,

Have a word with Origin Live, they may be able to demo it for you. Some of their stuff is awesome

 

[Anonymous]

If you have an old rega rb 300 arm, you can surely use it instead of that terrible unipivoted nima arm. I did this and there is no comparison. Roksan without its arm is a very energetic turntable player, very different in sound from the first old radius model (and that is another story). No problem with holes: rega rb300 fits perfectly in it. and the sound is better. i have many cartridges, but until now the best with this tweak is rega exact (that can't be mounted - among other things - on nima arm).

 

[Charlie Jefferson]

That sounds interesting.

So the Rega arm trumps the Nima arm I currently use, in your opinion?

Being an utter dunce I'd have to have this fitted by a dealer. Is it an easy install?

Around £200 seems to be the going rate. Is that about right?

Btw, my turntable is a Radius 5, to be exact. Is the Rega arm still a possible option?

 

[Anonymous]

Rega rb300 fits perfectly in roksan radius. Of course you are speaking of the NEW Radius. I never felt at ease with nima arm so i decide to try this tweak, moved by desperation for the results with nima. another more expensive combination is to replace Nima with another roksan arm. but it's not so cheap. Rb330 is easy to install, of course, but you have to remove nima arme before. the problem is that roksan sells radius as a complete machine