Townshend Elite Rock Mk III / Rega RB300 tonearm question


Unpacked this classic from the mid 90's.  I was overseas for many years and had this lovely TT in storage.  Recently unpacked it and am now playing music with it.  The original dealer-installed Benz Glider HO still works/sounds great too

 At that time, these tables were sold with a Townshend-installed Rega RB300 tonearm mounted on Townshend's custom mount which allows for a crude VTA adjustment via a locking thumbwheel.  This table supplies RCA jacks mounted on the rear of the arm mounting board... with wiring from the arm soldered into the RCA plugs.  I recall the USA distributor at the time was in Houston TX and the tables saw their final assembly there for US sales.

Question -- for those that might remember -- was the Rega arm that Townshend installed and sold with these tables stock Rega arms with stock wiring, or was the wiring upgraded prior to installation?  I can't tell from looking at the arm.  Of course since 1983, when the RB300 was introduced, it has become well-known that the factory wiring of the arm is perhaps it's greatest weakness.

I am thinking through, for this table/arm, whether I should pursue a wiring upgrade, or whether the wiring already better-than-stock Rega.

If any seasoned analog lovers can remember, I would be very appreciative!!!
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Showing 2 responses by dover

If you could post a picture of the wire from arm to RCA's on your system page - there is a good chance of identifying the wire. I used to sell Rocks in the 80's. A popular combination at the time was Elite Rock/RB300/Audio Technica OC9. I suspect the VTA adjustment/RCA's might have been a dealer add-on or user add-on if preowned.

Hi - unfortunately, can't help on the cable id -we only sold the earlier MkII & reference - so best option would be Max Townshend or possibly Rega may be able to give you some history.