Upgrade RB300 Tonearm or Not?

Always upgrade... Let do our part for the economy...

No, it is NOT worth it.

If you are willing to go used, you can get a substantial upgrade that will easily outperform any modified RB300 by a huge margin. Narrod mentions the VPI, and you can also look at arms like a Bluenote, Morch, Hadcock etc.

You’ll be hard pressed to spend $700 used and not get better ... even an older Ittok or Audiocraft (providing good condition) will knock your socks off compared to a modified RB300.

Note, your VPI will handle just about any arm, however you do not mention what cart you are using. You have to match the arm to the cart you want to use.

Regards
Paul

Yea Pauly, this has been my basic, gut level reaction. I know what the VPI MKIV is capable of, and it will go anywhere that my bank account would allow for. I have been on the scout for a VPI JMW-10, but I have some hesitation on that arm. They are available at reasonable prices on the used market. It seems that both the 10.5 & the 10.5i have made considerable improvements over the original 10... but of course there goes the $$. The Hadcocks have perked my interest, but don't know anything about them. Meanwhile... RB700? used SME or Graham? AQ PT-8 or PT-9? Linn Ekos or better? So, as you can see, I am rather swimming in it all. I do want VTA adjustment and anti-skate. So, far I have been using a rather entry level cartridge on my AQ PT-6... Grado Platinum Reference. I like the signature of the Grado sound and have been looking to upgrade to a Sonata or better. There are alot of good cartridges in the $300 price range and up, and up, but this is another can of worms. The audio universe is vast and mysterious Captain Kirk.

I disagree the RB300 isn't worth tweaking -- especially if you're using a Grado Platinum or Sonata. If you were moving to a cartridge that didn't match the arm, or you were moving up to a high res cart, then it would make sense to get a better arm, but the RB300 is perfect for a Sonata. I own this combo and it does very well together.

You can easily find an RB300 for $200 and substantially upgrade it for less than $350. You'll have a very nice arm for $550. I don't know how you came up with $700. Here's my list:

$23 Michell VTA sleeve from eBay Buy it now

$159 Michell Tecnoweight from Galen Carol

You have lots of options for rewiring:

$205 Incognito Kit

$139 Cardas Tone Arm Rewire Service using the same wire as in the Incognito.

Do it yourself using any wire you want. I wired mine for about $100 using Cardas 4x33, WBT ends and some parts from the hardware store (rubber hose, braided steel hose, and shrink wrap tubing).

buy a Michell Technoarm for $800 or so new here and you get all those features of a modded RB300 but it's way better...

Personally I would try to find a Clearaudio Satisfy arm with the ruby bearings.. mine kills my old RB300 with Technoweight and you can get it with a Rega mount. Sometimes these go up for sale on audiogon for a great deal! This is a very underrated arm in my opinion, as I had intented to buy a Graham Phantom and now I'm quite happy with my Satify arm that upgrade urge is gone... and I'm an upgrade junky....