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Reassembled Yamah tonearm from two broken ones. Would it matter?

stormobile

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Dec 16, 2024
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Hi all, I've recently ordered a vintage Yamaha GT-750 turntable that UPS destroyed in transit. The micro lift was broken off and while fixing it I also destroyed the SME socket by overheating it while soldering. So, I've found another broken tonearm from Yamaha GT-2000 (YA-39 model name) that was selling for 100 bucks with the bent tube. Upon inspecting both tonearms I found out that they are geometrically identical and have the same bearings. The unexpected difference came from the tube itself - the gimbal into which the tube goes is 4 grams heavier on the YA-39 (made from metal vs plastic) and the bent tube itself has a 2-gram insert on the side that goes into the gimbal. I've managed to attach my lightweight tube to the heavier gimbal. Geometrically the tonearm stayed the same I guess 220mm +-2mm but weight-wise wise it is the hybrid between lighter original and heavier YA-39. I think the difference would be around 2-3 grams on the tube side in the gimbal. Should I worry about that given that it didn't affect my ability to balance the arm?
 
You'll have a bit higher effective mass, but it's unlikely to matter much.

When soldering SME sockets, insert a headshell to act as a heatsink.
 
I think you'll be fine. Unless something goes horribly wrong the record is the weak link, and the cartridge is 2nd.

Back when I was playing records I was always upgrading, or wanting to upgrade, my cartridge. Some people upgraded their tonearms, but I never considered that. The only time I heard a defect from the turntable itself it was usually a speed-defect with a worn belt or drive wheel, or once a cheap "record player" where i could hear "rumble".
 
You'll have a bit higher effective mass, but it's unlikely to matter much.

When soldering SME sockets, insert a headshell to act as a heatsink.
Yeah, I learned that after the fact. Picked up AT-VM95ML at the local shop to test if I could hear any obvious issues and I can't. It tracks, doesn't jump. Think it's fine other than setting up this turntable made me appreciate the technics sl1200 that I had previously more.
 
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