I have just had the Arko tonearm fitted to my LP12 along with the Kore upgrade.
The arm replaced the Pro-Ject 9 arm which came with my Majik level deck on purchase some 5 years ago. I've also over the years had Trampolinn, Karousel and Lingo 4 fitted but I still have the Adikt MM cartridge from then - still ok according to dealer's microscope.
Impressions - the Arko looks great and feels much better engineered than the Pro-Ject - the record lift and drop is very precise, damped and the anti-skate doesn't involve the fishing line and weight malarkey.
There is a plastic arm rest/clip which is quite tight - it requires slightly more force to release it from he clip than I would like but that's the only negative I have. This will presumably loosen off with use.
On sound - - well there is a huge uplift in sound quality - fewer pops and crackles, better bass retrieval, more cohesive music presentation - tremendous rendering of voices and acoustic instruments - although having had Kore fitted at the same time it's difficult to know which part contributes what to the improvement.
My dealer - Robbie Ritchie in Montrose - has sold quite a few he tells me - either replacing older Ittoks with bearing trouble or upgrading Akitos. Thanks to Robbie for collecting my LP12 and returning it and installing it - an hours drive each way!
I guess I am just about at Selekt level ( formerly Akurate) now except for MC cartridge but I will stick where I am until the Adikt needs replacing.
The arm replaced the Pro-Ject 9 arm which came with my Majik level deck on purchase some 5 years ago. I've also over the years had Trampolinn, Karousel and Lingo 4 fitted but I still have the Adikt MM cartridge from then - still ok according to dealer's microscope.
Impressions - the Arko looks great and feels much better engineered than the Pro-Ject - the record lift and drop is very precise, damped and the anti-skate doesn't involve the fishing line and weight malarkey.
There is a plastic arm rest/clip which is quite tight - it requires slightly more force to release it from he clip than I would like but that's the only negative I have. This will presumably loosen off with use.
On sound - - well there is a huge uplift in sound quality - fewer pops and crackles, better bass retrieval, more cohesive music presentation - tremendous rendering of voices and acoustic instruments - although having had Kore fitted at the same time it's difficult to know which part contributes what to the improvement.
My dealer - Robbie Ritchie in Montrose - has sold quite a few he tells me - either replacing older Ittoks with bearing trouble or upgrading Akitos. Thanks to Robbie for collecting my LP12 and returning it and installing it - an hours drive each way!
I guess I am just about at Selekt level ( formerly Akurate) now except for MC cartridge but I will stick where I am until the Adikt needs replacing.