Vintage Hi-fi
- Thread starter nando
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I think I can make the 25th.
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Hmmm Rob! 774, the arm made with often horrible sticky or rattly bearings, castings that looked disgusting, Allen bolts that were often rusting on delivery and a later exit cable that beat many suspended belt drive decks....... Ghastly thing to use as well, the lift-lower often not staying up and counterweight decoupling that sometimes sagged over the years. Mission decided to direct couple the counterweight later on - a bit of an about face in my view....
It is possible to have a very rosy view of some vintage products (like I do of the Quad 33, which looks fab but with original if modified circuitry is still way behand what a pair of modern IC's can offer) and I do appreciate the surviving 774's should be ok after thirty plus years - and it CAN perform very well, but a Rega RB series arm, even the brass-n-Loctite 250 based models, can see off a 774 most of the time if they're set up right using an armboard that suits the more solid build (in other words, preferably not a metal one in my experience).
Apologies, had to dive in there - old age you know
RobHolt
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Hmm indeed. I've owned three of them, one in 1980, one about 5 years ago and one now. All fine on all counts. The bearings are heavily pre loaded and will have survived better than contemporary design such as the Ittok and Syrinx PU models. I've even dropped a 774 onto a hard floor and it survived fine so they are more robust than they look.
The very first versions with the heavy grey cable and circular shaped corners to the mounting plate were rougher castings.
The later ones using the more traditional shaped SME plate were of much cleaner build.
A 774 eats an RB alive IME. Ironically it's more 'Rega' in design ethos than any RB series arm. The Rega's are good but sound a bit dull and leaden next to a 774 which pushes things along with more zing and zest, accurate or not. Cleaner top end though on the Rega arms.
I have both counterweights and yes I agree the solid type is down to Mission not understanding what the design was about..... The 774 was sold by Missionas their product but is entirely a John Bicht design and was produced exactly as his plans and patent stipulate. After Bicht left the uk Mission revised the arm slightly and offered the solid counterweight.
Fresh sorbothane can be fitted today in place of the original stuff which is turning to goo after all these years.
OTOH I've seen plenty of SME 3009s with saggy stems, loose bayonet sockets, rattly horizontal bearings, gummed up lift devices etc.
So I think the ageing of arms - assuming they worked properly when new - is pretty much luck of the draw.
They all contain interference fit parts, rubbers and oils so all will need some TLC after 30 years.
If you're coming to the Scalford show you can hear the 774 on one of your favourite TTs, the SL150
The very first versions with the heavy grey cable and circular shaped corners to the mounting plate were rougher castings.
The later ones using the more traditional shaped SME plate were of much cleaner build.
A 774 eats an RB alive IME. Ironically it's more 'Rega' in design ethos than any RB series arm. The Rega's are good but sound a bit dull and leaden next to a 774 which pushes things along with more zing and zest, accurate or not. Cleaner top end though on the Rega arms.
I have both counterweights and yes I agree the solid type is down to Mission not understanding what the design was about..... The 774 was sold by Missionas their product but is entirely a John Bicht design and was produced exactly as his plans and patent stipulate. After Bicht left the uk Mission revised the arm slightly and offered the solid counterweight.
Fresh sorbothane can be fitted today in place of the original stuff which is turning to goo after all these years.
OTOH I've seen plenty of SME 3009s with saggy stems, loose bayonet sockets, rattly horizontal bearings, gummed up lift devices etc.
So I think the ageing of arms - assuming they worked properly when new - is pretty much luck of the draw.
They all contain interference fit parts, rubbers and oils so all will need some TLC after 30 years.
If you're coming to the Scalford show you can hear the 774 on one of your favourite TTs, the SL150
Yes.
