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In the Forum: Analog Playback
In the Thread: Copper Mat on a Micro Seiki Gun Metal Platter
Post Subject: Do not ask me to prove it.Posted by Romy the Cat on: 10/31/2017
 measet wrote:
I'm not really thinking in Micro tonearm not at all in their cartridges but SME 3012R, flagship of Fidelity Research, SAEC, Audiocraft, Exclusive is on my scope. 
Some advice for vintage cartridges, momo as well I really welcome. 

I am not good to give advice. I personally love SME 3012R and after having a few other tonearms I wish I had all 3 of my tonearms SME 3012R. Does it means that I need to advice it? To me audio is very individualistic discipline.  It is like a type underwear that you ware. You do not want to copy anybody and you do not care if anybody copies you or follow your recommendations. It is about to find a proper underwear to what you feel… The same goes to advice about the mono cartridges. I for instance had 3 SPU Mono identical cartridges. One was beyond believe wonderful, truly stunning. My cleaning lady killed and two others identical cartridges that I got as a replacement are not so good, in fact they are very bad, including the one that I run on my Mono arm now. So, what can I recommend? I have no idea….
 measet wrote:
I agree with Wellinington, the bearing question is more complicated. 
Maybe there is reason that Micro used PB in their oil or just as a good anti-wear additive was common for lubing in that period. Now we cannot find easily such compounds so to replace the oil with original parameters is impossible. 
Compare to old one there are many modern oils but also dozen of forum topics where people are argue about what is good or not. 
I got an idea! One of my friend who is the CEO of the biggest petrol company in CEE for sure can help me to do some investigation. 
I'll took the oil out from one of my RX-5000 and I send to laboratory. 
We will know for sure the index of viscosity and much more data. No doubt the 30 year old oil is full with oxidants, moisture and wear contaminated incongruous materials. 
Really I don't know which is good, not to touch the Micro and keep the bearing in such glop or try to find a new lub for the engine refreshment and conservation? 

I feel different. I think that bearing question is not complicated and particularly the Micro original intend is not relevant. Over the 40 years since Micro was made there is a HUGE progress in lubrication, enormous, and the oils that we have today are much better then whatever Micro was able to see in the dreams. I am sure the same as the bearing material. Micro used steal for the bottom ball plate in RX5000 and I have seen a few of them that had very bad indentations. Today we would probably go with different materials, perhaps china, which would require very different lubrication. Years back, I had a theory that the RX5000 with steal ball and steal slightly worn up bottom plate, where the ball is sitting in very-very shallow hole is “better for sound”. Do not let me to prove it, I can’t.

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