Sunday, August 8, 2010

Michael Lim Underslung Counter-Weight suitable for Rega Turntables and Tonearms


Underslung Counter-weight with end-stub : USD100.00
(inclusive of 4.5g and 9.5g thumb-screw weights)
Additional weight (14.5g) : USD10.00


Also available in ALL stainless steel look!
(Concealed stainless steel grub screw lock)

This stainless steel counter-weight (model CWT) is specifically designed for Rega turntables (Planar 2/3. P1, P2, P3, P3-24, RP1, RP3, RP6, P5, P7, P9, P25 ...) and tonearms ( RB100, RB101, RB220, RB250, RB251, RB300, RB301, RB303, RB330, RB600, RB700, RB1000 ).

Care has been taken in the designing of this counter weight so as to bring the weight in line with the cartridges, lowering the centre of gravity, thus improving the sonic performance. The anti-resonance counter-weight adaptor further enhance the sound effect.

Rear view of counter-weight

This counter-weight also retrofits all stock stainless-steel end-stubs including integral RB101 end-stub :


Counter-weight without end-stub : USD75.00
(inclusive of 9.5g thumb-screw weight only)
Additional weight (14.5g) : USD10.00
End-stub(with 4.5g thumbscrew weight only): USD31.00


Counter-weight on RB301
Counter-weight on RB250
All stainless steel look Counter weight  on RP6

Add-on thumb-screw weights

This counter-weight is extremely flexible in design. In addition to the basic counter-weight, one or two thumb-screws (combinations of 4.5g, 9.5g and 14.5g) could be attached to the bottom of the counter-weight or/and the end of the stub which makes it simple for switching to heavier cartridges (e.g. Denon 103/103R and Dynavector 10x5).


4.5g, 9.5g & 14.5g thumb-screw weights

Standard counterweight comes with 4.5g and 9.5g thumb-screw weights
Add USD10.00 for 14.5g thumb-screw weight (optional)


Easy fine VTF adjustment 

By adding a suitable thumb-screw weight, you can achieve various requirements for different cartridges without having to change to a new counter-weight.

Fitting thumb-screw weight


The thumb-screw weight at the end stub also facilitates fine VTF adjustment.




To summarise the advantages of using my CWT : 

 1. It retrofits all stock Rega stainless-steel end-stubs including integral RB101 end-stub in case you do not wish to remove the stock stub.            
 2. Easy fine VTF adjustment.
 3. No problem with the lid as the CWT is even lower than the stock counterweight.
           

Robert of Michigan (with P3-24) has commented:
Hello Michael, 
It's Bob in Michigan. I received the counterweight yesterday.It was a very easy setup, and looks great. 
The difference on my heavily upgraded P3-24 was readily apparent in the bass,which was more taut and better defined. As impressive ,if not more so, was the difference in the soundstage. It was more detailed,more space between instruments, and a better sense of the recording space. The fine tune adjustment was a real help in zeroing in on the right tracking force . Thank you for such a well- designed product!

Euan Robertson (with RP40) has commented:
Hello Michael, 

Following the success (beyond my expectations!) of the under slung counterweight for my Rega RP40, I am keen to proceed with the double pulley and aluminium sub platter upgrades next. By the way, the counter weight (CWT) was bought primarily to allow the original lid to fit over my newly fitted Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge, which needed your spacer (from my last TT) to raise the arm from the supplied Rega cart. I have read many times that this is a common problem with Rega. What was the biggest surprise however, was the sonic difference - even after reading other users results on your site, the greater overall clarity, bass depth, individual instrument definition, and lowered noise floor took me completely by surprise. Looking forward to the next tweak! 

Regards 
Euan Robertson

Read more : Review in hi-fi avenue: by Lam Seng Fatt:
... I fitted Michael Lim's end-stub and underslung counterweight to the RB300 tonearm of my Rega Planar 3 and the change in sound was immediately discernible - the bass went deeper and became more powerful, the sound opened up and became more transparent and there was greater clarity overall....

I replaced the plastic end-stub and counterweight with Michael Lim’s steel end-stub and underslung counterweight. There was a dramatic difference - the low bass went deeper with more definition and the mid and upper-bass filled up to give the music lots more body and richness while retaining the RB250’s inherent transparency.
Yul (with P5) has commented:
....I then bought from Michael the underslung counterweight and the sound further improved with an extended range. The bass improved drastically.....

Chris Tasker (with P5) of Canada commented:
....I also installed the counterweight extension you sent. Perfect - it nicely brings up the capability to balance the DL103R I have in aluminium headshell...

... I probably noticed the biggest difference with a lower hung counterweight then maybe the double pulley upgrade from mr Lim....

Farid (with Planar 2) of Malaysia commented:
MLim, I have tested my Planar with your tweaks. What can I say is, WOW! Everything's seem clearer, smoother, faster & tighter. Looking forward for my next upgrade. Those epos speakers complete the combo. Thank you

Joe (on RB300) of Chicago commented:
Under-slung counterweight added to my RB 300 tonearm. I was amazed at how much this mod alone improved the resolution of my Ortofon 2M Blue, increasing dynamics, low end heft and adding a much more refined top end, even before adding the additional mods.

Daniel Lee (Plywood plinth Planar 3) of Kuala Lumpur commented:
The under-slung counterweight was damn good, a lot of improvement, bass was just fantastic ... Thanks!        

Jepson Teoh of Klang (Michell Tecnodec TT with RB250) commented:
Spent the afternoon listening to various records. I adjusted the vtf by ear and feel. First off, better definition across the board. Images more solid. There's even slam!
Well done bro. 

Roger Clarke of Barbados with upgraded Rega Planar 3 commented:
I couldn't believe the sound when I first tried the underslung weight. I just sat up in disbelief. I think that upgrade was even more effective than anything else I had tried up to that point.....    
Regards

Richard of  Canberra with upgraded Rega Planar 3 commented:
To sum up I have installed a number of mods to my Planar 3 but this one takes top spot for the most dramatic improvement. Since then I have enjoyed many LPs including some ones I am very familiar with that seem to be remixed such is the difference. I love the fine adjustment screw which made it easy to adjust the cartridge to the correct VTF

Tony of Cumbria, United Kingdom with his upgraded Rega RP3 commented:
I did install counterweight in my Rega RP3 and it worked a treat thanks.                                             
Tony      

Robert Lopez of California commented on his Planar 2 with sub-platter and counter weight upgrades:

Now that my TT is set up properly and my records have been deep cleaned, the listening experience has moved to another level. Sound staging seems deeper and I'm hearing more detail. It's amazing to hear how much music are in those grooves! Thanks Michael for your great work. 

Cejatan of Queensland commented on Counter weight upgrades on his RP6:

Although I have problem trying to take out the original stub, I still managed with your direction to install the counterweight. With only this, the high registers opened by and the sound was more spatial and stereo separation was much better.

Jimmy Ng of Klang commented on Counter weight upgrade on his Mitchell Gyrodec with RB300 tonearm:
Notice a big improvement to the sound. Sound became more refine from top to bottom frequency. Separation of the instruments was marvelous. Thank you. Jimmy

Eddy Lim of Singapore commented on Counter weight upgrade on his RP6:
Hi Michael, 
Finally got the under slung weight hooked up after so many months with good results especially on the bass. 
Regards 
Eddy

Yann Richard of Reims, France, commented on Counter Weight upgrade on his RP3:

Hello Michael 
Your counterweight is a great improvement! All is cleaner and base is now controlled! 
Many thanks for your work. I think I'll go back to you for other purchase... 
Kind Regards!

Wes of Calgary commented on his upgrade Rega TT :
I Received the Counterweight in the mail today and the first thing I did was rushed upstairs to put a reference lp on to listen to what I have now , and then I put your counterweight to hear the difference. Since I basically have minimal noise floor, and no kind of electro-magnetic interference from anything , the sound was great before, but after I put the Counterweight on, The sound became greater. Everything evened out along the entire spectrum. The heights are high, the midrange is perfect, and the base was picked up a little more. It is true that what you don't have, you don't really know what you are missing; the muddy sound that I first listened to in the beginning before all the mods were performed are gone. On thing that I noticed most of all, was the bass became more vibrant, tight, and clear.                                          

Wes Anderson


Dirk Steermann of Germany, commented on Counter Weight upgrade on his RP3:
Hi Michael, 
I am so happy with ordering the counterweight as well.The technical building of this part is quite unbelievable! Michael, I love it! So I also ordered a new electronic stylus gauge. When it arrives, I will install the counterweight first.... 

Your underslung counterweight now runs about a year on my RP3 with a Ortofon 2M Black+Dr. Fuss-PSU. It's only a pleasure : colourful midrange, deep soundstage, punch und a powerful bass-performance. Every vinyl I haven't heard with this set-up before, it's a surprise!!! Amazing!. Thank you so much! 

Best regards! 
Dirk


6 comments:

  1. Hi Michael
    Today after I installed the underslung counter weight with the end stub
    The bass go deeper and more definition, the mid are more open and transparent with great clarity,
    The high was a dramatic much better more details and refine.
    The soundstage is deeper and wider and lower noise floor
    Thanks Michael for your great work

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Hi Michael,

    I’m looking into a aftermarket counterweight mod for my 2016 P3. With Tonearm RB330. Because I have a Nagaoka MP-110 installed and i shimmed it 4mm. And need a lower counterweight because of dust cover clearence. Will your counterweight mod work on my tonearm? I did’nt see it listed in the tonearms that work with it. But just checking. Regards, Joel.

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  4. Hi Joel.

    My underslung counterweight is also good for both RB220 and RB330 tonearms.

    Best regards,
    Michael

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  5. Hi, will this fit a tonearm with end stub 1/2inch or 12.9mm diameter?
    Thank you.

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