Technics EPA-100

preliminary

...preliminary in images : most of the sources here need re-scanning and the original japanese dedicated catalog is still in Japan, awaiting shipping...


First of a successful line of LP record tonearms which sported -and still do- one of the lowest friction coefficients : less than 5mg for each plane.
When you see the current Jelco SA-250 being used everywhere specified at 20mg of friction (twenty !), it gives a sense of what is worthwhile and what is cheap.

Also 5-step variable dynamic damping, 0,5mm thick titanium nitride wand, twenty ±0,5µ roundness tolerance ruby ball bearings, zinc diecast base, adjustable VTA and - success !

Variable damping allows to tune and precisely match cartridge compliance for optimally damped resonance, lowering the Q factor.
Denon used it first before all manufacturers went further with Biotracer tonearms and other electronica-filled systems. Same result in the end, even if the mechanical approach proves to remain often a bit more stable through time...

Part of Technics' "R&B" series, the EPA-100 is an evolution of the research made on the SL-1200mkII ; it saw quite a few later versions customed for the SP-10MK2 and SP-10MK3 which however seem less sought after.